Child abuse includes physical, sexual, or emotional mistreatment of children.  Child sexual abuse can include any kind of sexual act directed toward a child by an adult or by an older or more powerful child. Child physical abuse is the inflicting of physical injury upon a child. Physical abuse may include burning, hitting, punching, shaking, kicking, beating, or otherwise harming a child. Emotional abuse includes acts or the failures to act by parents or caretakers that have caused or could cause serious behavioral, cognitive, emotional or mental disorders. 

Child abuse also includes neglect, exposure to domestic violence, and exposure to substance abuse. Neglect is when a child's basic needs for food, housing, health care and warm clothing are not met. Exposure to family violence between adults in a child's home is harmful to children. It can include witnessing or being aware of it happening between adults in the home. Exposure to substance abuse such as drugs or alcohol by parents and other caregivers can have negative effects on the health, safety, and well-being of children.

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Child Abuse Statistics