Click each heading for more information.
Child Abuse is the physical, sexual, or emotional maltreatment or neglect of individuals under the age of 18.
Physical child abuse is deliberately hurting a child and causing injuries, that include but are not limited to, bruises, broken bones, burns or cuts.
Please visit the section “What is Sexual Assault?” on the Sexual Assault page for information on Child Sexual Abuse.
Emotional child abuse is any attitude, behavior or failure to act that interferes with a child’s wellbeing. It can range from a single verbal insult to extreme verbal belittlement.
Children exposed to domestic violence experience the effects in a variety of ways. They may be directly exposed to the abuser’s violent behavior by witnessing the physical abuse of a parent. They themselves may experience physical, emotional, verbal and/or sexual abuse of a parent. They may be indirectly exposed by overhearing the abuse, the police being called, or noticing bruises after the abuse has occurred.
Every family has trouble getting along now and then. It is okay for people in a family to get upset with each other. But, it is NEVER okay for people in a family to abuse each other. When grownups in your family hit, kick, slap, push, or throw objects at someone else in your family, it is abuse.
Abuse can also happen when family members are put down or touched in wrong ways. Families should not have to live with abuse and violence. If your family has trouble like this, you are not alone. Please tell a safe adult about what is going on. It is also a good idea to have a safety plan to help you know what to do next time someone in your family is being hurt.