Child abuse is the mistreatment or neglect of a child which results in harm to the child. It means a child who has been beaten or mistreated so that physical injuries result. Physical abuse can cause bruising, broken bones, burns, internal injuries or can lead to death. It includes acts of exposure, sexual touching, sexual assault, and sexual exploitation of a child by prostitution or pornography. Most sexual offenders are not strangers to the child.
Sexual abuse can cause serious medical and psychological harm to the child.
Without love, support and guidance children do not feel good about themselves. These negative feelings stay with them throughout their lives. Emotional abuse also involves exposing the child to family violence. Child abuse can happen in many ways and under many circumstances, by a parent, sibling, relative, caregiver or other older person. While not all the facts are known, it is clear the child is never to blame for the actions of others.