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What is child abuse and neglect
A definition of child abuse and neglect.
* Physical Abuse is the non-accidental injury of a child. This includes bruises, broken bones, shaken baby syndrome and burns. Physical abuse occurs when a parent, guardian or custodian of a child creates a substantial risk to the child's health or safety, therefore endangering a child. Physical abuse also includes newborns born with positive toxicology screens, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs with a child in the vehicle, allowing a child access to illegal drugs, allowing a child to be present during illegal drug activity and allowing a child to be present at a meth lab. Emotional Maltreatment is also a form of abuse and can include a child witnessing physical domestic violence and parents involving children in activities that cause serious mental distress.
* Neglect is when a child lacks adequate care and/or basic needs because of the faults or habits of a parent or guardian. Neglect could include lack of supervision, medical care or food and hazardous living conditions.
* Sexual Abuse can include sexual acts involving a child. This can include sexual contact between a child and an adult. It can also include sexual contact between two minors depending on the circumstances and the age difference of the children. Exposing a child to pornography, taking pornographic pictures of a child, and making a child watch sexual activity also constitutes sexual abuse.
