Definitions of Abuse
Province of British Columbia. (1988). Inter-ministry child abuse handbook: An integrated approach to child abuse and neglect, 1988 edition. Victoria: Queen's Printer, p10-11.
ABUSE
means physical, sexual or emotional abuse
PHYSICAL ABUSE
means any physical force or action which results in or may potentially result in a non-accidental injury to a child and which exceeds that which could be considered reasonable discipline.
SEXUAL ABUSE
means sexual exploitation of a child whether consensual or not. It includes touching of a sexual nature and sexual intercourse, and may include any other behaviour of a sexual nature toward a child. In determining whether behaviour is of a sexual nature, one should ask whether a reasonable observer, looking at the behaviour in its context, would conclude that it is. This would include normal affectionate behaviour towards children and normal health or hygiene care.
Sexual activity between children may constitute sexual abuse if the difference in age or power between children is so significant that the older or more powerful child is clearly taking sexual advantage of the younger or less powerful child. This would exclude consensual, developmentally appropriate sexual activity between children where there is no significant difference in age or power between children.
EMOTIONAL ABUSE
means acts or omissions of those responsible for the care of a child which are likely to produce long term and serious emotional disorder. This might include effects such as non-organic failure to thrive; developmental retardation; serious anxiety, depression or withdrawal; or serious behavioural disturbance.
NEGLECT
means the failure of those responsible for the care of the child to meet the physical, emotional or medical needs of a child to an extent that the child's health, development, or safety is endangered.