Types of Abuse

The examples given here are not meant to be exhaustive. There are many kinds of abuse, and abuse manifests in many different ways. Generally, abuse has the following key elements:

• An imbalance of power. This is easy to achieve between adults and children, since adults are inherently more powerful than children.

• Control. Abusers often feel a sense of entitlement and possession of their victims, and will attempt to isolate victims from others who may speak out against abuse or empower the victim to resist.

Love isn't supposed to hurt. These are some of the legal definitions of child abuse. Sometimes, though, unhealthy and harmful behaviors might not meet these definitions, or might not reach a threshold for investigation. This doesn't mean that the behaviors don't hurt or leave lasting physical and emotional scars. Continue speaking out and seeking help, even if you don't find a legal resolution.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is any non-accidental physical harm to the body of a child under the age of 18 by a parent or caregiver.

Examples:

- Slapping

- Punching

- Kicking

- Hitting with objects, just as belts, broom handles, cords, etc.

- Pushing or knocking a child over

- Pulling hair

- Burning

- Biting

- Use of weapons to harm

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is any inappropriate sexual act or threatened act involving a child under the age of 18, by a person who is responsible for the child's care, a person related to the child or with whom the child lives, or a person who is in a position of authority over the child.

Examples:

- Performing sexual acts on a child, or compelling the child to perform sexual acts

- Exposing a child to pornography

- Having explicit sexual conversations with a child

- Photographing or filming the child engaged in sexual acts, or otherwise recording sexually explicit images of a child meant to elicit sexual response or gratification

- Involving a child in prostitution or sex work

- Unsupervised exposure to untreated sexual offenders

- Intentionally exposing a child to private parts

- Intentionally walk in on a bathing or dressing child, or peeping on a child

- Comments about the child's body, sexuality, or private parts

Emotional/Mental Abuse

Emotional/mental abuse is intentionally causing emotional pain or distress, and may result in low self-esteem, negative self-image, and emotional problems such as anxiety or depression.

Examples:

- Name-calling

- Mean-spirited teasing, or teasing beyond the child's comfort level

- Put-downs or insults

- Negative comments about the child's appearance

- Threatened or actual rejection of the child

- Threatened or actual harm to others, including pets

Neglect

Neglect is the repeated failure of a parent or caretaker to provide a child under 18 with basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care, educational opportunity, protection, and supervision, when the parent/caretaker is reasonably able to do so.

Examples:

- Failing to change dirty diapers promptly

- Prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol

- Driving while under the influence with a child in the vehicle, if responsible for the child's care

- Failing to stop abuse between siblings

- Allowing children to skip school without reason