Child abuse and neglect is one of Australia’s biggest and most misunderstood social problems. Statistics reports that one child every 11 minutes is suffering physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect, often by someone they know and should be able to trust; most often in their own home. Thousands more cases go unreported, and the number of children and young people in out-of-home care is increasing.

Despite being under-reported, Australian authorities confirmed 48,886 children were confirmed to have been abused last year.

What is Child Abuse?

Child abuse can be constituted by a single incident, or a number of incidents that occur over time. It doesn’t matter how much a child has been harmed, but whether they have been harmed, are being harmed, or are at risk of physical, psychological, or emotional harm.

Types of Abuse

Physical Abuse – Sometimes it can be difficult to know if your instincts about child abuse and neglect are right. There are often behavioural or physical signs of stress when a child has been, or is experiencing abuse. Physical abuse can include:

• Shaking
• Hitting, punching, smacking or kicking
• Burning
• Pinching or biting
• Female genital mutilation.

Sexual abuse – can be physical, verbal or emotional and happens when an adult, adolescent or another child uses power or authority to engage a child in any form of sexual activity. It can include:

• Sexual touching or kissing
• Talking in a sexually explicit way that is inappropriate for the age and development of the child, including via phone, email, text and other forms of communication
• Persistently intruding on a child’s privacy
• Exposing a child to pornography or sexual acts
• Forcing a child to pose or perform sexual acts
• Any form of penetration or oral sex.

Emotional abuse – occurs when a child’s emotional, social or intellectual development is threatened or impaired. It happens when an adult repeatedly makes a child feel frightened, ashamed, upset, alone or worthless. Emotional abuse can include:

• Excessive yelling, threats and using fear
• Persistent criticism, teasing, bullying or embarrassing and humiliating a child
• Rejection and hostility
• Witnessing domestic violence

What is Neglect?

Neglect is when a child’s basic needs are not met and their development and well-being are affected.

It can include:

• Nutritious food
• A clean, secure home
• Access to health care and medical treatment
• Adequate clothing
• Good personal hygiene
• Adequate adult supervision
• Positive, nurturing engagement and mental stimulation.

How to Identify Abuse & Neglect

• Distrust or wariness of adults
• Extreme behaviour aggressive, submissive, anxious, distressed
• Low self-esteem, being withdrawn or having difficulty relating to adults or other children
• Being overly obedient and trying hard to please
• Difficulty concentrating
• Excessive rocking, humming, sucking or biting
• Bedwetting, frequent nightmares or sleeping difficulties (seeming tired and falling asleep at unusual times)
• Seeming to be accident-prone or having unexplained bruises or injuries at different stages of healing
• Explanations for injuries that are unbelievable, vague or don’t align with the type of injury
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Suicidal tendencies
• Not wanting to go home (or somewhere else)
• Creating stories or artwork about abuse
• Inappropriate sexual knowledge or behaviour for the age and development of the child

Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect

The effects of child abuse and neglect can be significant and lead to lifelong problems. It can impact a child’s brain development, how they feel and think about themselves, how successful they are at school, even their physical development and skills. In the long term, it can lead to drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness, difficulty developing and maintaining good relationships, unemployment, and all sorts of social disadvantage all due to their childhood experiences, and not their fault.

Are you concerned?

If you are concerned about a child or young person, please report your concerns to the appropriate authorities.

For more information on please click on the link below.

Credit – Original Post actforkids.com.au