Legal Definitions - immediately harmful behavior

Definition:Immediatelyharmful behavior refers to conduct that could cause injury or harm to another person, especially a child. This behavior can be physical, emotional, or sexual in nature and can have serious consequences for the victim.

Examples:

• Physical abuse, such as hitting, kicking, or shaking a child
• Emotional abuse, such as belittling, threatening, or isolating a child
• Sexual abuse, such as touching, fondling, or exposing a child to sexual content

These examples illustrate how immediately harmful behavior can have serious consequences for a child's physical and emotional well-being. Such behavior can cause long-term damage and trauma, and it is important to take action to protect children from harm.