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 DEFINING CHILD ABUSE |
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In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, The Juvenile Act defines a child as an individual who is under the age of 18 years. Child abuse or child maltreatment is defined as an act or omission that threatens the health or welfare of a child. Types of child abuse include physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and imminent risk. Child abuse does not refer to a parent's or caretaker's reasonable exercise of discipline, but rather to injuries a child may receive as a result of the adult's action or inaction. Harm to children can result from:
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