child abuse

noun

1. mistreatment of a child by a parent or guardian, including neglect, beating, and sexual molestation.

child abuse

noun

1. physical, sexual, or emotional ill-treatment or neglect of a child, esp by those responsible for its welfare See also nonaccidental injury

Word History and Origins

Origin of child abuse¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

The process was thrown into chaos when the leading candidate ministers hoped to appoint, former Northern Ireland police officer and child abuse expert Jim Gamble, said he was not interested in the job.

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Arrests relating to 764 have been made for child abuse, kidnapping and murder in at least eight countries, including the UK.

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Three people were wrongly accused of downloading child abuse images due to a broadband wiring error by a BT engineer, a tribunal has heard.

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The BBC's board had commissioned the report in the wake of the Huw Edwards scandal - the former senior news presenter admitted offences involving child abuse images last year.

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A lawyer representing 150 victims of the Jesus Army said plans to allow people accused of child abuse to receive a share of the cult's fortune were "shameful".

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