Child abuse

By Rowena Geerts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jSCg-3tosE
 Inhoudsopgave
What is child abuse?
Physical abuse is….
Sexual abuse is….
Emotional abuse is….
Neglect is….
How common is child abuse?
Who abuses children?
How to recognize child abuse
What to do about child abuse?
finally
What is child abuse?
 Growing up can be difficult but most
children and young people receive the
love and care they need.

 But Some children are:

 Hurt
 Neglected
 Used by adults or other children.

Abuse can mean different things to

different children, and can happen once
or many times.
Physical abuse is...
…when children are hurt or injured by parents or
other people. Like
 Hitting
 kicking,
 beating with objects,
 throwing and shaking

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.'
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.'
Emotional abuse is...
...when children are:
 Not given love
 Approval
 Acceptance.

They may be constantly:

 Criticised
 Blamed
 Sworn and shouted at
 Told that other people are better than they are
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.'
 Neglect is...
...when parents or others looking after children do not
provide them with:
 Proper food
 Warmth
 Shelter
 Clothing
 Care
 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.'
How common is child abuse?
 In the Netherlands, one of four children gets
abused everyday.
 In 2000/2001, 9,857 children and young people
talked to ChildLine about sexual abuse
 13,285 about physical abuse
 between 10 and 15 years old.

 Children don't tell about abuse because they have

been:
 Threatened into keeping silent
 Made to feel ashamed and guilty.

 'He said he'd kill me if I told anyone.'

'Mum hits me all the time. I don't want to tell
anyone. I don't want to get her in trouble.'
Who abuses children?
 Not just strangers
 95% of children calling ChildLine know the
abuser.
 Abusers include:
 Parents
 Uncles
 Aunts
 Grandparents
 Teachers
 Family friends
 Brothers
 Sisters.

 Most men from all classes

 Some women
 Some young people.
How to recognize child
abuse
Physical abuse
Emotional abuse
Sexual abuse
Neglect
Domestic Violence-Related
Child Abuse
Physical Abuse:

Burns
Welts
Fractures
Bruises
Severe beatings
Unexplained or repeated
physical injuries
Emotional Abuse:

Parents make demeaning remarks

Unrealistic parental expectations
Perceived or actual threats of harm
Illegal behaviors taught to a child
Sexual Abuse:

Involvement of a child in sexual

activity
Knowledge of sexual behavior
inappropriate for the child's
age
Contact for sexual purposes
such as fondling
Involvement or exposure to
prostitution and/or
pornography
Neglect:

Lack of basic food and clothing

Inappropriate child hygiene
Lack of appropriate supervision
Lack of education as required by law
Lack of medical treatment or
medication for a serious illness
Residing in an
inappropriate/dangerous living
environment
Domestic Violence-Related Child
Abuse:

Is injured during a physical

altercation between adults
Witnesses domestic violence
between adults
Experiences perceived or actual
threats of harm
Experiences disruption in his/her
living situation
What to do about child
abuse
Sadly, there isn’t much that can
be done.
Report it
Keep a good eye on the child
involved
Offer an inviroment where they
can be themselfes
 Finally
 I hope that you’ll learn
as much from this as I
did.
 Please keep you’re
eyes and hearts open
for abused children.
 They really need your
support.
 Please do it for them…