Child abuse

Child abuse, physical, emotional, or sexual injury caused to a child under age 16 by an adult. It is often manifested in cuts, abrasions, bruises, and burns. Incidents of abuse are often detected by an inconsistency between an injury and the explanation of how it occurred. Emotional manifestations of abuse are less easily discovered. Small children who have been abused may be distrustful, passive, and overly concerned with pleasing adults. The emotional impact on children usually becomes obvious at school age, when difficulties in forming relationships with teachers and other children arise.