Establishing a VIP Programme

Definitions

Child
Children aged from 0 to 14 years
Note that the Children, Young Persons and their Families Act 1989 covers young people up to there seventeenth birthday.

Child abuse
The harming (physically, emotionally or sexually), ill treatment, abuse, neglect or serious deprivation of any child, or young person (Section 14b Children, Young Persons and their Families Act 1989)

Child emotional/psychological abuse
Any act or omission that results in impaired psychological, social, intellectual and/or emotional functioning and development of a child or young person

Child protection
Activities carried out to ensure the safety of the child in cases where there is abuse or risk of abuse

Child sexual abuse:
Any act or acts that result in the sexual exploitation of a child or young person, whether consensual or not

Family violence
Violence or abuse of any type, perpetrated by one family member against another family member, including child abuse, partner abuse and elder abuse

Neglect
Any act or omission that results in impaired physical functioning, injury and/or development of a child or a young person, including physical and medical neglect, neglectful supervision, abandonment and refusal to assume parental responsibility

Physical abuse
Acts of violence that may result in pain, injury, impairment or diseases, may include hitting, choking or in any way assaulting another person and also under/over medicating

Physical abuse usually results in visible evidence of bruising, fractures, burns, lacerations, etc, though the difference between accidental injury and abuse can be slight and require expert investigation.

Child physical abuse is any act or acts that may result in inflicted injury to a child or young person.

Young person
14-17 years old.

(Fanlsow, 2002: 84–5)

View the Ministry of Health Family Violence Intervention Guidelines: Child and Partner Abuse.


Page last updated: 1 August 2007