Child abuse is when an adult physically, sexually or emotionally hurts a child.

Physical abuse: Any intentional injury to a child. This includes hitting, kicking, slapping, shaking, burning, pinching, hair pulling, biting, choking, throwing, shoving, whipping and paddling.

Sexual abuse: Any sexual act between an adult and child or teenager. This includes fondling, penetration of the mouth, anus or vagina with an object or penis, intercourse, exploitation, which means to make use of someone in a mean or unfair way, pornography, child prostitution, oral sex or forcing a child or teen to watch sexual acts or pornography.

Neglect: Ongoing failure to provide for a child or teen’s basic needs. This includes not providing enough food or appropriate clothes for the weather. It can mean a lack of supervision or housing, abandoning a child, or denying a child medical care.

Emotional abuse: Any attitude or ongoing behavior that hurts a child’s mental health or growth. This includes yelling, screaming, name-calling, shaming, telling the child they are “bad, no good, worthless” or “a mistake.” It also includes failing to provide the affection and support that children need to grow into healthy adults. This includes ignoring a child or never praising or showing affection.