This article examines the issues that arise between the conceptual definition of child psychological maltreatment as used by researchers and clinicians, and the one used by different cultures and communities. The author notes that the most developmentally destructive element of child maltreatment is psychological maltreatment, and that children have a better chance of surviving abuse if the psychological implications of shame and rejection do not accompany the abuse. In other words, psychological maltreatment is about the meaning of abuse as used by child development professionals as well as those in the community. The author states that in order to maintain and defend the basic human rights of children, standards of care for how children are treated need to include this definition of psychological maltreatment. References