What Is Child Abuse?

Child abuse lasts a lifetime and Children suffer in many ways. When most of us think of child abuse we typically think about the physical abuse that children endure through severe beatings and other cruel and inappropriate punishment. However, child abuse can occur in other ways, too.

The various types of child abuse can include:

Physical Abuse – Acts that caused or could have caused physical injury or death such as severe beatings. These include any non-accidental injuries.

Emotional Abuse – Acts or omissions other than physical abuse or sexual abuse that caused or could have caused behavioral, cognitive, affective or other mental disorders.

Sexual Abuse or Exploitation – Involvement of the child in sexual activity to provide sexual gratification or financial benefit to the perpetrator.

Neglect – Failure to provide a child with age-appropriate care although having the financial means to do so, or offered assistance to do so.

Child Endangerment (some states) – Negligence that could reasonably have been anticipated to cause a child cruel or excessive, physical or mental pain.

Regardless of the type of abuse a child endures, it can have long lasting and serious effects.