The illegal or improper use of a child or of the resources of a child for monetary or personal benefit, profit, or gain by an employee, volunteer, or other individual working under the auspices of a facility or program as further described by rule or policy is called?

• A. Abuse
• B. Neglect
• C. Endangerment
• D. Exploitation

Answer: (D)

Exploitation means using a child or the resources connected to a child for someone else’s monetary or personal gain when that person is in a position of trust within a facility or program. It focuses on improper use of the child’s money, property, services, or opportunities for profit, rather than causing direct harm. This differs from abuse, which involves harming the child, neglect, which is failing to meet basic needs, or endangerment, which is placing the child at risk. In practice, it could be a staff member diverting funds meant for a child or leveraging a child’s status or resources to benefit the adult’s own interests without proper authorization. The conduct is illegal or against policy because it exploits the child for someone else’s gain. Therefore, the correct term is exploitation.