Types of Abuse and Neglect
Child abuse is not usually a single incident. It often takes place over a period of time and more than one type of abuse can be happening at the same time.
Child abuse and neglect is a complex issue. There are different forms of child abuse:
- physical abuse
- sexual abuse
- emotional abuse
- psychological abuse
- neglect.
The following descriptions reflect the Department for Child Protection’s use of the terms in the context of its mandate for the protection of children under the Children and Community Services Act 2004. This mandate relates specifically to where a child is or may be in need of protection because of the actions, inactions or inability of his or her parent/s to protect him or her.
The descriptions of the categories of abuse and neglect have two aspects, firstly the action of the parent/s, and secondly harm or likely harm to the child arising from the abuse that is detrimental in effect and significant in nature on the child’s wellbeing.
Physical abuse occurs when a child has experienced severe and/or persistent ill-treatment through behaviours such as beating, shaking, inappropriate administration of alcohol and drugs, attempted suffocation or excessive discipline or physical punishment.
The harm experienced by a child as a result of these behaviours needs to be, or likely to be, detrimental in effect and significant in nature on the child’s wellbeing. Harm that a child may experience as a result of physical abuse can include, but is not limited to, injuries such as cuts, bruises, burns, bites and fractures. The injury resulting from physical abuse is considered to be non-accidental.
Sexual abuse occurs when a child has been exposed or subjected to sexual behaviours that are exploitative and/or inappropriate to his/her age and developmental level. Examples include sexual penetration, inappropriate touching, exposure to sexual acts or pornographic materials.
The harm experienced by a child as a result of these behaviours needs to be, or likely to be, detrimental in effect and significant in nature on the child’s wellbeing. Harm which may result from sexual abuse includes significant emotional trauma, physical injury, infections and impaired emotional and psychological development.
Consideration may need to be given to contextual elements in determining if a situation is abusive, such as the role of coercion or unequal power in a relationship that is claimed to be consensual or socially sanctioned. This is particularly important in relation to sexual behaviour between children as the children’s respective ages, developmental level and the nature of the relationship are important considerations.
Emotional abuse is the sustained, repetitive, inappropriate, ill treatment of a child or young person through behaviours including threatening, belittling, teasing, humiliating, bullying, confusing, ignoring and inappropriate encouragement.
The harm experienced by a child as a result of these behaviours needs to be, or likely to be, detrimental in effect and significant in nature on the child’s wellbeing. Children who have been emotionally abused are likely to have a reduced capacity to; experience a range of emotions, to express emotion appropriately and to modulate their emotional experience. Children who have been emotionally abused are likely to be fearful, withdrawn and/or resentful, distressed and despairing.
Psychological abuse is the sustained, repetitive, inappropriate, ill treatment of a child or young person through behaviours including threatening, isolating, neglecting, discrediting, misleading, disregarding, ignoring and inappropriate encouragement.
Psychological abuse damages a child’s intellectual faculties and processes, including intelligence, memory, recognition, perception, attention, imagination and moral development. The harm experienced needs to be assessed to be or likely to be detrimental in effect and significant in nature on the child’s wellbeing. Children who have been psychologically abused are likely to feel worthless, flawed, unloved, unwanted, endangered or only of value in meeting another’s needs.
Neglect is when a child is not provided with adequate food or shelter, effective medical, therapeutic or remedial treatment, and/or care, nurturance or supervision to a severe and/or persistent extent.
The harm experienced by a child as a result of these behaviours needs to be, or likely to be, detrimental in effect and significant in nature on the child’s wellbeing. Neglect can be acute, chronic or episodic, and can result in detrimental effects on the child or young person’s social, psychological, educational or physical development and/or physical injury.
The deliberate deprivation of a child’s basic needs should be considered within the context of physical, emotional or psychological abuse.
Neglect must be considered within the context of the social and economic environment in which the child lives and the availability of resources. Where the neglect of children is endemic within a community, consideration should be given to a ‘whole of community, capacity building’ approach that seeks to work with the community to address the underlying risk factors contributing to neglect and to strengthen the community’s capacity to meet the holistic needs of the child or young person.
Family and doemstic violence fits within the descriptions of child abuse when it is clear that the child or young person's physical, emotional or psychological development is affected through witnessing violence between parents, or being involved in a violent act between adults in the home.
Causes of Child Abuse
There is no single cause of child abuse. Adults may harm or neglect children due to a number of reasons. Some of these include:
- experiencing problems with alcohol and drugs, and sometimes both
- not coping with the demands of being a parent, and having no supports to help with parenting responsibilities
- relationship difficulties that make it difficult to concentrate on parenting
- an inability to control anger
- having difficulties managing because of past trauma.
Signs of Abuse and Neglect
While physical signs (such as bruises, burns and fractures) or behavioural signs (such as changes in a child’s behaviours, for example highly anxious or withdrawn for no apparent reason) maybe a cause for concern, these indicators can also be seen in children who have not been subjected to abuse and neglect. If you have concerns for a child’s safety and wellbeing contact the Department for Child Protection to discuss your concerns.