Types of Abuse


Physical abuse is that which causes or exacerbates physical harm. It would include such actions as:

  • Physical assaults that do not involve the use of a weapon or other implement; kicking, punching, slapping, pushing, pinching, scratching, shaking, pulling hair, spitting etc.
  • Use of an implement or weapon or throwing things; household items not normally considered to be weapons, DIY tools, knives or other kitchen implements etc.
  • Burning or scalding
  • Choking, strangling
  • Poisoning including over medicating, inappropriate use of medicine, alcohol etc.
    (for example to “help the child to sleep”) and also including such things as salt
    poisoning
  • Withholding or withdrawing medical treatments or attention
  • Starvation, withholding drinks etc. so as to cause malnutrition or dehydration
  • Force feeding, causing excessive obesity through overfeeding / inappropriate diet
  • Inappropriate or rough handling, including when performing personal care or
    administering first aid (eg removing a plaster forcefully so as to cause tearing of the
    skin)
  • The use of excessive force or inappropriate restraint
  • Bullying that involves physical harm
  • Physical abuse can happen antenatally through substance misuse etc.
  • Bruising
  • Burns
  • Cuts/ lacerations
  • Fractures or breaks
  • Black eye
  • Untreated medical need (eg. skin conditions, nappy rash ect)
  • Stench of urine/ faeces
  • Drowsiness/ excessive sleep
  • Loss of weight
  • Hunger/ Thirst
  • Wearing extra layers of clothes
  • Aggressive/ violent behaviours
  • Withdrawn, anxious, flinching in specific situations or with specific people
  • Mongolian Blue Spot
  • Brittle bones
  • Leukaemia
  • Other medical conditions

NB. It is not illegal (in England) for a parent to smack a child so long as the smack does not leave a lasting mark (e.g. not lasting more than 5 minutes or so). If the smack causes bruising it is excessive and is abuse and smacking in inappropriate places (e.g. head) is abuse.

NB. The considered decision not to have a child vaccinated is not abuse but failing to attend appointments may indicate neglect.


Sexual abuse involves forcing, enticing or coercing a child into engaging in sexual
activity or exposing a child to sexual materials or activity, whether or not the child is aware of the significance of what is happening. This would include:

  • Forcing, coercing or enticing a child into sexual activity including grooming a child in preparation for abuse
  • Physical sexual contact; rape (vaginally, orally or anally), penetration with an object, inappropriate touching / rubbing, fondling (whether inside or outside of the clothing), kissing, masturbation etc
  • Non-contact activities; the viewing or production of sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, grooming a child in preparation for abuse
  • Sexualised language or conversation and lack of appropriate boundaries and privacy
  • Sexual harassment
  • Indecent exposure
  • Voyeurism
  • Exploitation, causing someone to enter into prostitution
  • Satanic or ritual abuse
  • Bestiality
  • Genital or urinary irritation or bruising in the genital area
  • Frequent infections, pain or itching in the genital area
  • Bleeding from the anus or vagina
  • Sexually transmitted infections
  • Stains on underwear or nightwear
  • Wetting / soiling
  • Bruising in inner thighs or upper arms
  • Difficulty in walking and or sitting
  • Wearing extra clothing
  • Depression
  • Role play
  • Sexualised language or behaviour that is inappropriate for age or developmental
    stage
  • Nightmares/flashbacks
  • Agitation, upset or withdrawal from any physical contact
  • Medical conditions or infections
  • Excessive masturbation
  • Age / developmentally appropriate inquisitiveness, exploration and play

The persistent emotional maltreatment of a child resulting in ongoing severe
adverse effects on emotional development, sense of security, identity and self-
confidence. This would include:

  • Making a child feel afraid, intimidated anxious or ridiculed including domineering
    behaviour
  • Threatening the child, someone else, threatening to harm pets etc.
  • Verbal abuse; shouting, name calling, swearing, use of inappropriate nicknames or
    descriptions etc.
  • Causing a sense of worthlessness or inadequacy, including constant comparison
    (e.g. why cant you be more like…)
  • Making a child feel unloved or only conditionally loved (eg making a child feel that they are only valued or loved insofar as they meet the needs or expectations of
    someone else)
  • Suppressing or denying the opportunity for the child to express their views,
    intentionally silencing them, ridiculing them for their views or beliefs or for the way they communicate
  • Expectations that are age or developmentally inappropriate are imposed on the
    child (over expectation or overprotectiveness that denies or impedes the child’s
    development)
  • Excessive fear or anxiety
  • Flinching in the presence of a particular person or in a particular circumstances
  • Unusual patterns of crying, weeping, sobbing ect
  • Low self-esteem
  • Insomnia, sleep deprivation or the need for excessive sleep
  • Change in appetite
  • Unusual or unexplained weight loss or gain
  • Paranoia
  • Mood swings, changes in mood or behaviour
  • Withdrawal and inability or discomfort with social situations and interactions
  • Death or illness in the family
  • Family relationship breakdown
  • Family stress or specific family issues
  • Medical or psychological conditions
  • Death of a pet

Neglect is the persistent and ongoing failure to meet the basic physical and/or
psychological needs of the child to the extent that it is likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. This would include:

  • Failure to provide the basic necessities of life such as adequate food, clothing,
    shelter
  • Failure to protect a child from physical or emotional danger
  • Abandonment, being left “home alone”, inadequate supervision (including
    inappropriate or inadequate care givers)
  • Failure to provide adequate medical care (attending appointments, administering
    medications and / or treatments)
  • Unresponsiveness to a child’s basic emotional, psychological or developmental
    needs
  • Can occur antenatally through such things as maternal substance misuse
  • Significant needs persistently unmet
  • Poor physical care
  • Lack of food / drink inappropriate or inadequate diet
  • Failure to access medical care or to follow medical advice / instruction
  • Inappropriate clothing
  • Poor hygiene
  • Lack or supervision
    Isolation, ignoring, exclusion
  • Lack of heating / lighting
  • Leaving a child to lie in faeces / urine
  • Not aiding communication or providing adequate stimulation
  • Failure to meet cultural, religious or social needs
  • Neglecting pets
  • Medical conditions
  • Poverty
  • Family Stress
  • Parental disabilities/ young carers
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