Child Abuse

What is Child Abuse?

Child Abuse is one of the three threads under safeguarding. However, Adult at Risk and Elder Abuse are managed jointly under legislation and the Wales Safeguarding Procedures.

“Child abuse is when a child is intentionally harmed by an adult or another child – it can be over a period of time but can also be a one-off action. It can be physical, sexual or emotional and it can happen in person or online. It can also be a lack of love, care and attention – this is neglect.” NSPCC

The NSPCC identify 13 types of child abuse (for more specific details on each from the NSPCC see their website): 

• Bullying and cyberbullying
• Child sexual exploitation
• Child trafficking (see human trafficking)
• Criminal exploitation and gangs
• Domestic abuse
• Emotional abuse (psychological abuse)
• Female Genital Mutilation
• Grooming (see Modern Slavery and Exploitation)
• Neglect
• Online abuse
• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Non-recent abuse (often known as historic child abuse).

“Child abuse is when anyone under the age of 18 is either being harmed or not properly looked after. There are four main categories of child abuse: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect.” Metropolitan Police

The abuse can take place in any setting, whether in a private dwelling, an institution or any other place. If the victim is over the age of 18, it falls under the category of adult at risk of abuse.