Child abuse and neglect comes in many forms and can be an act or an omission that harms a child. It may include:

• Sexual Abuse
• Neglect (severe and general)
• Physical Abuse (willful harming or endangering of a child and unlawful corporal punishment or injury)
• Emotional Abuse
• Abuse or Neglect in out of home care
• Maternal Substance Abuse

The risk to children when Domestic Violence is occurring in the home is also considered neglect.

Physical abuse is when a parent or caretaker injures or traumatizes a child, and it’s not an accident. It also includes a parent’s or a caregiver’s failure to protect a child from another person who physically harms the child.

Sexual Abuse includes penetration or touching a child’s intimate parts, oral sex with a child, indecent exposure, using a child for prostitution, manufacturing child pornography, or any other sexual act performed in a child’s presence for sexual gratification. Child sexual abuse also includes a parent or caretaker failing to make reasonable efforts to stop child sexual abuse.

Emotional Abuse includes, but is not limited to, verbal assaults, ignoring and indifference, or constant family conflict.

Neglect includes any situation where a child does not receive proper care and/or is exposed to hazardous conditions such as drugs, domestic violence, or other issues, which threaten the child’s safety and wellbeing.