Child maltreatment can include the following:

Physical abuse may appear as bruises, marks or injuries inflicted by other than accidental means. It may be the result of excessive or out-of-control discipline from a parent or caregiver.

Sexual abuse may involve any sexual activity between an adult and a child. It can include everything from fondling to rape. The act may also be for the gratification of the perpetrator or a third party, or for exploitation of the child. Over 80% of cases reported involve the parent, a relative, or other known adult as the perpetrator.

Emotional abuse, although not as visible as other forms of abuse, can still be very damaging. The law defines it as mental injury; and does not give any real guidelines. A child who is repeatedly belittled, ignored, or blamed for the family’s problems, may be emotionally abused.

Neglect is another form of child maltreatment and occurs when a parent or caregiver fails to act on behalf of a child. A child who does not receive adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical care, supervision or education may be neglected.

A dependent child is one who is homeless, destitute or without adequate parental care and support through no fault of the child’s parent or caregiver. The child may lack adequate care because of a mental or physical condition. The child may also be in danger of being abused or neglected because they live in a household in which a sibling or other child who resides there is abused, neglected, or dependent.