What is Child Abuse? There are many definitions of child abuse. The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (PL 100-294) defines child abuse and neglect as ...the physical or mental injury, sexual abuse, or exploitation [taking advantage of], negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child under the age of 18, or, except in the case of sexual abuse, the age specified by the child protection law of the state by a person (including any employee of a residential facility or any staff person providing out-of-home care) who is responsible for the child's welfare under circumstances which indicate that the child's health or welfare is harmed or threatened thereby... The act defines sexual abuse as using, persuading, or forcing any child to take part in any sexual act for the purpose of producing any pictures, films or videos of sexual activity, or; rape, molestation, prostitution, or; incest with children The act further defines abuse as follows: ...the failure to respond to the infant's life-threatening conditions by providing treatment (including appropriate nutrition, hydration [giving enough water], and medication) which, in the treating physician's or physicians' reasonable medical judgment, will most likely be effective in ameliorating [making better] or correcting all such conditions... Monday's Child was Cruelly Beat, Tuesday's Child had Zero to Eat, Wednesday's Child was Badly Burned, Thursday's Child's Scars have Returned, Friday's Child was Forced into Bed, Saturday's Child has More Tears to Shed, But the Child Abused on Sabbath Day has Nightmares which Simply won't Go Away! By: Margulies/Rothco   This background snatched from my ole pal Brandy   Compliments of the ToyMaker This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page