Following is a brief review of what is considered child abuse, neglect and dependency:
Abuse
Physical Abuse: Non-accidental injury to a child or death inflicted other than by accidental means. This may include severe corporal punishment that results in serious harm.
Sexual Abuse: Act of sexual nature upon or with a child, such as molestation, prostitution, and pornography. The act may be for the gratification of abuser or a third party.
Emotional Abuse: Chronic, consistent attitude or act that interferes with a child’s psychological and social development.
Neglect
Physical Neglect: Willful failure to provide for a child; refusing to perform parental duties; abandonment. Some examples include:
- Lack of supervision
- Educational neglect
- Medical/dental neglect
- Unsafe shelter
- Failure to protect (domestic violence, child endangering, driving intoxicated, etc.)
Emotional Neglect: Failure to provide the support or affection necessary to a child’s psychological and social development. Some examples include:
- Failure to thrive diagnosis
- Psychological neglect (for instance, parent does not take child for assessment when he or she threatens or attempts suicide)
Dependency: When a child is deprived of physical or emotional support due to a mental or physical condition of the child’s parents, guardian or custodian. This also pertains to a child who is at risk due to living in a household where abuse, neglect or dependency has already been substantiated in court regarding another child.
Who Are The Victims of Child Abuse?
- Any child (birth-18 years)
- Any child under 21 who has handicaps
- Children across all class, cultural and educational groups
