Types of Child Abuse
Child abuse falls into four categories: physical abuse, physical neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse.
Physical abuse can include the following actions when they are continuous, pervasive, and extreme, and if they are done intentionally to harm a child: hitting;
throwing; kicking; choking; biting; shaking; beating with an object; burning with a match, cigar, or cigarette; scalding with hot water; pushing and holding a child underwater; tying up a child; and starving or failing to provide food for a child.
The following actions can be considered physical neglect if they interfere with a child's growth and development: not providing adequate housing or warm clothing in cold weather; locking a child in a closet or room; leaving a child alone for extended periods of time; not providing medical care when a child is sick or injured; and placing a child in a physically dangerous situation.
Sexual abuse can include: fondling, touching, or kissing a child's sex organs; making a child touch someone else's sex organs; having sex with a child; showing a child pornographic material; showing sex organs to a child
forcing a child to undress; forcing a child to have sex with someone; making a child pose or perform for pornographic pictures or videos; and telling a child "dirty" stories.
Emotional abuse occurs when a parent ignores, terrorizes, blames, belittles, or otherwise makes a child feel that he/she is worthless and incompetent.
Thanks to the excellent article by KidsHealth.org for this information.
