What is Child Abuse?
Child abuse happens when an adult mistreats or neglects a child. The person who abuses is misusing their position of trust and authority. This could be a parent, guardian, paid caregiver or sibling. Children depend upon adults to protect them, support them and help them survive. Being abused damages their sense of safety. It also makes them more likely to be abused and exploited in the future. Child abuse is a silent crime. It can happen in all cultures, social classes, and religions. Also, children with disabilities are more at risk for abuse. What forms does child abuse take? A child can be abused in different ways. Following are just some examples: Physical abuse Physical abuse means inflicting physical harm on a child’s body. It may involve abusing a child a single time, or it may involve a pattern of incidents. Some examples are: • Shaking, choking, biting, kicking or burning a child • Handling a child roughly when helping them with dressing and going to the bathroom • Using force
It is repeated mistreatment or neglect of a child by parents(s) or other guardian resulting in physical and/or emotional injury or harm. Sexual assault is child abuse. Under California Law, child abuse is a crime. Children need protection because they are vulnerable and often unable to speak for themselves. The California Child Abuse Reporting Law, along with other state laws, provides the legal basis for action to protect children and allow intervention by public agencies if a child is maltreated. All employees of the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center are ethically and legally bound to relay reports of child abuse to the appropriate legal authority.
It is repeated mistreatment or neglect of a child by parent(s) or other guardian resulting in injury or harm. Under California Law, child abuse is a crime. Children need protection because they are vulnerable and often unable to speak for themselves. The California Child Abuse Reporting Law, along with other state laws, provides the legal basis for action to protect children and allow intervention by public agencies if a child is maltreated.
