What Is Child Abuse
Generally, child abuse is divided into four types:
Neglect
Neglect is when a parent/caregiver does not provide for the basic emotional
and physical needs of the child on an ongoing basis. Examples of neglect
include not providing the proper:
- food
- clothing
- housing
- supervision
- safe surroundings
- personal health care
- medical and emotional care
- education
Children who are neglected physically and emotionally may not develop
normally. Some children may suffer permanent damage.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse includes anything a parent/caregiver does that results
in physical harm to a child. Physical abuse may happen if a child
is punished harshly, even though the parent/caregiver may not have
meant to hurt the child.
Examples of physical abuse include:
- bruises
- marks in the shape of objects or handprints
- shaking
- burns
- human bite marks
- fractures of the skull, arms, legs and ribs
- female genital mutilation
Physical abuse may result in a minor injury (such as a bruise) to a
more serious injury which could cause lasting damage or
death (for example from shaking a child).
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse occurs when a person uses power over a child, and
involves the child in any sexual act. This abuser is more powerful
because of age, intelligence, physical strength, control over the
child, and the child's need to be taken care of by others. The
offender gets the child to participate by using threats, bribes, lying and
taking advantage of the child's trust.
Sexual abuse includes involving the child in acts such as:
- fondling (touching the child in a sexual way)
- getting the child to touch the adult inappropriately
- oral sex
- inserting fingers, penis, or objects in the vagina or anus
- exposing oneself
- allowing a child to watch pornography
- involving a child in pornography or prostitution.
Most sexual offenders are people the children know.
Emotional Abuse
A parent/caregiver who continually uses any of the following
when interacting or disciplining a child is emotionally abusing the child.
- rejecting (e.g., saying "I wish you were never born.")
- criticizing (e.g., saying "Why can't you do anything right?")
- insulting (e.g., saying "I can't believe you would be so stupid.")
- humiliating (e.g., embarrassing a child in front of other people)
- isolating (e.g., not allowing a child to play with friends)
- terrorizing (e.g., scaring a child by saying "The police will come and take you away.")
- corrupting (e.g., always swearing in front of the child, or getting the child to participate in things against the law)
- not responding emotionally
- punishing a child for exploring the environment
Children who witness violence in their homes may suffer
emotional damage watching a loved one being physically
or verbally attacked.
