Child abuse is considered an act of a parent or a caretaker which results in serious physical or mental harm, potential for harm or threat of a harm to a child.

In the United States the control over the child abuse goes basically under the responsibility of the state and local governments. Each state has passed its own enacted laws that define the term "child maltreatment" and define the conditions under which and when outside intervention is required to establish judicial and administrative structure.

The Child Abuse Law abides by two major tendencies: protection for the child of being harmed and the right of the parents to upbring and discipline their own children without the intervention of the state.

There are a few major categories of child abuse: physical, psychological, emotional, sexual and neglect. Also, as a child abuse is considered the exploitation of a child and the life in a risky living inhabitant.

Many of the child abuse acts happens at schools, child's homes and on the street.