A. Child abuse is mistreatment of a minor under the age of eighteen. The definition of child abuse in the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (Public Law 100-294) defines child abuse and neglect as:
the physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation, negligent treatment, or maltreatment: of a child (a person under the age of 18, unless the child protection law of the State in which the child resides specifies a younger age for cases not involving sexual abuse) by a person (including any employee of a residential facility or any staff person providing out-of-home care) who is responsible for the child's welfare under circumstances which indicate that the child's health or welfare is harmed or threatened thereby.
No matter what state or country you live in, there are strong laws against child abuse, harsh punishments against offenders, and swift reactions to protect victims of child abuse.