What Is Child Abuse?

Child abuse, in various forms, has become disturbingly common worldwide. Child abuse is defined by federal law as "Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation." The law also covers neglecting to protect the child from such acts. Child abuse can cause physical, psychological, behavioral and social problems that can have a lasting effect on the child's adult life.

Physical

• Physical child abuse covers any act that causes bodily injury or harm to your child, whether the abuse was intentional or not. This includes hitting, kicking, biting, or wounding your child in any way. Knowingly exposing your child to alcohol or illegal drugs, making methamphetamines around your child or in his home and impairing yourself with such substances while caring for your child is also physical abuse. Mild spanking that does not cause bodily harm is not considered child abuse. Physical abuse can cause poor physical and emotional health.

Emotional

• Although it is difficult to prove, emotional abuse is illegal and often goes hand-in-hand with physical abuse. Emotional abuse includes excessive criticism, rejection, name-calling, verbal threats, withholding love and neglecting to support or guide your child. Failing to provide psychological help for depression or other problems and permitting your child's substance abuse can also be considered emotional abuse. Emotional abuse lowers your child's self-esteem and confidence, fosters mistrust between yourself and your child and creates invisible scars that can take years to heal.

Sexual

• Sexual misconduct with children is increasingly common and includes fondling, penetration, incestuous relationships, rape and exposing your genitals to a child. Exposing your child to or including her in pornographic material is also illegal. It is also illegal to persuade or coerce a child to perform any type of sexual act. Sexual abuse can cause lasting physical injury, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and may lead a child to victimize others.

Neglect

• Child neglect includes failing to provide your child with shelter, food, clothing, adequate supervision, medical attention, education and emotional support. If a family is poverty-stricken, parents must seek government assistance, such as welfare, food stamps, and Medicaid or other child health insurance programs. Neglect can impact physical, intellectual, emotional and social development and can cause lasting psychological, behavioral and health problems.