What is child abuse?
A child is any person under 18 years of age.
Child abuse is action, behaviours or inaction by an adult towards a child or young person that harms or endangers the child's:
- physical
- psychological or emotional health
- development or wellbeing.
Harm is the impact on the child or young person, what is actually experienced or likely to be experienced by the child or young person.
What is important, in terms of the Child Protection Act 1999, is whether a child or young person:
- has suffered harm, is suffering harm, or is at unacceptable risk of suffering harm
- does not have a parent who is able and willing to protect them from harm.
Harm can occur as a result of one serious incident or a series of incidences that occur over time:
- Last updated
- 25 June 2008
