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Child abuse is when anyone under the age of 18 is either being harmed or not properly looked after. There are four main categories of child abuse: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. Find out more about each below, as well as the warning signs that a child may be being abused.
Physical abuse is when someone hurts a child or young person on purpose.
Examples of physical abuse are:
Signs and symptoms of physical abuse in children can include:
The above are just a few examples.
Sexual abuse is when a child is enticed or forced to take part in sexual activities. This kind of abuse does not always involve a high level of violence and the child may or may not be aware of what is happening.
The abuse may be committed by adult men and women, or by other children.
Examples of sexual abuse are:
Signs and symptoms of sexual abuse in children can include:
The above are just a few examples. Another form of sexual abuse is child sexual exploitation.
Emotional abuse happens in many different ways. It can affect how a young person or child feels about themselves, or how they fit in with friends, at school, or where they live.
Examples of emotional abuse are:
Signs and symptoms of emotional abuse in children can include:
The above are just a few examples.
Neglect is when a child or young person’s basic needs are persistently not being met by their parent or guardian.
These basic needs include:
Signs and symptoms of neglect in children can include:
The above are just a few examples.
If you suspect a child is suffering from abuse, even if you’re not sure, please tell someone. Find out the different ways you can get in touch on our How to report possible child abuse page.