Most children enjoy happy childhood experiences within their own family, but unfortunately for some, this is not the case. During difficult times, everyone who knows the child must do the best they can to protect them from harm. The welfare and safety of children is everyone’s responsibility.
Abuse and neglect are forms of ill-treatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by not taking action to protect a child from harm.
Children may be harmed at home, by people living near their home (in their community) or by an adult who is responsible for caring for them in any place away from home such as school, nursery, college, sports and leisure centres, after-school clubs, youth clubs, which is why it is really important to work together to keep children safe. Sometimes children are abused by a stranger they have met over the internet. They may also be abused by another child or children.
Abuse may be physical, sexual, emotional or neglect. Some examples of each type of abuse are described below;
Unexplained injuries, bruises or marks
Injuries which have an unusual fracture or are in an unusual place on the body
Fear, watchfulness, over anxiety to please
Small round burns or bite marks
Frequent time off from school
Sexual knowledge or comments that you wouldn’t expect from a child
Sexual behaviour that you wouldn’t expect from a child
Unexpected reactions, fear or wariness of people
Repeated urinary or genital infections
Pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases
Self-harming or recurrent abdominal pains
Withdrawn, anxious behaviour, lack of self-confidence
Self-harm and eating disorders
Demanding or attention seeking behaviour
Not wanting to communicate
Repetitive, nervous behaviour such as rocking, hair twisting or scratching
Dirty, scruffy or unsuitable clothes
No one seeks medical help when the child is ill or hurt
The child is smelly, unclean hair and dirty nails
Dental issues (bad breath)
The child is left alone or with unsuitable carers
The child is thin, pale and lacking energy
Lots of accidents happen to the child
The child is exposed to risks or dangers, such as drugs or needles being left around