Information provided by the Child Welfare Information Gateway and Darkness to Light.  

Neglect

Neglect is the failure of a parent, guardian, or other caregiver 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)
• 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)

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is non-accidental 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, that is inflicted by a parent, caregiver, or other person who has responsibility for the child.  Such injury is considered abuse regardless of whether the caregiver intended to hurt the child.  Physical discipline, such as spanking or paddling, is not considered abuse as long as it is reasonable and causes no bodily injury to the child.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse includes any sexual act between an adult and a minor, or between two minors, when one exerts power over the other.  These activities may include fondling a child's genitals, penetration, incest, rape, sodomy, indecent exposure, and exploitation through prostitution or the production of pornographic materials.  It also includes other non-contact acts such as exhibitionism, exposure to pornography, voyeurism, and communicating in a sexual manner by phone or internet.

Emotional abuse (psychological abuse)

Emotional abuse (or psychological 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 protective services may not be able to intervene without evidence of harm or mental injury to the child.  Emotional abuse is almost always present when other types of maltreatment are identified.  

Domestic Violence

The witnessing of domestic violence can be auditory, visual, or inferred, including cases in which the child perceives the aftermath of violence, such as physical injuries to family members or damage to property.  Children who witness domestic violence can suffer severe emotional and developmental difficulties that are similar to those of children who are direct victims of abuse.

Parental Substance Abuse

Parental substance abuse is an element of the definition of child abuse or neglect.  This may include:

• Prenatal exposure of a drug to a child 
• Manufacturing of a controlled substance in the presence of a child or on the premises occupied by a child
• Allowing a child to be present where the chemicals or equipment for the manufacture of controlled substances are used or stored
• Selling, distributing, or giving drugs or alcohol to a child
• Use of a controlled substance by a caregiver that impairs the caregiver's ability to adequately care for the child.