What is Child Abuse?
Home: Survivors: Incest & Child Abuse: General information
Child abuse is an act by parents or caregivers which endangers a child or young person's physical or emotional health or development. Child abuse is not usually a single incident, but takes place over time.
In Victoria, the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 defines a child or young person as a person under seventeen years of age.
Child abuse includes:
Physical abuse, which involves any non-accidental injury to a child by a parent or caregiver. The injury may take the form of bruises, cuts, burns or fractures.
Sexual abuse, which occurs when an adult or someone bigger and/or older than the child uses power or authority over the child to involve the child in sexual activity. Physical force is sometimes involved. Child sexual abuse involves a wide range of sexual activity. It may include fondling of the child's genitals; masturbation; oral sex; vaginal or anal penetration by a penis, finger or any other object; or exposure of the child to pornography.
Emotional abuse, which occurs when a child is repeatedly rejected or frightened by threats. This may involve name-calling, being put down, or continual coldness from the parent or caregiver to the extent that it affects the child's physical and emotional growth and development.
Neglect, which is the failure to provide the child with the basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing, shelter and supervision, to the extent that the child's health and development are placed at risk.
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Disclaimer
Copyright Updated: 19 Mar 2011
The South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault acknowledges the traditional Aboriginal owners of country throughout Victoria. We pay our respects to them, their culture and their Elders past, present and future.