Thinking of the words “child abuse” often bring up images of the most extreme and severe cases of physical abuse. While physical abuse triggers us to recognize abuse, abuse happens in many other ways.
Neglect is the negligent failure of a parent, guardian, or caretaker to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision, in cases where no physical injury to the child has occurred. Severe neglect involves situations, including severe malnutrition, where the child’s health is endangered.
Physical Abuse is bodily injury inflicted by other than accidental means on a child, including willful cruelty, unjustified punishment, or corporal punishment or injury resulting in a traumatic condition.
Sexual Abuse is the victimization of a child through sexual activities, including molestation, indecent exposure, fondling, rape, incest, or sexual exploitation.
Emotional Abuse is non-physical mistreatment, including willfully causing any child to suffer, inflicting mental suffering, or endangering a child’s emotional well-being.
Source: California Penal Code Section 11165