Physical abuse is defined as aggression that leads to potential injury or may cause an additional risk of damage. This can be outright beating a child or may just be rough play, severe tickling or dangerous play that may lead to problems. Physical damage can be as simple as bruises or may include broken bones and loss of consciousness. While some households practice corporal punishment, the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations has taken a firm stance against the practice, calling it degrading to children and prohibiting it as far back as 1992.
Sexual abuse happens when children are exposed to behaviors by an adult or an older person who has authority over them in some fashion, typically entrusted to care for them in the absence of a parent. The sexual behavior is done for adult gratification and severely exploits the trust of the child.
Psychological abuse is more subtle. It is intended to create fear, destroy dignity and damage psychological integrity. It’s usually done in the form of verbal abuse, such as threats of abandonment, berating children, disparaging them or scapegoating. They can also manifest in such degrading actions as standing in a corner, putting them in a closet, tying them down or humiliation in front of others. Sometimes, children are coerced into harming themselves physically as a form of self-punishment.
Neglect is simply the omission of care in a manner that threatens actual survival. A lack of food, shelter, clothing or just leaving the child without supervision can be construed as neglect.