CHILD ABUSE

Child abuse and neglect occurs in a range of situations, for a range of reasons. Children are rarely subject
to one form of abuse at a time. They can experience a range of psychological, emotional and social
problems related to childhood abuse.
Physical abuse
Physical abuse of a child is when a parent or caregiver causes any non-accidental physical injury to a
child. It may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or
otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or caregiver fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces illness in a child.
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse describes any incident in an adult engages a minor in a sexual act, or exposes the minor to inappropriate
sexual behaviour or material. Sexual abuse also describes any incident in which a child is coerced into sexual activity
by another child. A person may sexually abuse a child using threats and physical force, but sexual abuse often involves
subtle forms of manipulation, in which the child is coerced into believing that the activity is an expression of love, or
that the child brought the abuse upon themselves. Sexual abuse involves contact and non-contact offences.
Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse refers to the psychological and social aspects of child abuse; it is the most common form
of child abuse.
Many parents are emotionally abusive without being violent or sexually abusive. Some parents who are
emotionally abusive parents practice forms of child-rearing that are orientated towards fulfilling their own
needs and goals, rather than those of their children. Their parenting style may be characterized by overt
aggression towards their children, including shouting and intimidation, or they may manipulate their
children using more subtle means, such as emotional blackmail.
Emotional abuse does not only occur in the home. Children can be emotionally abused by teachers and
other adults in a position of power over the child. Children can also be emotionally abused by other
children in the form of "bullying". Chronic emotional abuse in schools is a serious cause of harm to
victimized children and warrants ongoing active intervention.
What are the effects of Child Abuse
The effects of abuse are wide ranging and usually long lasting, and can include:
Physical development:

Self harm including slashing wrists, actual or attempted suicide

Educational problems, e.g. slow to develop speech

Burns, blisters and other physical manifestations

Delayed developmental milestones

Problem with motor movements and joints.

Permanent disability

Death as a result of the abuse (particularly if physical abuse or neglect)

Eating problems e.g. anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa

Sexual behaviour, language, or knowledge too advanced for their age

Bedwetting, sleep problems, nightmares

Emotional development:

Mental health problems

Substance (drug and alcohol) abuse

Difficulty in parenting their own children as they have not experienced a nurturing environment
during their growth

Failure to thrive and achieve the best of their ability

Low self esteem

Overly sensitive and unable to take pressure.

Withdrawn, unhappy and suicidal behaviour

Aggressive and violent behaviour

Mood swings

Detachment

Social development:

Problematic behaviour enagaging in anti-social activities

Relationship difficulties due to lack of trust and bonding

May engage in bullying themselves as a form of revenge.

Insensitive towards others needs.

Cognitive development:

Poor academic performance

Poor concentration and attention span

Low memory and processing speed