Child Abuse:
Child abuse is defined as the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against a child, by an individual or group that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity.abuse1(World Report on Violence and Health 2002)
Neglect:
Neglect includes failure of parents or care givers to meet children’s physical and emotional needs when they have the means, knowledge and access to services to do so; or failure to protect her or him from exposure to danger. (United Nations Secretary General’s Study on Violence against Children, 2005)
Physical Abuse:
Physical Violence is the intentional use of physical force against a child that either results in or has the likelihood of resulting in harm to the child’s health, development or dignity. (Committee on the Rights of the Child 2006)
Corporal punishment is defined as “any punishment in which physical force is used and intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort, however light.” (Committee on the Rights of the Child 2006)
Emotional Abuse:
abuse2Emotional abuse is a concerted attack by an adult on a child’s development of self and social competence; a pattern of psychologically destructive behavior. (International Center for Assault Prevention- TEEN CAP Manual)
The most common forms of emotional abuse are:
- Rejection
- Ignoring
- Corrupting
- Terrorizing
- Isolating
Sexual Assault:
Sexual assault is forced sexual contact. It occurs when an adult, or in some instances another child, uses a child for sexual stimulation. The perpetrator has power and control over the victim. The abuse of power is central to the issue of sexual abuse. (International Center for Assault Prevention- TEEN CAP Manual)
Sexual assault can be any of the following: voyeurism, exhibitionism, forced pornography, forced prostitution, molestation, incest or rape.
