What are the three main types of child abuse?

The three main types of child abuse are correctly identified as physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.

Physical abuse involves causing physical harm to a child, such as hitting, burning, or other forms of physical violence that can result in injury or harm. Sexual abuse encompasses any sexual act or exploitation of a child, which can include inappropriate touching or exposure to sexual acts. Emotional abuse, sometimes referred to as psychological abuse, involves harming a child's emotional wellbeing through actions such as verbal abuse, rejection, or excessive criticism—ultimately damaging the child's self-esteem and emotional development.

Understanding these categories is crucial for identifying and addressing issues of child abuse and neglect, and they represent the primary forms of abuse recognized in many child welfare frameworks, including those used by the Florida Department of Children and Families. Other combinations mentioned, such as verbal or psychological, do not fully capture the legal and practical definitions of abuse within this context.