child abuse
Cruelty toward youth
Child abuse is the mistreatment of a child by a parent, caregiver, or other adult—encompassing physical violence, sexual exploitation, emotional cruelty, or neglect.
The term covers a spectrum from inadequate care to severe harm: The pediatrician was trained to recognize signs of child abuse.
Legal definitions vary by jurisdiction, but all distinguish abuse from ordinary discipline.
Criminal unwanted sexual contact
- incestRelations between kin
- perpetratorOne who commits wrongdoing
- offenderOne who breaks rules
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
pedophilia · conviction · felony · charges · investigation · mandatory reporting · registry · predator
Agency investigating family abuse
- foster careSupervised substitute parenting
- social workerHuman services professional
- hotlineDirect emergency phone connection
- caseworkerAgency employee helping clients
investigation · removal · placement · reunification · family court · mandated reporter · welfare check · safe haven
Repeated striking or pulsing
- bruisingCausing tissue discoloration
- shakingRapid involuntary movement
- slappingStriking with open palm
- hittingMaking forceful contact
kicking · whipping · punching · choking · burns · broken bones · fractures · welts
Act of leaving permanently
- malnutritionDisease from dietary inadequacy
- deprivationState of lacking necessities
- unsupervisedWithout oversight or guidance
- latchkeyKey to outer door
starvation · hygiene · medical neglect · emotional neglect · failure to thrive · unattended · malnourished · dehydration
Chronic reaction to horrific events
- flashbacksInvoluntary vivid memory episodes
- nightmaresTerrifying sleep experiences
- dissociationMental separation from surroundings
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
depression · attachment issues · hypervigilance · triggers · emotional scars · developmental delays · behavioral problems · self-harm
Expressing contempt or dismissiveness
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- terrorizingInstilling extreme fear
- gaslightingManipulation causing self-doubt
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
rejection · scapegoating · withholding affection · intimidation · threats · degradation · shaming · bullying
molestation
Criminal unwanted sexual contact
- incestRelations between kin
- perpetratorOne who commits wrongdoing
- offenderOne who breaks rules
pedophilia · prosecution · conviction · felony · charges · investigation · mandatory reporting · registry · predator · grooming
CPS
Agency investigating family abuse
- foster careSupervised substitute parenting
- social workerHuman services professional
- hotlineDirect emergency phone connection
caseworker · investigation · removal · placement · reunification · family court · mandated reporter · welfare check · safe haven · shelter
beating
Repeated striking or pulsing
- bruisingCausing tissue discoloration
- shakingRapid involuntary movement
- slappingStriking with open palm
hitting · kicking · whipping · punching · choking · burns · broken bones · fractures · welts · shaken baby
abandonment
Act of leaving permanently
- malnutritionDisease from dietary inadequacy
- deprivationState of lacking necessities
- unsupervisedWithout oversight or guidance
latchkey · starvation · hygiene · medical neglect · emotional neglect · failure to thrive · unattended · malnourished · dehydration · unsafe conditions
PTSD
Chronic reaction to horrific events
- flashbacksInvoluntary vivid memory episodes
- nightmaresTerrifying sleep experiences
- dissociationMental separation from surroundings
anxiety · depression · attachment issues · hypervigilance · triggers · emotional scars · developmental delays · behavioral problems · self-harm · trust issues
belittling
Expressing contempt or dismissiveness
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- terrorizingInstilling extreme fear
- gaslightingManipulation causing self-doubt
manipulation · rejection · scapegoating · withholding affection · intimidation · threats · degradation · shaming · bullying · coercion
- criminal lawcrime, felony, misdemeanor, murder, robbery
- child lawcustody rights, parental rights, legal guardian, guardianship rights, legal guardians
- child welfarefoster care, foster home, protective services, CPS, foster family
- abuse traumadomestic violence, neglect, survivors, trauma therapy, PTSD
- Child Psychiatrydevelopmental disorders, neurodevelopmental, psychiatric assessment, psychiatric evaluation, adolescent depression
- church scandalscover-up, cover-ups, coverups, sexual misconduct, molestation
child abusenurturing
Supportive care-giving
child protection · parental love · gentle parenting · child welfare · tender loving care
child abusechild advocacy
Supporting minors' welfare and rights
safeguarding · child protection services · foster care · child welfare services · protective custody
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