What is child abuse?

Child abuse can include neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or financial abuse.

Neglect is where adults persistently fail to meet a child's basic needs; It may involve a parent or caregiver failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, failing to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.

Emotional abuse is where adults treat a child badly over time in ways that damage their emotional development, making them feel

• afraid
• insecure
• worthless and unloved

Physical abuse is where someone injures or hurts a child - this includes all forms of physical harm including hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, drowning, or suffocating.

Sexual abuse is where someone makes a child take part in sexual activities, whether or not they use force. The activities may involve physical contact, or non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or making pornographic material, or watching sexual activities.

Financial Abuse includes:

• having money or other property stolen;
• being defrauded;
• being put under pressure in relation to money or other property;
• having money or other property misused.