Types of Abuse & how to Identify them

Physical abuse

Physical abuse is the deliberate physical harm of a person. This includes:

• Hitting
• Throwing
• Burning
• Smothering
• Shaking
• Poisoning
• Drowning

Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates or deliberately induces illness in a child.

Physical signs to look for which might indicate a victim of physical abuse:

• Bruising
• Scarring
• Broken bones
• Burns/Scolds
• Bite Marks
• Any injuries not consistent with the explanation given for them
• Injuries which occur to the body in places which are not normally exposed to falls or rough games
• Injuries which have not received medical attention
• Reluctance to change for, or participate in, games or swimming
• Bruises, bites, burns and fractures, for example, which do not have an accidental explanation
• The child gives inconsistent accounts for the cause of injuries
• Frozen watchfulness

Physical abuse can also affect the emotional wellbeing of a person.
Some signs are listed below:

• Depression and Anxiety
• Hiding injuries with clothing
• Aggression and Violence
• Being distant and withdrawn
• Problems with relationships and socialising

Sexual abuse

Child sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities or encouraging them to behave in a sexual way. The list below shows different types of sexual abuse:

• Physical contact, including assault by penetration- Including rape and oral sex
• Intentionally engaging in sexual activity in front of a child, or not taking precautions to protect children from being exposed to sexual activity by others.
• Paying for the sexual services of a child or encouraging them into prostitution or pornography.
• Physical contact, including non- penetrative acts- Including masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing.
• Meeting a child following sexual 'grooming', or preparation, with the intention of abusing them.
• Paying for the sexual services of a child or encouraging them into prostitution or pornography.
• Encouraging a child to engage in sexual activity of any form.
• Encouraging children to watch or look at pornographic images.

It is important to remember that sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated my adult males. Women and other children can also commit these offences.

• Sudden change in behaviour and school performance
• Displays of affection which are sexual and age inappropriate
• Depression and withdrawal
• Incontinence/ Bed wetting
• Alluding to secrets they cannot reveal
• Tendency to need constant reassurance
• Receipt of or possession of unexplained gifts or money
• Has physical symptoms such as pregnancy.
• Any allegations made by a child concerning sexual abuse.
• The child has an excessive preoccupation with sexual matters and inappropriate knowledge of adult sexual behaviour for their age, or regularly engages in sexual play inappropriate for their age.
• Sexual activity through words, play or drawing
• Repeated urinary infections or unexplained stomach pains
• The child is sexually provocative or seductive with adults.
• Inappropriate bed-sharing arrangements at home
• Severe sleep disturbances with fears, phobias, vivid dreams or nightmares which sometimes have overt or veiled sexual connotations
• Eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia.

Neglect

Children suffer from neglect if they are not provided with their essential needs, such as adequate food, water, shelter, emotional support and health care by their parent or guardian.

Here is a list of types of neglect:

• Inadequate amount of food, clothing or shelter
• Failure to ensure adequate supervision
• Failure to provide a child with the emotional support they need
• Failure to protect a child from physical harm
• Little or no access to appropriate medical care or treatment

Signs that may indicate neglect are listed below:

• Excessive hunger
• Frequently tiredness
• Poor personal hygiene
• Untreated medical conditions
• Inadequate clothing
• Frequent non- attendance at school
• Low self esteem
• Poor dental hygiene
• Poor relationships with peers
• Loss of weight or being constantly under weight
• Dirty skin, body smells, unwashed, uncombed hair and untreated lice
• Clothing that is dirty, too big or small, or inappropriate for weather conditions
• Frequently left unsupervised or alone
• Frequent diarrhoea
• Frequent tiredness
• Untreated illnesses, infected cuts or physical complaints which the carer does not respond to
• Frequently hungry
• Overeating junk food

Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse is the severe and persistent ill treatment which adversely affects a child's emotional health and development. Emotional abuse is likely to occur alongside physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect.

Types of emotion abuse are as follows:

• Humiliating or criticising a child
• Disciplining a child with degrading punishments
• Expecting too much from a child, like pushing them too hard
• Exposing a child to upsetting situations, for instance domestic abuse
• Failing to promote a child’s social development, such as not encouraging them to make friends
• Constantly ignoring a child, and not giving them the attention they need

Signs of emotional abuse can be found below:

• Over reaction to mistakes
• Low self esteem
• Sudden speech disorders
• Aggressive behaviour
• Lack of ability to engage in conversations, and is awkward in social situations
• Drug, alcohol or solvent abuse
• Excessive need for approval, attention and affection
• Slow progress at school
• Self-isolating behaviour
• Depression, aggression, extreme anxiety, changes or regression in mood or behaviour, particularly where a child withdraws or becomes clingy
• Obsessions or phobias
• Sudden underachievement or lack of concentration
• Seeking adult attention and not mixing well with other children
• Sleep or speech disorders
• Negative statements about self
• Highly aggressive or cruel to others
• Extreme shyness or passivity
• Running away, stealing and lying