Abuse & Neglect
What are Abuse & Neglect
Abuse is the physical or psychological maltreatment of a child. It is an action, or lack of action, which endangers a child’s physical, psychological, or emotional health and development. Abuse can be physical, sexual, or emotional.
Some indicators of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse are: unexplained bruising, burns, or injuries, shyness or antisocial behavior, sudden changes in behavior, poor school attendance, complaints of genital pain, pregnancy, poor social relationships and self-isolation.
Neglect is a failure to act on a child’s behalf. It may not produce visible signs, and it usually occurs over time. Neglect can be physical, emotional or educational.
Indicators of neglect could be chronic hunger, tiredness, child appearing malnourished, untreated illness or injury, a lack of housing or items to meet the child’s basic needs.