Adults who abuse children were often abused themselves as children. Child abuse is usually a family problem. Poverty, inadequate family and social support, alcoholism, unemployment and mental illness are risk factors for child abuse.
Child abusers were often abused themselves as children.
Physical abuse usually involves a stressed parent or caregiver, a vulnerable child, and a precipitating crisis.
Sexual abuse usually occurs when there is inadequate supervision of a child and involves seduction, bribes, threats or force.