CHILD ABUSE

Child Abuse

Child Abuse

Introduction

Child abuse and neglect also referred to collectively as child maltreatment, comprises the legal and social definitions of specific typologies, including physical abuse, physical neglect, emotional/psychological neglect, and sexual abuse. Legal definitions of the different types of maltreatment vary from state to state, but their source is societal standards of a safe, nurturing environment that ensures a child can grow into a fully functioning, contributing member of society. The definitions below are based on those used by the American Humane Society and other standard sources in the field.

Discussion

Physical abuse is the most visible of the maltreatment typologies. It ...