Appendix 2: Types of Abuse and Possible Signs

NSPCC Guidance for Types of Abuse and Possible Signs

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is when someone hurts or harms a child or young person on purpose. It includes:

• hitting with hands or objects
• slapping and punching
• kicking
• shaking/ throwing
• poisoning
• burning and scalding
• biting and scratching
• breaking bones
• drowning

It’s important to remember that physical abuse is any way of intentionally causing physical harm to a child or young person. It also includes making up the symptoms of an illness or causing a child to become unwell.

Signs of physical abuse

Bumps and bruises don’t always mean a child is being physically abused. All children have accidents, trips and falls. Although there isn’t just one sign or symptom to look out for, it is important to be aware of the signs.

If a child regularly has injuries, there seems to be a pattern to the injuries or the explanation doesn’t match the injuries, then this should be reported.

Physical abuse symptoms include:

• bruises
• broken or fractured bones
• burns or scalds
• bite marks.
• scarring
• the effects of poisoning, such as vomiting, drowsiness or seizures
• breathing problems from drowning, suffocation or poisoning.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is any type of abuse that involves the continual emotional mistreatment of a child. It’s sometimes called psychological abuse. Emotional abuse can involve deliberately trying to scare, humiliate, isolate or ignore a child.

Types of emotional abuse

Emotional abuse includes:

• humiliating or constantly criticising a child
• threatening, shouting at a child or calling them names
• making the child the subject of jokes, or using sarcasm to hurt a child
• blaming and scapegoating
• making a child perform degrading acts
• not recognising a child’s own individuality or trying to control their lives
• pushing a child too hard or not recognising their limitations
• exposing a child to upsetting events or situations, like domestic abuse or drug taking
• failing to promote a child’s social development
• not allowing them to have friends
• persistently ignoring them
• being absent
• manipulating a child
• never saying anything kind, expressing positive feelings or congratulating a child on successes
• never showing any emotions in interactions with a child, also known as emotional neglect.

Signs of emotional abuse

There might not be any obvious physical signs of emotional abuse or neglect. And a child might not tell anyone what’s happening until they reach a ‘crisis point’. Possible signs may include:

• seem unconfident or lack self-assurance
• struggle to control their emotions
• have difficulty making or maintaining relationships
• act in a way that’s inappropriate for their age.

The signs of emotional abuse can also be different for children at different ages.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is when a child or young person is sexually abused, they’re forced, tricked or manipulated into sexual activities. They might not understand that what’s happening is abuse or that it’s wrong for the abuser to do this to them. They might be afraid to tell someone or behave as though this is normal for them to experience, both are valid for the child to be displaying. Sexual abuse can happen anywhere – and it can happen in person or online.

Types of sexual abuse

Contact abuse: Contact abuse is where an abuser makes physical contact with a child or forces the child to make physical contact with someone else. This includes:

• sexual touching of any part of a child’s body, whether they’re clothed or not
• using a body part or object to rape or penetrate a child
• forcing a child to take part in sexual activities
• making a child undress or touch someone else.
• Contact abuse can include touching, kissing and oral sex – sexual abuse isn’t just penetrative.

Non-contact abuse: Non-contact abuse is where a child is abused without being touched by the abuser. This can be in person or online and includes:

• exposing or flashing
• exposing a child to sexual acts
• making them masturbate
• forcing a child to make, view or share child abuse images or videos
• making, viewing or distributing child abuse images or videos
• forcing a child to take part in sexual activities or conversations online or through a smartphone.

Signs of sexual abuse

Knowing the signs of sexual abuse can help give a voice to children and can get support for that child earlier on. Sometimes children won’t understand that what’s happening to them is wrong. Or they might be scared to speak out. Some of the signs you might notice include:

If a child is being or has been sexually abuse online, they might:

• spend a lot more or a lot less time than usual online, texting, gaming or using social media
• seem distant, upset or angry after using the internet or texting
• be secretive about who they’re talking to and what they’re doing online or on their mobile phone
• behaving as though they have to be online at a certain time, or rushing to get on their phone
• have lots of new phone numbers, texts or email addresses on their mobile phone, laptop or tablet
• Expressing the need for money, this may be used if they are being blackmailed.

Neglect

Neglect can be a lot of different things, which can make it hard to spot. But broadly speaking, there are 4 types of neglect.

1. Physical neglect - A child’s basic needs, such as food, clothing or shelter, are not met or they aren’t properly supervised or kept safe. Signs could include being smelly or dirty, being hungry or not given money for food, having unwashed clothes or having the wrong clothing, such as no warm clothes in winter.

2. Educational neglect - A parent doesn’t ensure their child is given an education. Signs could include increased absence from school.

3. Emotional neglect - A child doesn’t get the nurture and stimulation they need. This could be through ignoring, humiliating, intimidating or isolating them.

4. Medical neglect - A child isn’t given proper health care. This includes dental care and refusing or ignoring medical recommendations. Signs could include medical or dental issues, missed medical appointments such as for vaccinations, not given the correct medicines, poor language or social skills, regular illness or infections, repeated accidental injuries caused by lack of supervision, skin issues, such as sores, rashes, flea bites, scabies or ringworm, thin or swollen tummy or weight or growth issues.

Children Who Abuse

Any of the above could be perpetrated by another child. Bullying by peers and older children/teens should always be taken seriously.

Further information can be found on the NSPCC website (www.nspcc.org.uk) on what to look for in a child which may indicate abuse.