Question

Describe the various forms of child maltreatment. Indicate who typically commits abusive incidents and who is at risk for abuse.

Answer 1

• There are four main types of child maltreatment/ abuse-
  • Physical
  • Psychological
  • Sexual
  • Neglect

Physical Abuse- When a child is intentionally get harm physically, by spanking, slapping with hand or with any tool. This kind of physical punishment can lead the child physical and mental difficulties in future.

Psychological Abuse/ emotional abuse- The form of emotional abuse can be symbolic or verbal, such as- abusive language, insulting in front of others. This kind of maltreatment can lead the child to passive behavior, learned helpless, abnormal attachment with parents etc.

Sexual Abuse- In this form of abuse an adult abuses the child sexually for one's sexual stimulation. It can affect the child very badly. Insomnia, nightmare, depression, PTSD, anxiety are very common feature of sexual abuse.

Neglect- In this form parents don't fulfill the need of the child. Neglectful activity can be found in various forms such as supervisory neglect, physical neglect, medical neglect, emotional neglect, educational neglect, abandonment.

• Abuser can be anyone, but usually it has been found that parents, caregiver and the relatives abuse the children mostly.
• Children are found to be at risk of abuse commonly.