Legal Definitions - seriously harmful behavior

Definition: Seriously harmful behavior refers to conduct that has the potential to cause serious injury or harm to another person, especially a child. This can include physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and abandonment.

Examples:

• Physical battering
• Physical neglect
• Sexual abuse
• Abandonment

These examples illustrate how seriously harmful behavior can take many forms, but all have the potential to cause significant harm to a child. Physical battering and neglect can result in physical injuries, while sexual abuse can cause emotional and psychological trauma. Abandonment can also have long-lasting effects on a child's well-being.