Child Protection

Child abuse is any action by another person—adult or child—that causes significant harm to a child. It can be physical, sexual or emotional, but can just as often be about a lack of love, care and attention. We know that neglect, whatever form it takes, can be just as damaging to a child as physical abuse.

An abused child will often experience more than one type of abuse, as well as other difficulties in their lives. It often happens over a period of time, rather than being a one-off event. And it can increasingly happen online.

The signs of child abuse aren’t always obvious, and a child might not tell anyone what’s happening to them. Children might be scared that the abuser will find out, and worried that the abuse will get worse. Or they might think that there’s no-one they can tell or that they won’t be believed. Sometimes, children don’t even realise that what’s happening is abuse. The effects of abuse may be short term or may last a long time—sometimes into adulthood. Adults who were abused as children may need advice and support.