Types of Child Abuse
Physical Abuse
 Is when a child is physically injured
by any person caring for them.
 It is also when a person caring for
the child knowingly fails to prevent
an injury.
Physical signs of Physical Abuse
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Unexplained bruising in places where an
injury cannot easily be explained
Facial bruising
Hand or finger marks or pressure
bruising
Bite marks
Burns (particularly cigarette burns),
scalds
Unexplained fractures
Lacerations
Emotional signs of Physical Abuse
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Afraid or anxious
Unable to trust others a lot of the
time
Poor self-esteem
Lacking in confidence
Emotionally withdrawn
Depressed
Sleep disturbance
Feeling angry and frustrated
Behavioural Indicators of Physical
Abuse
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Withdrawn or aggressive behaviour
Vandalism
Unresponsive to others
Self harming behaviours
Inability to take initiative
Sudden changes in behaviour, e.g.
from extrovert to introvert
Cognitive Signs of Physical Abuse
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Speech or language delay
Doesn’t talk at all even though able
to
Unable to concentrate
Lack of problem solving ability
Poor achievement at school
Types of Child Abuse
Sexual Abuse
 Is when a person involves a child
under the age of consent in any
activity that leads to the sexual
gratification of that adult.
 This often includes physical contact
such as rape but can also include
taking pornographic photographs.
Physical Indicators of Sexual
Abuse
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Marks or bruising around genital
area
Pain or itching in the genital area
Urinary tract infections
Not meeting developmental
milestones
Torn, stained or bloody underclothes
Bedwetting, sleep disturbances
Loss of appetite
Behavioural and Emotional
Indicators of Sexual Abuse
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Hints of sexual activity through words,
play, drawings, etc.
Informed knowledge of sexual behaviour
Excessive crying
Feeding problems
Anxious or fretful about things
Intense fear of the dark
Poor self-esteem
Types of Child Abuse
Emotional Abuse
 Is when a child’s basic emotional
needs are not being met and this
has an effect on their behaviour and
development.
 This can include being constantly
ridiculed, criticised or threatened.
Behavioural and Emotional Signs
of Emotional Abuse
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Attention
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seeking
Withdrawn
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Telling lies
Inability to have
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fun
Low self-esteem
Unable to trust
people
Tantrums past age
of normal
development
Constantly trying to
please
Inability to play
Poor bonding with
parents/carers
Physical and Cognitive Signs of
Emotional Abuse
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Poor physical development
Illness
Signs of physical abuse
Language delay
Poor concentration span
Difficulties in problem solving
Types of Child Abuse
Physical Neglect
 Is when someone caring for a child
persistently exposes that child to danger or
persistently fails to fulfil the child’s basic
needs and results in health or developmental
problems.
 Neglect also includes non-organic failure to
thrive. This is a medical diagnosis of lack of
development in a child where there is no
physical or organic cause, such as illness, to
account for it.
Physical Indicators of Physical
Neglect
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Poor hygiene
Inadequately clothed
Untreated medical problems
Poor nourishment/always hungry
Regular infections
Poor motor skills and co-ordination
Delay in growth
Behavioural and Emotional Signs
of Physical Neglect
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Listless and inactive
Poor play skills
Doesn’t show excitement
Excessively seeks adult approval
Depressed
Anxious
Feels inferior to peers
Cognitive Indicators of Physical
Neglect
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Language and speech delay
Poor concentration skills
Lack of basic problem solving skills
Delay in development