What’s Abuse?
Being mistreated or abused (sometimes called ‘Significant Harm’) is defined as Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse, Neglect or Emotional Abuse.
|
|
Physical Abuse When an adult deliberately hurts a child, such as hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, drowning or suffocating. |
 |
Emotional Abuse This would happen, for instance, when a child is all the time being unfairly blamed for everything, or told they are stupid and made to feel unhappy. |
|
|
Sexual Abuse An examples of sexual abuse would be where a child has been forced to take part in sexual activities or in the taking of rude photos . |
|
|
Bullying E.g. calling names, damaging property, stealing, spreading rumours, cyberbullying, hurting, getting people into trouble |
|
|
Domestic Violence When one adult in a family or relationship threatens, bullies or hurts another adult e.g. physically, psychologically, emotionally, sexually or financially. |
|
|
Neglect Where a child is not being looked after properly, for example, not getting enough to eat or being left alone in dangerous situations. |
Spotting the signs of child abuse and neglect
To spot the signs of child abuse or neglect, look for changes in:
-
- Appearance – such as frequent unexplained injuries, consistently poor hygiene, matted hair, unexplained gifts, or a parent regularly collecting children from school when drunk
-
- Behaviour – such as demanding or aggressive behaviour, frequent lateness or absence from school, avoiding their own family, misusing drugs or alcohol, or being constantly tired
-
- Communication – such as sexual or aggressive language, self-harming, becoming secretive and reluctant to share information or being overly obedient