Factors Leading to Child Abuse
P3- Explain the factors that would lead to the suspicion of child maltreatment or abuse Unit 10
“There are several types of child abuse, but the core element that ties them together is the emotional effect on the child. Children need predictability, structure, clear boundaries, and the knowledge that their parents are looking out for their safety. Abused children cannot predict how their parents will act. Their world is an unpredictable, frightening place with no rules. Whether the abuse is a slap, a harsh comment, stony silence, or not knowing if there will be dinner on the table tonight, the end result is a child that feel unsafe, uncared for, and alone.” – Melinda Smith
It is not always easy to recognise if you, or someone you know is being abused, but it is important to remember that no-one has the right to hurt you or make you do anything that feels wrong. Child abuse can mean a lot of different things but the NSPCC define child abuse as “any form of physical, emotional or sexual mistreatment or lack of care that leads to injury or harm”
In this booklet, I will be discussing- physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, bullying and neglect
Any form of physical contact can be potentially as a form of physical abuse. However, it depends on the degree of force, or the nature of the contact and the intention behind the action. If an adult deliberately hurts a child, causing them physical harm such as cuts, bruises, broken bones or other injuries, it is physical abuse. Physical abuse can include hitting, drowning, shaking, biting, throwing, poisoning, burning and slapping. For example, if a parent had slapped their child as a punishment and caused the child physical harm, then this would be considered as physical abuse. However, the more difficult-to-identify forms of physical abuse may occur within the context of ‘caring’. An example of this could be, if a boy in a children’s home was being abusive and started to attack other children in the care home. If
“There are several types of child abuse, but the core element that ties them together is the emotional effect on the child. Children need predictability, structure, clear boundaries, and the knowledge that their parents are looking out for their safety. Abused children cannot predict how their parents will act. Their world is an unpredictable, frightening place with no rules. Whether the abuse is a slap, a harsh comment, stony silence, or not knowing if there will be dinner on the table tonight, the end result is a child that feel unsafe, uncared for, and alone.” – Melinda Smith
It is not always easy to recognise if you, or someone you know is being abused, but it is important to remember that no-one has the right to hurt you or make you do anything that feels wrong. Child abuse can mean a lot of different things but the NSPCC define child abuse as “any form of physical, emotional or sexual mistreatment or lack of care that leads to injury or harm”
In this booklet, I will be discussing- physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, bullying and neglect
Any form of physical contact can be potentially as a form of physical abuse. However, it depends on the degree of force, or the nature of the contact and the intention behind the action. If an adult deliberately hurts a child, causing them physical harm such as cuts, bruises, broken bones or other injuries, it is physical abuse. Physical abuse can include hitting, drowning, shaking, biting, throwing, poisoning, burning and slapping. For example, if a parent had slapped their child as a punishment and caused the child physical harm, then this would be considered as physical abuse. However, the more difficult-to-identify forms of physical abuse may occur within the context of ‘caring’. An example of this could be, if a boy in a children’s home was being abusive and started to attack other children in the care home. If