The key types of child maltreatment are neglect, physical Abuse, sexual abuse and psychological/emotional abuse. Most maltreated children in the United States (about 63%) suffer from neglect, followed by physical abuse (19%), sexual abuse (10%) and psychological or emotional maltreatment (5%) as well as other forms of abuse as defined by state laws. Children may also suffer from multiple forms of abuse.

Neglect

The neglect of children may be as extreme as depriving infants and young children of food, water and basic care. It also may include many other types of behaviors, such as withholding medical treatment (medical neglect) or preventing or discouraging a child from obtaining an education (educational neglect). Neglect is the most common form of child maltreatment among nearly all categories of abusers, with the one exception of abusive friends or neighbors, who are much more likely to commit sexual abuse than to neglect a child.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse of a child may be extreme--encompassing severe beatings or torture that result in fractures, disfigurement or even death--or lead to injuries that are harmful but less severe, such as beatings that cause bruising over most or all of the child's body. Repeated physical abuse is usually more harmful than a single incident; however, one severe incident of physical abuse may be sufficient to disable or kill a child. Corporal punishment is not considered a form of physical abuse by states unless it is extreme. (Each state determines what constitutes extreme corporal punishment.)

Sexual Abuse

Some children are sexually abused by others, usually those outside the family. Of all abusive parents, less than 3% (2.7%) are sexual abusers.

Sexual abuse may include sexual intercourse, sexual touching, exposure of the genitals by the perpetrator or the child and many other examples. Some states are explicit in their definitions of sexual abuse, while others provide a general definition.

An increasing number of states now include the photographing or depicting of a child in a sexual situation for the arousal of others as a form of sexual abuse. With the popularity of the internet, there are increasing opportunities for pedophiles, as well as those seeking to profit from their lust, to maltreat children sexually, whether by creating child pornography, exhibiting sexual photographs of minor children or even using live webcam depictions of minors engaging in sexual acts. Some adults engage in the sexual trafficking of children and adolescents, in the United States and in other countries.

Psychological/Emotional Maltreatment

Psychological maltreatment (also known as emotional maltreatment) is much more difficult to define than other forms of abuse, and most state laws are vague on what constitutes this form of maltreatment. Frequently screaming at a child that she is evil and has always been an unwanted child may be one form of maltreatment. However, children are not usually removed from their homes for psychological maltreatment only. Instead this form of abuse usually accompanies another form of abuse, such as physical abuse or sexual abuse.

Some states look at the child's current outcome; for example, in the case that the child appears developmentally delayed, depressed or excessively anxious because of the parent's behavior toward the child. Compelling an abused child to lie by saying that he was not abused is considered emotional maltreatment in some states.

Multiple Maltreatments

Many abused children suffer from two or more forms of child maltreatment. For example, theymay be both physically abused and sexually abused or both physically abused and psychologically abused. After neglect, multiple maltreatment is the most common category of abuse among parental abusers, or 15.2%.

Other Forms of Abuse

Because each state defines what constitutes abuse, some states include additional categories of abuse that they incorporate under the definition of physical abuse or neglect. For example, increasing numbers of states have laws that have made the presence of alcohol or controlled drugs in a newborn infant an automatic offense of either neglect or physical abuse. In some states, if the children are in the presence of others using illegal drugs, this behavior constitutes abuse. Some states list specific drugs, such as methamphetamine, that children may not be around, and if they are in the presence of these drugs, that action constitutes a child abuse offense.

References:

1)         Administration on Children, Youth and Families. Child Maltreatment 2003. Children's Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C., 2005.

2)         Besharov, Douglas J. Recognizing Child Abuse: A Guide for the Concerned. New York: Free Press, 1990.

3)         Costin, Lela B., et al. The Politics of Child Abuse in America. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996.

4)         Gilbert, Neil, ed. Combating Child Abuse: International Perspectives and Trends. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997.

5)         Kempe, C. Henry, and Ray F. Heifer, eds. The Battered Child. 3rd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1980.

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