Child abuse is an epidemic in many countries, including the United States. It is estimated that every thirteen seconds a child is abused in some way: physically, sexually, emotionally, or through neglect (Friedman). Over 3 million incidents of child abuse involving more than 6 million children are reported each year in the United States. Child abuse can be reduced with proper parental education and increased public awareness. Child abuse is the physical, sexual, emotional mistreatment, or neglect of a child. There are four main categories: neglect, physical abuse, psychological/emotional abuse, and child sexual abuse (Levi, Lo, Selby, & Vandenburg). Neglect is a passive form of abuse in which the perpetrator is responsible for providing care to a victim who is unable to care for themselves, but fails to provide adequate care. Physical abuse is abuse that involves touching intended to cause feelings of intimidation, injury or other physical suffering, or physical harm. This includes extreme exposure to the elements (cold, heat, radiation, burning or freezing), drowning, rape, poisoning, bites and countless other forms of physical harm. Psychological abuse, also known as emotional abuse or mental abuse, is a form of abuse characterized by a person subjecting or exposing another person to behaviors that may result in psychological trauma, including anxiety, chronic depression, or post-stress disorder. -traumatic. (Selby and Vandenburg) Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual abuse include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activity, lewd acts with the intent to gratify sexual desires or to intimidate...... middle of paper ....... .Lo, Celia C., and Tyrone C. Cheng. “The Impact of Childhood Maltreatment on Substance Abuse Among Young Adults.” American Journal of Drug & Alcohol Abuse 33.1 (2007): 139-46. Network. October 30, 2014..Murray, Joseph and David P. Farrington. “Risk Factors for Conduct Disorder and Delinquency: Key Findings from Longitudinal Studies.” Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 55.10 (2010): 633-42. Network. October 30, 2014..Selby, Mary. "Child protection and protection". Practical Nurse 41.4 (2011): 32-39. Network. October 30, 2014..Vandenberg, Brian and Ursula Marsh. “Aggression in Youth: Child Abuse, Gender, and SES.” North American Journal of Psychology 11.3 (2009): 437-41. Network. October 20. 2014.