Child Abuse: Overview

Definition

The definition of child abuse comprises four types of abuse and neglect: physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and emotional/psychological abuse. Despite the delineation of these four categories, there is little consensus about how to define abuse. This lack of universal definition makes it difficult to assess the prevalence of child abuse and point to its existence. Moreover, as a result of cultural differences in child care and socialization, certain behaviors may be identified as abusive in one cultural context but not in others.

These four forms of child abuse are difficult to define because parenting and disciplinary practices vary across cultures. For example, the practice of separating the infant from his or her parents by putting the child in a separate room or in a crib after birth is common for many parents in the United States. In contrast, this practice is seen as neglectful and hurtful among others who view the infant as totally dependent on the parents after birth. Thus, it is the parent's responsibility to be close to the infant in order to identify and respond to the infant's ongoing needs. Hence, in these cultures, the infant may stay in the same room as the parents or sleep in the same bed.

[Page 88]An Asian custom called cao gio involves rubbing a small, warm coin on the child's body. This practice is considered a common folk remedy for fever, but it may be seen as abusive by other cultures. Another example concerns the use of caretakers to watch young children. In some cultures, for example, the use of a full-time nanny or babysitter is considered neglectful because the child is deprived of seeing his or her parents and having the consistency of parental care. Yet in other cultures, the use of hired caretakers is a common practice. Similarly, although some cultures value extended family members who take on child-rearing and caretaker roles, other cultures view parents who engage in this practice as not fulfilling their parental responsibilities. These examples and the differing child care practices they illustrate highlight the complexity associated with any attempt to define child abuse in a cultural context. The complexity of attempts to define child abuse in a world of varying parenting practices sets the backdrop for the following general definitions of the four types of abuse (see the Safe Child Program Web site listed in Further Reading for additional information on child abuse).

Physical abuse is defined as a specific abusive behavior that involves the physical maltreatment of a child under the age of 18 by a caretaker. Physical abuse may be indicated by bite marks, unusual bruises, burns, lacerations, frequent injuries or “accidents,” fractures in unusual places, discoloration of the skin, beatings, shaking, strangulation, brain damage, and swelling to the face and extremities.

Sexual abuse is defined as behavior that obligates or tries to obligate a child or adolescent to engage in a sexual relationship in which consent is not given or cannot be given. Sexual abuse is perhaps one of the most taboo forms of abuse, and therefore it is often underreported. It is important to consider sexual abuse on a continuum of behaviors. For example, sexual abuse may be equated with penetration, but this is only one type of abuse in this category. Sexually abusive behavior includes oral, vaginal, or anal penetration; fondling of the genitals or asking the child to fondle the genital area; exposing private parts to the child, including exposing private parts to a child with another child in the room who is aware of the behavior (even if he or she cannot see the exposure); asking a child to expose him or herself; entering the vagina or anus with fingers or objects; and engaging in pornography, prostitution, and voyeurism.

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