Types of Child Abuse and Neglect

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), child maltreatment can be classified into four main types:
  • Physical abuse: the intentional use of physical force against a child that results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in harm to the child’s health, survival, development, or dignity. Examples include hitting, kicking, shaking, burning, or poisoning a child.
  • Sexual abuse: the involvement of a child in sexual activity that he or she does not fully comprehend, is unable to give informed consent to, or for which the child is not developmentally prepared and cannot give consent. Examples include fondling, penetration, exposure to pornography, or prostitution of a child.
  • Emotional or psychological abuse: the intentional or unintentional acts or omissions that cause or have a high probability of causing harm to a child’s emotional development or self-esteem. Examples include humiliation, threats, isolation, rejection, or belittling a child.
  • Neglect: the failure to provide for a child’s basic physical, emotional, educational, or medical needs. Examples include inadequate food, clothing, shelter, supervision, affection, education, or health care for a child.
• These types of maltreatment can occur in isolation or in combination with each other
• The following table summarizes some of the common signs and symptoms of each type of maltreatment in different age groups:

Age group	Physical abuse	Sexual abuse	Emotional abuse	Neglect
Infants (0-1 year)	- Unexplained bruises, burns, fractures, or head injuries- Injuries in various stages of healing- Injuries inconsistent with the history given- Failure to thrive- Shaken baby syndrome	- Genital or anal bleeding- Sexually transmitted infections- Difficulty feeding- Irritability- Poor bonding with caregiver	- Delayed development- Poor attachment- Withdrawal- Fearfulness- Failure to smile	- Poor hygiene- Inadequate clothing- Malnutrition- Dehydration- Lack of immunizations- Untreated medical conditions
Toddlers (1-3 years)	- Same as infants- Bite marks- Human hair loss- Abdominal injuries	- Same as infants- Genital or anal pain- Difficulty walking or sitting- Excessive masturbation- Sexualized behavior or language	- Same as infants- Low self-esteem- Aggression- Regression- Anxiety	- Same as infants- Inadequate supervision- Lack of stimulation- Poor social skills
Preschoolers (3-5 years)	- Same as toddlers- Multiple injuries on different body parts	- Same as toddlers- Fear of certain people or places- Bedwetting or soiling	- Same as toddlers- Depression- Somatic complaints	- Same as toddlers- Failure to attend preschool
School-age children (6-12 years)	- Same as preschoolers- Injuries that interfere with daily activities	- Same as preschoolers- Pregnancy or abortion- Substance use	- Same as preschoolers- Learning difficulties- Poor concentration	- Same as preschoolers- Chronic absenteeism from school
Adolescents (13-18 years)	- Same as school-age children- Self-harm behaviors	- Same as school-age children- Promiscuity or prostitution- Suicidal ideation or attempts	- Same as school-age children- Eating disorders- Personality disorders	- Same as school-age children- Delinquency or criminal behavior