In the information that follows, children will be defined as persons from birth to age 18. Mistreatment will be considered any attitude, behavior, or relationship between a child and an adult which results in physical or emotional harm to the child. They depend on adults for survival. They depend on adults to provide for their basic human needs throughout their formative years. They depend on adults to keep the world intact until they themselves become adults.
Children learn from adults.
They learn facts and figures in the classroom. They learn attitudes and values in the home, school, church, and community. They learn ways of acting and reacting from those responsible for their care. Children teach adults. They teach adults about love, forgiveness and creation.