Nihal TUNCA [1] , Ãzge OZER [2]
Child abuse is a subject that has been attracted attention and researched by different researchers all over the world in recent years. However, due to the cultural differences of societies, it is perceived and defined differently in every society. The values, norms, knowledge about child development, beliefs and intra-family relationships determine which behaviors committed against a child in a society are child abuse (Robin, 1991; WHO, 2002). Child abuse can be defined as the exposure of children in the 0-18 age group to all kinds of preventable behaviors other than accidents that negatively affect their growth and development by their dependent adult or another child (Yalç?n, 2011). Today, child abuse is examined in five groups together with economic abuse. These are physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, economic abuse and neglect. There are different reasons for abuse and neglect according to biological, psychological and sociological studies. When all the reasons are considered together, it is seen that child abuse and neglect are generally related to the life stress of the family (Ünal, 2008). Economic insufficiency for the family is one of the most important stress sources and can manifest itself in poverty, unemployment and borrowing.
