2 Answers

http://www.ct.gov/dcf/cwp/view.asp?Q=316956&a=2556

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Physical, sexual, or emotional mistreatment or neglect of a child.

Child Abuse has been defined as an act, or failure to act, on the part of a parent or caretaker that results in the death, serious physical or emotional harm, Sexual Abuse, or exploitation of a child, or which places the child in an imminent risk of serious harm (42 U.S.C.A. § 5106g). Child-abuse laws raise difficult legal and political issues, pitting the right of children to be free from harm, on the one hand, against the right of families to privacy and the rights of parents to raise and discipline their children without government interference, on the other.

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Child+Abuse

Bruising -- Battering, anything that brings great pain.. Not to be confused with discipline and a light smack on the butt saying 'no-no!'

Psychological abuse.  Threats to injure, anything that would bring severe fear through suggestion.

Not to be confused with 'Wait until your daddy gets home, you're gunna get it.."