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Definitions of what constitutes child abuse vary among professionals, between social and cultural groups, and across time. [20] [21] The terms abuse and maltreatment are often used interchangeably in the literature. [22]: 11 Child maltreatment can also be an umbrella term covering all forms of child abuse and child neglect. [16]
A form of child abuse, [1] child neglect is an act of caregivers (e.g., parents) that results in depriving a child of their basic needs, such as the failure to provide adequate supervision, health care, clothing, or housing, as well as other physical, emotional, social, educational, and safety needs. [2]
The key federal legislation addressing child abuse and neglect is the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), originally enacted in 1974 (Public Law 93-247). It was amended several times and was most recently amended and reauthorized by the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016.
There is a large variety of what is considered child abuse or neglect. Different types of child abuse include sexual, physical, and psychological. [6] Physical abuse refers to contact made to hurt a child by punching, beating, or anything along the lines of physical contact that results in pain.
There are four major categories of child abuse: neglect, physical abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, and sexual abuse. Neglect may include abandonment , denial of proper care and attention physically, emotionally, or morally, or living under conditions, circumstances or associations injurious to well-being.
Examples of child maltreatment include physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, exploitation, deprivation and neglect. [52] The long-term impact of abuse on victims often includes physical injury, psychological and behavioral harm, and can potentially be carried across generations. [53] [54]
Neglect is more severe in younger children when it comes to psychological consequences. Parental detachment can harm the child's development of bonding and attachment to the parents, [9] causing the child's expectations to be the same when they get older (furthering the cycle of abuse).
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines child abuse and child maltreatment as "all forms of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child's health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power."