ABSTRACT
Child abuse is a serious global problem with grave consequences to the child victim but also to society. Researchers and clinicians have identified serious effects to the child's development, behaviour, intellectual functioning and social competence. The estimates of incidence levels in combination with the findings related to the detrimental outcomes to children, the demands on the service system and the costs involved, have contributed to the consideration of the phenomenon of child maltreatment, of all types, as a public health problem (WHO, 1999). The definition established by WHO is the following:
Child abuse or maltreatment constitutes 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 in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power.
