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Jack, Munn, Cheng, and MacMillan define child maltreatment as “the harm, or risk of harm, that a child or youth may experience while in the care of a person they trust or depend on, including a parent, sibling, other relatives, teacher, caregiver or guardian. (acts of omission)” (2006, p. 1).
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is one of the most common forms of child maltreatment. Any intentional harm or mistreatment to a child under 18 years old is considered child abuse. Physical abuse encompasses any “actions of commission by a caregiver that cause actual physical harm or have the potential for harm” (Krug et al., 2002).
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Sexual Abuse
Child sexual abuse, also called child molestation is the use of a child or youth for sexual purposes by an adult or older youth. It may involve penetration, attempted penetration, oral sex, fondling, sex talk (verbal or written proposition, encouragement, or suggestions of a sexual nature as well as exposing the child to pornographic material, voyeurism, exhibitionism, and exploitation (Trocmé, Fallon et al., 2005).
Mental Abuse
Emotional abuse is sometimes called psychological abuse. The abuse is the sustained, repetitive, inappropriate emotional response to the child’s expression of emotion and its accompanying expressive behavior (O’Hagan, 1998, as cited in Crosson-Tower, 2005).
