What is Child Abuse?

What is Child Abuse?

There are four major types of child maltreatment: neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. Although any of the forms my be found separately, they often occur together.

Neglect is failure to provide for a child's basic needs. Neglect may be:

Educational (example, failure to educate a child or attend to special education needs).
Emotional (example, inattention to a child's emotional needs or exposure to domestic violence).

Physical (example, lack of appropriate supervision or failure to produce necessary food, shelter, or medical care).

Physical Abuse is physical injury (ranging from minor bruises to severe fractures or death) as a result of punching, beating, kicking, biting, shaking, throwing, stabbing, choking, hitting (with a hand, stick, strap, or other object), burning, or otherwise harming a child. Such injury is considered abuse regardless of whether the caretaker intended to hurt the child.

Sexual Abuse includes activities by a parent or caretaker such as fondling a child's genitals, penetration, incest, rape, sodomy, indecent exposure, and commercial exploitation through prostitution or the production of pornographic materials.

Emotional Abuse is any pattern of behavior that impairs a child's emotional development or sense of self-worth. This may include constant criticism, threats, or rejection, as well as withholding love, support, or guidance.