Child Abuse & Neglect
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The Center for Disease Control and Prevention defines child abuse as all types of abuse and neglect of a child under the age of 18 by a parent, caregiver, or another person in a custodial role (e.g., a religious leader, a coach, or a teacher) that results in harm, potential harm, or threat of harm to a child.
There are four common types of abuse and neglect:
Physical Abuse
The intentional use of physical force that can result in physical injury. Examples include hitting, kicking, shaking, or other shows of force against a child.
Sexual Abuse
Refers to any completed or attempted sexual acts or sexual contact with a child by a caregiver. Examples include fondling, penetration, and exposing a child to sexual activities.
Emotional Abuse
Refers to behaviors that harm a child's self-worth or emotional well-being. Examples include name-calling, shaming, rejecting, and withholding love.
Neglect
The failure to meet a child's basic physical and emotional needs. These needs include housing, food, clothing, education, access to medical care, and having feelings validated and appropriately responded to.
Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences
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ACEs are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years), such as experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect, witnessing violence in the home or community, or having a family member attempt or die by suicide. ACEs are preventable. Safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments are essential to children’s health and well-being.
PCEs stem from safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments, and have the power to prevent or protect children from traumatic events, toxic stress, or ACEs. These positive experiences can happen both in and outside the home. Anyone can create environments, experiences, and relationships that allow children to feel protected and cared for.
