Glossary

Measures and structures to prevent and respond to abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence affecting children.

Every human being below the age of eighteen years old.

It is a threefold concept: a right, a principle and a rule of procedure based on an assessment of all elements of a child’s or children’s interests in a specific situation both in the public and private sphere which must be determined on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration their personal context, situation and need. Accordingly, the concept of the child’s best interests is flexible and adaptable. The concept of the child’s best interests is aimed at ensuring both the full and effective enjoyment of all the rights recognized in the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the holistic development of the child. The full application of the concept of the child’s best interests requires the development of a rights-based approach, engaging all actors, to secure the holistic physical, psychological, moral and spiritual integrity of the child and promote his or her human dignity.

Emotional abuse happens when a child is repeatedly made to feel worthless, unloved, alone or scared. For instance: continually ignoring or rejecting a child, physically or socially isolating a child, forcing a child to do things by scaring them, constantly criticizing, humiliating or blaming a child, constantly swearing, yelling or screaming at a child, bullying, teasing, insulting or belittling a child, having unrealistic expectations or unreasonable demands of a child, not allowing a child to explore, express themselves, learn or make friends, treating a child badly because of things they can’t change.

Child exploitation includes child domestic work, child soldiers, the recruitment and involvement of children in armed conflict, sexual exploitation and pornography, the use of children for criminal activities including the sale and distribution of narcotics and the involvement of children in harmful or hazardous work.

Grooming is when someone builds an emotional connection with a child to gain their trust for the purposes of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or trafficking. Children and young people can be groomed online or face-to-face, by a stranger or by someone they know – for example a family member, friend or professional, family member, friend or professional.

Child maltreatment is the abuse and neglect that occurs to children under 18 years of age. It includes all types of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, negligence and commercial or other exploitation, which results 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  both in presence or through information technology.

Is “use of a child in sexual activities for remuneration or any other form of consideration”. The definition emphasizes that the child is a victim of exploitation, even if apparent consent is given. It should always be kept in mind that the crime of child prostitution in the strict sense also covers the case where sexual intercourse in exchange of payment  is consummated with the consent or agreement of the minor. If the datum of consensuality is lacking, other offenses may occur, which find their specificity in violence, threats, and abuse of the minor’s own conditions of physical and psychological inferiority . Nonetheless, according to other sources, an absolute presumption of invalidity of consent applies, for all cases of involvement of a minor under the age of eighteen in mercenary sexual practices, even in cases where the minor has explicitly given it. 

Is the involvement of a child in sexual activity that he or she does not fully comprehend, is unable to give informed consent to, or for which the child is not developmentally prepared and cannot give consent, or that violates the laws or social taboos of society. Child sexual abuse is evidenced by this activity between a child and an adult or another child who by age or development is in a relationship of responsibility, trust or power, the activity being intended to gratify or satisfy the needs of the other person.

Is a physical, sexual, and/or psychological maltreatment or neglect of a child or children, especially by a parent or a caregiver. Child abuse may include any act or failure to act by a parent or a caregiver that results in actual or potential harm to a child and can occur in a child’s home, or in the organizations, schools, or communities the child interacts with.

Emotional abuse happens when a child is repeatedly made to feel worthless, unloved, alone or scared. For instance: continually ignoring or rejecting a child, physically or socially isolating a child, forcing a child to do things by scaring them, constantly criticizing, humiliating or blaming a child, constantly swearing, yelling or screaming at a child, bullying, teasing, insulting or belittling a child, having unrealistic expectations or unreasonable demands of a child, not allowing a child to explore, express themselves, learn or make friends, treating a child badly because of things they can’t change.

Physical abuse is an injury deliberately inflicted upon a child by any person, including adults. Physical abuse includes fractured or broken bones, burns, severe and/or frequent bruises, and any other intentionally inflicted physical harm.

Child sexual abuse material  refers to any content that depicts sexually explicit activities involving a child. Visual depictions include photographs, videos, live streaming, and digital or computer generated images indistinguishable from an actual minor.

Consists of individuals, professionals and advocacy organizations who speak out on the best interests of children’s rights, needs, and well-being at individual, community, and societal levels.

An exploration of children’s rights as defined by international conventions and laws, highlighting the fundamental rights children are entitled to.

Is a group of services designed to promote the well-being of children by ensuring safety, achieving permanency, and strengthening families to successfully care for their children. 

Keeping the child in focus when making decisions about their lives and working in partnership with them and their families. 

Keeping the child in focus when making decisions about their lives and working in partnership with them and their families.