Child abuse occurs with alarming frequency. As public awareness of the subject has grown, so have the numbers of reported and confirmed cases. The following definitions are adapted from B.C.'s child protection legislation, the Child, Family and Community Service Act. Physical abuse is any physical force or action that results, or could result, in injury to a child. It's stronger than what would be considered reasonable discipline.
Sexual abuse is the use of a child for sexual gratification.
It includes sexual touching as well as non-touching abuse, such as making a child watch sexual acts. Emotional abuse is a pattern of destructive behaviour or verbal attacks by an adult on a child. It can include rejecting, terrorizing, ignoring, isolating, exploiting or corrupting a child. Neglect is the form of abuse most frequently reported to the Ministry for Children and Families. If you think a child is being abused, you have a legal duty to report the situation.