WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE?
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Child abuse is any interaction (or
lack of interaction) between a child and his/her parents and/or
other caregivers which results in the non-accidental harm to a
child's physical and/or developmental state.
The terms has come to include
not only the physical, non-accidental injury of children, but
also emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. Therefore,
abuse can range from habitually humiliating your child to not
giving the necessary care, and from excessively shaking a child
to rape.
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Some people think that children
are only abused by strangers, but sometimes the person who
abuses children is a friend of the parents or even a family
member, like an uncle or aunt, or even a parent.
If abuse is taking place in
your family, remember that you CAN get help for your child by
talking to someone who cares, like Childine, a Social Worker or
a Psychologist. These trained professionals will help and
counsel you, your child and your family and also offer help for
abusers.
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There
are 4 different kinds of abuse:
Sexual
abuse is when children are forced or persuaded into sexual
acts or situations by others. Children might be encouraged to
look at pornography, be harassed by sexual suggestions or
comments, be touched sexually or forced to have sex.
'I thought for a long time that what was happening was OK
because Dad said it was a game that all fathers played with
their sons, a secret game that only the men knew about.' more
here
Physical abuse is when
children are hurt or injured by parents or other people.
Hitting, kicking, beating with objects, throwing and shaking
are all physical abuse, and can cause pain, cuts, bruising,
broken bones and sometimes even death.
'I haven't been to school
for two days because I'm afraid that people will see the
bruises on my arms in PE.' more
here
Emotional abuse is when
children are not given love, approval or acceptance. They may
be constantly critisised, blamed, sworn and shouted at, told
that other people are better than they are and rejected by
those they look to for affection.
'I'm in care and I'm
always being moved between foster homes. I feel unloved and
unsettled.' more
here
Neglect
is when parents or others looking after children do not
provide them with proper food, warmth, shelter, clothing, care
and protection.
'My mum and dad both have drinking problems. Sometimes
there's nothing to eat in the house. And I'm often left alone
to look after my brothers and sisters.' more here
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