What is abuse?
Child abuse is when anyone under 18 is being harmed or isn't
being properly looked after.
There are four main
types of child abuse
- Physical abuse
- sexual abuse
- emotional abuse
- neglect
Physical abuse
This is when someone hurts a child or young person on purpose.
Physical abuse can include:
- hitting
- shaking
- poisoning
- burning
- drowning
- suffocating
- making a child ill
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse is when someone under the age of 16 is told, asked
or forced to take part in sexual activities. There are many
different ways in which a young person can be sexually abused,
including:
- making them do sexual things either to themselves or with other
people
- involving them in the making of films, videos or DVDs or taking
photos and videos on mobile phones that involve sexual
activity
- making them watch sexual behaviour
Signs of possible sexual abuse
- something a child has told you
- something a child has told someone else
- a child who shows worrying sexualised behaviour in their play
or with other children
- a child who seems to have inappropriate sexual knowledge for
their age
- a child who may be visiting or being looked after by a known or
suspected sexual offender
Emotional harm
Emotional abuse happens in many different ways. It can affect
how a young person or child feels about themselves, how they feel
they fit in with their friends, at school, or where they live.
Examples of emotional abuse are:
- being made to feel inadequate, wrong or unhappy
- being unfairly blamed
- being bullied
- being made to feel frightened or in danger
- seeing or hearing someone from home being hurt by another
member of the family (domestic violence).
Signs which may suggest emotional harm
The following signs may be present in children whose parents are
over-critical and emotionally distant, or who are unable to meet
their child's emotional needs:
- children whose behaviour is excessive, for example, excessive
bed wetting, overeating, rocking or head banging
- children who self harm, for example, they may cut or scratch
themselves or overdose
- children who try suicide
- children who persistently run away from home
- children who show high levels of anxiety, unhappiness or
withdrawal
- children who usually seek out or avoid affection
Neglect
Neglect is when a child or young person is not being properly
looked after. This could damage their health or wellbeing. These
very basic needs include:
- food shelter (a safe place to stay/roof over your head)
- safety at home
- proper clothing
- good cleanliness being
- kept warm
- any necessary medical treatment
- protection from physical and emotional harm or danger .
Signs which may suggest neglect
- squalid, unhygienic or dangerous home conditions
- parents who fail to attend to their children's health or
development needs
- children who appear persistently undersized or underweight
- children who continually appear tired or lacking in energy
- children who suffer injuries often due to lack of
supervision.
Positive ways of protecting children
What do children need?
- to feel safe and secure
- health and happiness
- appropriate affection
- lots of smiles
- praise and encouragement
- to be able to talk to someone
- to be listened to
- new experiences
- respect for their feelings
- rewards and treats
Still concerned about a child?
If you have concerns about a child's welfare or suspect that a
child is being neglected or abused, please telephone Redbridge
Council on:
Your concerns will be properly considered and
acted upon by a senior officer. For immediate help ring the police
on 999.
