Information for Families

What is Child Abuse?

Child abuse is when a child or young person suffers harm or even dies because of maltreatment or neglect by an adult.  It can take many forms, not all of them visible.  Often, a child may be subjected to a combination of different kinds of abuse.

Children are usually abused by someone in their immediate family circle. This can include parents, brothers or sisters, babysitters or other familiar adults. It is quite unusual for strangers to be involved.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse occurs when an adult deliberately hurts a child or does not protect a child from injury.  

It includes hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, drowning and suffocating.

Neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child's basic physical and psychological needs.  

This might mean that a child is not being given enough food, is being left on their own in dangerous situations, or is cold, dirty or without adequate clothing.  It also includes failing to make sure that a child gets the medical care they need.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse involves regular emotional ill-treatment of a child.

This might include communicating to a child that they are worthless, inadequate or unloved.  It may feature inappropriate expectations, involve regularly causing a child to feel frightened or in danger, or exploiting or corrupting a child.  

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening.

These may involve physical contact or non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at pornography, watching sexual acts, or encouraging them to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.

Keeping Children Safe is Everybody’s Business!

If an adult discovers that a child is being abused or is at risk of this happening, he or she should do all they can to stop the abuse.

You will find more information and contact details under What to do if You’re Worried a Child is Being Abused.

You can find more detailed information about abuse in the Workers section of this site under Recognising Abuse.