There is no single definition of abuse. In the United States variations of abuse—physical (heavy use of corporal punishment), neglect (deprivation of food or medical care, poor hygiene, abandonment, inadequate protection from danger, inadequate supervision), sexual abuse—are defined by state rather than by federal law. Internationally, different nations and cultures vary in their definitions. One general standard used by the World Health Organization to identify commonalities defines child abuse as "all forms of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child's health, survival, development, or dignity. …" But this definition leaves a lot of gray area, especially when poverty, war, and other such conditions make it difficult for adults to care for children.
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