Child abuse can even be emotional and or physical (often sexual) maltreatment of child neglect is considered a form of abuse. Child abuse is the mistreatment of infants, children, and adolescents by their parents or others caretakers. Countless numbers of children are abused around the world every day. It is estimated that in the United States, one in every 100 children is abused or neglected, and that 2,000 of these children each year. Children of any age can be victims of child abuse. Those below the age of three are at the greatest risk. Cases of child abuse often go unreported. Sometimes abused children say nothing because they feel that they are the cause of problems in the family and deserve to be punished. Other children feel that they should suffer in silence, to get their parents love. But child abuse is not the fault of the child, nor does the child deserve punishment. .
TYPES OF CHILD ABUSE.
Child abuse can be mild or severe. It may consist of any of the following types of abuse or a combination of several types.
• Physical - Abuse is intentional injury. The child may have bruises, burns, broken bones, or injuries to the head. The term "Battered Child" describes a child with many such injuries in different parts of the body.
• Sexual- Abuse is the sexual molestation of a child by an older person. There is increasing awareness of this problem. In most cases the molesters are friends, neighbors, or relatives of the child.
• Nutritional deprivation - Occurs when food or drink is not given to children, so they do not grow and thrive properly.
• Emotional deprivation - Occurs when a child is constantly rejected and "picked on". The child feels threatened and does not get the love and understanding that she or he deserves.
• Parental neglect- Refers to situations in which parents do not give their children the right food, clothing, shelter, med real care, and protection from accidents.
