Child abuse can take many forms, each of which is punished severely under the criminal laws of Florida. A caretaker, parent, teacher, or guardian should always look to the best interests of any children in his or her care and refrain from inflicting any kind of harm. Child abuse ranges from the emotional and physical to true neglect of a child's welfare. Sexual abuse is also a significant problem that has received increasing amounts of attention.
Child abuse can include causing undue mental anguish or physical harm. For example, throwing a small child down a staircase would be an example of physical abuse. More commonly, shaking an infant is physical abuse that can cause lifelong brain damage, whiplash injuries, and even death. Although a frustrated caregiver may shake a baby that will not stop crying, the shaking action and resulting brain injuries account for as many as half of all deaths caused by child abuse in the United States each year.
Child neglect occurs when a parent, guardian, or other caregiver does not meet the basic needs of a child. Failure to provide adequate medical care, food, living conditions, and mandatory education can all be considered child neglect. Even if a parent never strikes his child, failing to take the child to the doctor or the emergency room when she is very ill may be considered child neglect.
The sexual abuse of children has received increased media attention and caused significant concern among parents, which is at least partially responsible for the existence of the sex offender and sexual predator registry in the state of Florida. Unfortunately, small children may suffer sexual abuse at the hands of family members, baby-sitters, or even strangers. Teenagers, on the other hand, seem to be more likely to be abused by older adults who are interested in an inappropriate sexual relationship with the teen, including teachers who prey on their teenaged students.
