CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

Course overview

THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) DEFINES CHILD MALTREATMENT AS “ALL FORMS OF PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL ILL-TREATMENT, SEXUAL ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION THAT RESULTS IN ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL HARM TO THE CHILD’S HEALTH, DEVELOPMENT OR DIGNITY.” THERE ARE FOUR MAIN TYPES OF ABUSE: NEGLECT, PHYSICAL ABUSE, PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE, AND SEXUAL ABUSE. ABUSE IS DEFINED AS AN ACT OF COMMISSION AND NEGLECT IS DEFINED AS AN ACT OF OMISSION IN THE CARE LEADING TO POTENTIAL OR ACTUAL HARM. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EPIDEMIOLOGY, PRESENTATION, AND DIAGNOSIS OF CHILD ABUSE AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN ITS MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTION.