Types of abuse
What is abuse?
Children have a right to be safe. But some children are hurt, neglected and used by adults or other children. Younger children may not be aware that what is happening to them is abuse.
Abuse and neglect are forms of mistreatment or ill-treatment. Someone may abuse or neglect a child or young person by harming them or by not protecting them from harm. Children and young people can be abused by anyone - an adult or another child or young person and by someone they know or by a stranger. The abuse can happen once or many times.
Types of abuse
Physical abuse
A child or young person may be physically hurt by being hit, shaken, poisoned, deliberately burned or scalded, drowned or suffocated.
Emotional abuse
A child or young person may feel unloved or worthless. They may feel they are always being criticised or blamed. A child or young person may be asked to do things that are not appropriate to their age. A child or young person may be being bullied and feel frightened or they may be seeing adults' ill - treating each other at home.
Sexual abuse
A child or young person may be forced to take part in sexual activities with another child or young person or an adult. This can mean being touched or being made to touch someone else sexually, being forced to have sex or being made to look at pornography.
Neglect
A child or young person may not be looked after properly by their parent or carer. They may not have enough food or clothes or they might not be protected from danger.
It is important if you or someone you know is being abused, that you tell someone so that they can help.
