Child abuse

A worldwide phenomenon that can affect children of all ages; however, the highest incidence of abuse occurs to infants and toddlers.

Four principal categories are defined: physical abuse, emotional abuse (also commonly referred to as psychological maltreatment), sexual abuse, and neglect. Children may fall under 1 or a combination of the different categories.

An ongoing process that can take place in a family, institutional, or community setting, either by someone close to the child, such as a parent or primary caregiver or, more rarely, by a stranger.

Determining whether injuries have been caused accidentally or represent abuse is often challenging. Finding 1 or more suspicious injuries in a child should warrant a full evaluation to look for other injuries typical of abuse.

While legislation such as mandatory reporting varies among countries, the overriding principle of "paramountcy" (i.e., that the welfare of the child is paramount) is universal.

Child abuse (including neglect) is any form of maltreatment of a child, either by inflicting harm or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family, institutional, or community setting, by those close to them, such as a parent or caregiver or, more rarely, by a stranger. They may be abused by adults or by other children. There are 4 categories of child abuse: physical abuse, emotional abuse (also called psychological maltreatment), sexual abuse, and neglect. This monograph primarily addresses physical child abuse. For information on sexual child abuse, please see our detailed content on sexual abuse.