Abuse is generally broken down into four different types which include; physical, sexual, emotional or psychological, and neglect (Norman et al., 2012). During fiscal year 2012, an estimated 686,000 children were abused and neglected in the United States (Child Maltreatment, 2012). 686,000 includes children who the state determines have suffered at least one form of abuse and includes children who have died as a result of abuse (Child Maltreatment, 2012). There are many signs and symptoms that children experiencing abuse may exhibit, some signs and symptoms overlap, and some are unique to the type of abuse the child is experiencing. In addition to the experience of abuse and the signs of imitation that a child may show, there are also long-term effects of abuse that can last into adulthood. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the four types of abuse, the signs and symptoms, and the long-term effects that an abused child may face throughout his or her life. Physical Abuse Physical abuse of a child is defined as the intentional use of excessive physical force that causes or may result in injury, health risks, developmental problems, and possibly even death (Norman et al., 2012). In most cases, a child is abused by a parent or caregiver, but sometimes the abuse may be inflicted by an older sibling (Crosson-Tower, 2008). Cultural differences can distort the lines between tradition, discipline, and abuse (Crosson-Tower, 2008). Typically abuse occurs when a bruise or mark is left and is visible for a prolonged period of time and when an investigation takes place culture is taken into account to some extent (Crosson-Tower, 2008). One of the most common indicators of physical abuse is bruising (Crosson-Tower, 2008)....... middle of paper...... Long-term effects of child abuse. Journal of Assault, Maltreatment, and Trauma, 11(4), 29-52. doi:10.1300/J146v11n04•02Child Maltreatment 2012. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/resource/child-maltreatment-2012Crosson-Tower, C. (2008). Exploring children's well-being from a practical perspective (6th ed.). United States: Pearson.Norman, R. E., Byambaa, M., De, R., Butchart, A., Scott, J., & Vos, T. (2012). The long-term health consequences of physical abuse, emotional abuse, and child neglect: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Plos Medicina, 9(11), 1-31. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1001349Silvern, L., & Griese, B. (2012). Multiple types of childhood maltreatment, posttraumatic stress, dissociative symptoms, and reactive aggression among adolescent offenders. Journal of Childhood and Adolescent Trauma, 5(2), 88-101. doi:10.1080/19361521.2012.671799