About Abuse

What Is Child Abuse?

There are four main types of child abuse: neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse and emotional abuse. Though each state may vary slightly in defining each type of child abuse and neglect, most include the following basic information, in accordance with Federal minimum standards found in the Child Abuse and Prevention Treatment Act (CAPTA).

Neglect is the failure to provide for a child’s basic needs, whether these needs are physical, like failing to provide food or water or appropriate supervision; educational like failing to educate a child or attend to special education needs; or emotional, like failing to provide proper emotional support or exposing the child to domestic violence.

Keep in mind that such examples are not always determined to be neglectful. Sometimes cultural values, community standards of care, accessibility to resources or poverty affect the way a parent cares for their child. In these situations, the family is in need of information or assistance. When a family fails to use the information and resources and the child’s needs continue to be unmet, further intervention may be necessary.

Physical abuse is physical injury as a result of any physical action that harms a child. The injury can range in levels of severity, from minor bruises to severe fractures or death. Such injury is considered abuse even if the caretaker did not intend to hurt the child. In some cases a serious injury may occur when a parent has inappropriately left a child in a dangerous situation; these incidents should also be reported to child protective services or law enforcement.

Sexual abuse includes any sexual activity with a child, such as fondling, penetration, incest, rape, sodomy, indecent exposure and commercial exploitation through prostitution 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, rejection or withholding love and support. Exposure to domestic violence can also result in emotional abuse of children.