KEY POINTS • Childhood verbal abuse (CVA) is currently categorized under the broad umbrella of “emotional abuse.” • Along with four other child maltreatment subtypes, CVA should be a stand-alone child maltreatment subtype. • Recognizing and defining specific types of CVA is a starting point for preventing it. • A recent systematic review and meta-analysis identifies at least 22 unique types of childhood verbal abuse. In my opinion, the list of unique types of verbal abuse omitted one important one: lying, or malicious untruthfulness to children. I'm thinking here of the spiteful ex-wives who destroy the father's reputation in the...