Though there are some situations that are undoubtedly considered, "child abuse", it can take many more forms than one might think. Some of which may not be as blatantly obvious. Child abuse, in its broadest terms, can be defined as an act towards a child that results in bodily and/or mental injury (Help Guide, 2001). It can happen to any child. It does not discriminate against a child because of age, sex, race or economic background. Every American should report suspected child abuse every time, because the damage done by child abuse outweighs any potential harm done by reporting a case that turns out not to be child abuse.
Every day in the United States, four children die from abuse or neglect, which are almost 1,424 children dying in one year; tragically, the numbers continue to grow (Help Guide, 2001). Of the many forms of child abuse, the four most common types of abuse include: physical, emotional, neglect and sexual. Physical abuse is injury to a child that is intentional like biting, burning a child’s arm with a lit cigarette, and in some cases broken bones. Emotional abuse is constant ridicule and belittling a child’s sense of character; such as calling a child “stupid” or scolding them in an unwarranted and merciless fashion. Neglect is robbing a child of their basic human needs, like inadequate food or shelter. Also, letting a child go couple of days without washing can be a type of neglect, as a lack of hygiene can have potentially serious medical consequences (Help Guide, 2001). Then there is sexual abuse: a reprehensible act that is becoming one of the most prevalent forms of abuse. Sexual abuse of a child is defined as behavior by the caretaker, parent, a stranger or family friend that results in inappropriate touching of a child’s genitals, incest, or indecent exposure of the child to pornographic materials. There is not always clear evidence that a child has been sexually abused and 80 percent of victims do not report the abuse. The numbers of...