Types of Child Abuse

What is Child Abuse?

Child abuse is doing or failing to do something that results in harm or risk of harm to a child.

Types of Abuse

• Physical
• Emotional
• Sexual
• Neglect

Physical Abuse

Occurs when a child’s body is injured as a result of hitting, kicking, shaking, burning, or other show of force.

Emotional Abuse

• Results from any form of abuse or neglect
• Can be associated with verbal abuse, which can harm a child’s self-worth or emotional wellbeing

Sexual Abuse

Any sexual activity that a child cannot comprehend or consent to includes:

• Fondling
• Oral-genital contact
• Genital and anal intercourse
• Exhibitionism
• Voyeurism
• Exposure to pornography

Neglect

• Physical neglect

  – Failing to provide food, clothing, shelter, or other physical necessities

• Emotional neglect

  – Failing to provide love, comfort, or affection

• Medical neglect

  – Failing to provide needed medical care

Did You Know?

• 90% of children who face abuse or neglect are abused by a caregiver or someone they know, not a stranger.
• 1 in 20 children have been physically abused in their lifetime.
• The majority of cases reported to Child Protective Services involve neglect, followed by physical and sexual abuse.
• Studies have suggested that up to one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before they are eighteen years old.