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| Signs of Abuse |
Abuse in children appears to have been an ongoing
issue for years. In the past some types of abuse have been accepted,
and often encouraged. Badly behaved children, for example, were
often beaten as this was considered to be the “best way of teaching
them right from wrong”. Other forms of abuse, such as sexual abuse
were probably also very common however it was not talked about and
it is therefore likely that children suffered in silence. |
Society has changed considerably
since then and child abuse is no longer acceptable. Although the
change has been gradual, children are now seen to have rights and
the law is well established to try to make sure that children are
safe from abuse.
Child abuse falls into four categories:-
Physical Abuse Physical abuse is when a child is deliberately inflicted with an injury. Physical abuse can take on the form of hitting, kicking, shaking, pushing, biting, burning, scalding, suffocating, intentionally poisoning or being subjected to frightening experiences such as being forced into a dark space or cupboard. Although physical abuse usually results in an obvious injury it also has damaging affects on a child both emotionally and socially. Physical abuse can result in cuts, bruises, fractures, internal injuries and, in the most severe cases, death. It is important to understand that accidental physical injuries are very common in young children and a child who appears to have a history of age-appropriate injuries should not automatically raise suspicion of child abuse. Warning signs of physical abuse include:-
Broadly speaking young children may sustain accidental injuries to their forehead, chin, nose, knees, elbows, forearms, spine, hips and shins. Common sites for non-accidental injuries include the lips and mouth, ears, eyes (particularly if the child suffers from two black eyes at the same time) skull, cheeks, stomach, chest, buttocks, backs of the legs, upper and inner arms, neck, soles of the feet, rectal and genital areas.
Emotional abuse is when a child is refused love, acceptance and approval. Emotional abuse can take the form of:-
Children who are refused love and affection will begin to feel rejected and unsettled and these feelings will have a huge impact on them in later life.
Sexual abuse is when a child is used by an adult for their own sexual gratification. Sexual abuse usually begins gradually and develops over a period of time. Research suggests that, in most cases, sexual abuse is carried out by an adult who is known to the child including relatives, friends and people in a position of trust. Both boys and girls can be victims of sexual abuse which can take the form of:-
Neglect Neglect is when a child’s parents or carers do not provide them with adequate food, clothing, warmth, shelter, care or protection. A child who is neglected does not receive the appropriate care that they need in order to grow and develop and they are basically left to fend for themselves. They may even be deprived of adequate medical care. Many parents who neglect their children do in fact love them. In some cases the parents lack the fundamental knowledge of how to care for their offspring adequately and, if they have personal problems of their own, this can have a devastating negative impact on the child. Some of the more common signs of neglect are:-
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