  General Information on Child Abuse: Definition of Child Abuse and Neglect and State Laws
General Information on Child Abuse and Neglect: Types of Abuse and Neglect
Facts You Rarely Hear About Child Abuse
General Information on Child Abuse and Neglect:
Types of Abuse and Neglect
© 2003 by Laurie A. Couture, M.Ed, LMHC
Child abuse and neglect is the most egregious, inhumane, socially devastating crime that can be committed, short of murder. The damage that children suffer psychologically, physically, socially and sexually from parental or caretaker abuse and neglect can permanently alter brain function and cause lifelong psychological damage. Children growing up feeling hurt, fear, rage and hatred are also a danger to society, as the overwhelming majority of serious criminals were abused as children. Post traumatic stress disorder, hyperactivity, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, sexual dysfunction, shame and self hatred are the scourges that most abused children suffer as a result of being attacked and harmed by a trusted or beloved adult- those who are entrusted to care for, protect and nurture the child. Abuse victims who do not confront, process and experience their emotions about the abuse are at risk for passing on the cycle of violence and abuse onto their own children, spouses or to others in their families or communities, including animals. Child abuse prevention is a necessary solution to crime and violence prevention, beginning with transforming punitive, disrespectful attitudes towards children and abolishing all forms of corporal punishment.
Physical Abuse
Any action on the part of an adult or caretaker that intentionally inflicts, or causes to result, pain or physiological discomfort, non-accidental physical injury, for the purposes of punishment, containment or to release caretaker anger. This excludes accidents and necessary medical care. This includes:
- Hitting or striking any part of a child’s body with the hand or with objects
- Whipping or beating
- Punching
- Attacks
- Cutting or stabbing with knives, weapons or dangerous implements
- Pulling hair
- Depriving a child of the toilet or other physical necessities when the child needs these things
- Burning or scalding with hot water, cigarettes, fire, stove
- Electrical shock with tazers, etc.
- Restraining, locking or typing child to a closet, bed, tree, chair, etc. (Doesn’t include proper use of car seats, play pens, and medical necessity)
- Shaking
- Dragging, yanking or shoving
- Strangling, chocking, suffocation
- Forced labor inappropriate to developmental needs
- Disfiguring a body part
- Torture
- Attempted murder
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Sexual Abuse
Any action in which an adult engages a child under the age of consent in any type of sexual activity, including:
- Sexualized kissing
- Sexualized groping or embracing for adult sexual gratification
- Sexualized voyeurism of child nude
- Covert or overt exposure of the adult’s genitals for adult’s sexual gratification
- Sexualized fondling of the body
- Touching of a child’s genitals for the adult’s sexual gratification
- Adult asking/forcing child to fondle adult’s genitals/body
- Forcing child to masturbate in front of adult or adult forcing child to view adult masturbating
- Penetration of a child’s mouth, anus, vagina or penis with fingers or objects
- Rape of a child (genital penetration of either a male or female child by a male or female perpetrator)
- Taking pornographic photos/videos of child
- Adult forcing child victims to perform sex acts on one another
- Prostitution
Sexual abuse also includes any adult who forces a child under the age of 18 but over the age of consent to engage in sexual activity against the child’s will, and older children/adolescents who engage in sexual activity with younger teens or with young children (ie: Teenager behaving sexually with a younger child). Note: In cases of child/adolescent perpetrators, they are often also victims of sexual abuse, and are in need of specialized psychological treatment, not criminal punishment.
Sexual abuse happens to both girls and boys, and sexual abuse is perpetrated by both men and women. Unfortunately, society often overlooks the sexual abuse of boys and the fact that women and older girls do sexually assault and rape children in numbers higher than once believed, and their assaults can be both as subtle and brutal as assaults carried out by men and older boys.
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Psychological/Emotional Abuse
Caretakers who frequently yell, scream and swear at children can be just as terrifying as those carrying out a physical attack. These emotional attacks often include put downs, insults, sarcastic remarks, verbal harassment, threats of physical harm or abandonment, humiliation, comparisons with others, degrading a child’s personality, body parts or appearance and cruel name calling. This abuse leaves emotional, rather than physical scars, and can result in severe psychological dysfunction, including suicidal ideation, depressive and anxiety disorders, self-mutilation, self-hatred, immaturity, regressive behavior, irresponsibility, attachment disorders, inability to feel empathy and hatred and rage.
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Physical Neglect
Physiological deprivation, and inadequate, unsafe environmental conditions including:
- Denial of adequate, healthy food and nutrition
- Denial of liquids
- Denial of elimination/toileting needs
- Denial of medical or psychological health care
- Denial of sleep needs
- Denial of a safe, clean environment
- Improper clothing for the temperature
- Improperly fitting, worn out or dirty clothing
- Denial or lack of hygiene needs
- Caretaker leaves child to care for self
- Caretaker leaves child in company or care of inappropriate or dangerous people
- Caretaker engages in dangerous, reckless and illegal practices around child (drug use, prostitution)
- Denial of educational needs
- Denial of social interaction
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Emotional Neglect
Emotional and physical abandonment, lack of or withdrawal of love, nurturance or care, emotional coldness, lack of empathy, understanding and patience. Denial of social interaction and positive relationships with others who may nurture or love the child.
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