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1. Physical abuse is defined as the deliberate application of force to any part of a child’s body that results or may result in a non-accidental injury. Examples include shaking, choking, biting, kicking, burning, and poisoning. See Box 6.5 for a debate on whether corporal punishment is physical abuse.
2. Sexual abuse occurs when an adult or youth uses a child for sexual purposes. Examples include fondling, intercourse, incest, sodomy, exhibitionism, and exploitation through prostitution or the production of pornographic materials.
3. Neglect/failure to provide occurs when a child’s caregivers do not provide the requisite attention to the child’s emotional, psychological, or physical development. Examples include failure to supervise or protect leading to physical harm (such as drunk driving with a child), failure to provide adequate nutrition or clothing, failure to provide medical treatment, and exposing the child to unhygienic or dangerous living conditions. See Box 6.6 for a case in which a father forgot his child in a hot car, and read about whether the court found this to be a case of neglect.
4. Emotional maltreatment is defined as acts or omissions by caregivers that cause or could cause serious behavioural, cognitive, emotional, or mental disorders. Examples include verbal threats, socially isolating a child, intimidation, exploitation, terrorizing, or routinely making unreasonable demands on a child.
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