Abuse includes which of the following actions by a person toward a child?

• A. Mental or Emotional Injury
• B. Physical Injury
• C. Causing, Permitting, or Encouraging a Child to Use a Controlled Substance
• D. All of the Above

Answer: (D)

Abuse of a child includes a range of harmful actions by someone responsible for the child’s care. Physical injury covers harm to the body through violence or physical harm. Mental or emotional injury refers to actions that seriously damage a child’s mental health or emotional well-being, such as ongoing threats, humiliation, or terrorizing behavior. Causing, permitting, or encouraging a child to use a controlled substance is also abuse because it endangers the child’s health and development. Because all of these actions are recognized forms of abuse, the correct choice is all of the above.