Child abuse

There are different types of abuse

Abuse can be physical, sexual or psychological. Neglect is also a form of abuse.

Physical abuse
Physical abuse involves causing physical harm to a child or adult. Examples of physical abuse include slapping, kicking, hitting, shaking or threatening to do any of these things.

Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse occurs when an adult, teenager or older child touches a child sexually or takes advantage of a child for sexual purposes. Examples of sexual abuse include touching a child's private parts (parts covered by a bathing suit or underwear), causing a child to touch or look at another person's private parts, taking photos or videos of a child doing these things, or trying to get a child to do these things.

Psychological abuse
Saying mean things to hurt another person is a way of intimidating, frightening or denigrating them. So is threatening to hurt a child or do something mean to them, such as destroying their toys or other belongings, or hurting their pet.

Neglect
Physical or psychological neglect occurs when a parent or other family member responsible for a child fails to give the child what he or she needs to be healthy and safe, such as food and clothing, or fails to take the child to the doctor when he or she needs medical attention.