Domestic violence includes child abuse, domestic violence, and elder abuse. Each of these forms of violence can include psychological, physical and sexual components (Fife, 2012). Domestic violence does not discriminate against any type of individual; instead, it crosses all socio-economic, demographic, educational and religious boundaries. A report on child abuse is produced every ten seconds (“National child abuse”). Child abuse, as defined by the CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010, defines child abuse and neglect as, at a minimum: "Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caregiver guardian that results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse. or exploitation; or an act or failure to act that presents an imminent risk of serious harm. novels and diaries or in modern autobiographies and records. Mommie Dearest, a bestselling autobiography turned film, depicts Christina Crawford's abusive and traumatic adoptive upbringing by her famous Hollywood mother Joan Crawford. Joan, despite her problems with alcohol, men and the pressures of her job, decides to adopt children. However, when these problems begin to combine, Joan turns into a wreck of mental and physical abuse. Parent-child abuse begins when Christina begins to rebel against her mother's strict demands and standards. It is important to understand that as the film precedes, the acts of abuse become more violent, which is what happens in most cases of violence. The first act of abuse occurs when Joan intentionally overtakes Christina in a swimming pool...... middle of paper ......ture. Unlike biological parents, step-parents as well as adoptive parents do not have this restraint, which is why child abuse in this type of relationship is fifty to one hundred times greater (Daly and Wilson, 1998). Violent and malicious attacks against innocent people in society, occur within the family. Child abuse encompasses physical, emotional and sexual components, all of which can seriously harm and change a child's outlook on life. The film Mommie Dearest, based on a real-life case of child abuse, depicts varying levels of abuse towards the antagonist's daughter. Although there is no known reason as to why some parents abuse their children, each act of violence can be derived from several different risk factors such as being a single mother, family systems theory, drug addiction, inclusive fitness, and nepotistic restraint..