When continued over a period of time, these activities affect the child's emotional development. Physical abuse is the non-accidental injury of a child caused by the acts of a parent or other caregiver. Abuse-related injuries may include cuts, lacerations, abrasions, bruises, fractures, and burns. The shape of the injuries and their locations on the child's body often provide clues that they were not caused through the normal wear and tear of childhood. Sexual abuse is sexual contact or interaction for gratification of the adult or older child who is a parent or caregiver and responsible for the child's care.
Sexual abuse is reportable to child protective services.
If the perpetrator is not a caregiver, such actions are defined as sexual assault and reportable to law enforcement agency. Sexual abuse is the form of abuse about which nonprofits are usually most concerned. Beyond these reasons, no other form of abuse serves as a motivation for individuals to seek employment or volunteer for the purpose of gaining access to a potential victim. Access to children for possible sexual purposes is often the primary reason a potential molester seeks to become involved with a youth-serving nonprofit. Poverty alone is not a legal basis for child neglect.