What is the true definition of child abuse?
The four types of child abuse and neglect are: • Physical Abuse • Child Neglect • Sexual Abuse • Mental Injury or Emotional/mental abuse Legal Definition of Child Abuse The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (Public Law 100-294) defines child abuse and neglect as the physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation, negligent treatment, or maltreatment: of a child (a person under the age of 18, unless the child protection law of the State in which the child resides specifies a younger age for cases not involving sexual abuse) by a person (including any employee of a residential facility or any staff person providing out-of-home care) who is responsible for the child’s welfare under circumstances which indicate that the child’s health or welfare is harmed or threatened thereby. The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act defines sexual abuse as: “the use, employment, persuasion, inducement, enticement or coercion of any child to engage in, or assist any other person to eng
