What is Child Abuse?
Child abuse is the physical, sexual, or psychological mistreatment of a child by a parent or other caregiver.
Child abuse may include any act or failure to act by a parent or other caregiver that results in actual or potential harm to a child. It can be an intentional act that harms which results in harm to the child. It can also be an unintentional act in not meeting or responding to basic needs.
There are four common types of abuse:
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The non-accidental physical injury of a child. The inadvertent result of physical punishment or physically aggressive treatment of a child.
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Any act of a sexual nature upon or with a child for the sexual gratification of the perpetrator or a third party, including anyone who allowed or encouraged it.
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Chronic attitudes or acts which interfere with the psychological and social development of a child. When a parent or caregiver harms a child’s mental and social development or causes severe emotional harm.
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Child-rearing practices which are essentially inadequate or dangerous. The failure to act on behalf of the child; not providing the care, supervision, affection, and support needed for a child’s health, safety, and well-being.
Neglect includes: physical neglect (failure to provide food or shelter, lack of appropriate supervision), medical neglect (failure to provide the necessary medical or mental health treatment), educational neglect (failure to educate a child or attend to special education needs), and emotional neglect (inattention to a child’s emotional needs, failure to provide psychological care).
If you, or someone you know, is in an uhealthy or abusive relationship call or text our 24-Hour Helpline: 216.391.4357 (HELP).
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