Los Angeles County says that Child Abuse is the repeated mistreatment or neglect of a child by parent(s) or other guardian resulting in injury or harm.



TYPES OF ABUSE

SEXUAL ABUSE

Generally, it is not okay for someone to touch you in your private areas (the areas that are covered by your bathing suit) or for someone to ask you to touch them in their private areas. It is also not okay for someone to take pictures of you without your clothes on. The exception is if you are sick or having a check up by your doctor, usually this is not sexual abuse, or when little kids need baths or their diapers changed. Use your judgment; if it feels weird or scary speak up.

*this definition is not from the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect.



PHYSICAL ABUSE

Physical Abuse is physical injury (ranging from minor bruises to severe fractures or death) as a result of punching, beating, kicking, biting, shaking, throwing, stabbing, choking, hitting (with a hand, stick, strap, or other object), burning, or otherwise harming a child. Such injury is considered abuse regardless of whether the caretaker intended to hurt the child.





EMOTIONAL ABUSE

Emotional Abuse is a pattern of behavior that impairs a child's emotional development or sense of self-worth. This may include constant criticism, threats, or rejection, as well as withholding love, support, or guidance. Emotional abuse is often difficult to prove and, therefore, Child Protection Services may not be able to intervene without evidence of harm to the child. Emotional abuse is almost always present when other forms are identified.

*If someone causes you to be terrified or extremely frightened by constant use of threats or intimidating behavior this may be emotional abuse. Parents aren't perfect, they do make mistakes and says things that they regret. Sometimes parents may say really mean things to you. They may say that you are stupid, that you can't do anything right, or that they wish that you had never been born. Just remember, even though these things hurt your feelings, they aren't true.

*this information is not from the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect.



NEGLECT

Neglect is failure to provide for a child's basic needs. Neglect may be:

• Physical (e.g., failure to provide necessary food or shelter, or lack of appropriate supervision)
• Medical (e.g., failure to provide necessary medical or mental health treatment)2
• Educational (e.g., failure to educate a child or attend to special education needs)
• Emotional (e.g., inattention to a child's emotional needs, failure to provide psychological care, or permitting the child to use alcohol or other drugs)

These situations do not always mean a child is neglected. Sometimes cultural values, the standards of care in the community, and poverty may be contributing factors, indicating the family is in need of information or assistance. When a family fails to use information and resources, and the child's health or safety is at risk, then child welfare intervention may be required.



The information above is provided by the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect. The examples provided are for general informational purposes only. Not all States' definitions will include all of the examples listed below, and individual States' definitions may cover additional situations not mentioned here. (http://nccanch.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/factsheets/whatiscan.cfm)