Child Physical Abuse 

A wide range of behaviors which physically injures or harms a child’s body.  Some behaviors 
include burning, punching, shaking, kicking, and throwing a child.     

Emotional Abuse

A pattern of behavior that impairs a child’s emotional development and positive sense of self.

Emotional abuse includes the presence of a pattern of denigrating language and/or behaviors 
directed at the child including:
          
            • profanity
            • belittling
            • criticism
            • rejection
            • threats


Emotional abuse also includes the absence of a pattern of supporting language and/or 
behaviors directed at a child including:

           • pride in the child
           • praise
           • expressions of love and concern

Child Sexual Assault

Any forced, exploitative or coercive sexual contact or experience with a child.  There are three 
types of force:  physical, emotional and authority.  Child sexual assault includes:

            • molestation
            • rape
            • incest
            • voyeurism
            • exhibitionism
            • pornography
            • forced prostitution

Child Neglect

Failure to provide nutrition, clothing, shelter, supervision, or medical care for a child. Neglect is different from poverty.