Search this website

Close me
Monday, October 07, 2024
Get The Facts / Child Abuse / What Is Child Abuse?

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.

Examples Include:

  • Burns
  • Bites
  • Bruises
  • Fractures
  • Shaking of infants and young children

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.

Examples Include:

  • Verbal abuse or withholding emotional support
  • Unreasonable demands on child to perform above capabilities
  • Using shameful or bizarre forms of punishment

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

Examples Include:

  • Contacts for sexual purposes
  • Molestation
  • Statutory Rape
  • Prostitution
  • Pornography
  • Exposure and Incest

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

Examples Include:

  • Failure to provide food
  • Clothing
  • Shelter
  • Education
  • Medical care
  • or adequate supervision

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

Examples Include:

  • Letting person who behaves in an irresponsible or violent manner supervise a child
  • Allowing a child to witness family violence the manufacture of illegal drugs or other felony offenses

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

These effects range from:

  • Physical
  • Behavioral
  • Psychological
  • Societal

What do our members say

Whether you join on your own, through a local chapter or plan to start a new A4K chapter in your school or community, we are here to help you find your Voice.

A4K Club