Review of Related Literature and Related Studies
Child abuse in children has been suggested to not only impair the normal development of the brain but also to have lasting effects in cognition, behavior, affect and social interaction (Perry et al., 1996). According to (Brand et al., 2008) child abuse is any action or lack of action that in any way may endanger or impair a child's emotional, physical or psychological health and development.
Types of abuse Child abuse includes any type of maltreatment or harm inflicted upon children and young people in interactions between adults (Lazenbatt, 2010). (English, 1998) enumerate and define the types of child abuse which are physical, emotional, neglect, and sexual abuse. Physical abuse is an act of commission by a caregiver that results or is likely to result in physical harm, including death of a child. Examples of physical abuse acts include kicking, biting, shaking, stabbing, or punching of a child. Spanking a child is usually considered a disciplinary action; although it can be classified as abusive if the child is bruised or injured. Emotional abuse is the act of commission or omission that includes rejecting, isolating, terrorizing, ignoring or corrupting a child. Examples of emotional abuse are confinement; verbal abuse; withholding sleep, food, or shelter; exposing a child to domestic violence; allowing a child to engage in substance abuse or criminal activity; refusing to provide psychological care; and other inattention that results in harm or potential harm to a child. An important component of emotional or psychological abuse is that it must be sustained and repetitive. Sexual abuse is an act of commission, including intrusion or penetration, molestation with genital contact, or other forms of sexual acts in which children are used to provide sexual gratification for the perpetrator. This type of abuse also includes acts such as sexual exploitation and child pornography. Last is