About abuse and neglect
Abuse and neglect are forms of ill-treatment. Somebody may abuse or neglect someone by inflicting harm, or by not taking action to protect someone from harm.
People can be harmed at home, by people living near their home (in their community) or by an adult who is responsible for caring for them in any place away from home such as school, nursery, college, sports and leisure centres, after-school clubs, youth clubs, care home, day care centre - which is why it is really important to work together to keep people safe. Sometimes people are abused by a stranger they have met over the internet.
Following are some examples of abuse and neglect:
Physical abuse
This could be any physical injury like cuts, bruises, burns, scalds or broken bones that have not happened by accident. Injuries may be caused as a result of shaking or throwing in the case of babies. It can also be when someone deliberately induces illness in a person.
Emotional abuse
This may involve making a person feel constantly worthless or unloved, frightened or in danger. It may include not giving the person opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them, or making ‘fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. It may also involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying (including cyber bullying) causing people frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of people.
Sexual abuse
This is when a person is made or enticed to take part in or watch sexual activities - they may be around when someone is watching pornographic material. Activities may involve physical contact, including assault such as rape or non penetrative acts such as kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. It may also involve looking at, or the production of, sexual images, encouraging people to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child.
Neglect
A person may be left alone or left with unsuitable caregivers. They may not be fed or clothed properly or not be taken to the doctors when they are unwell. Neglect also involves not protecting a person from danger.
It can also include domestic violence, child sexual exploitation, forced marriage, hate crime, female genital mutilation, modern slavery, county lines and bullying are other forms of abuse.
What to look out for
Indicators that someone may be experiencing abuse could include the following:
- Unexplained or suspicious injuries such as bruising, cuts or burns, particularly if on a part of the body where such injuries are not likely to have happened accidentally.
- An injury where the explanation seems inconsistent.
- Unexplained changes in behaviour - becoming very quiet, withdrawn or having severe temper outbursts.
- Inappropriate sexual awareness.
- Engaging in sexually explicit behaviour.
- Discomfort when walking or sitting down.
- Distrust of adults, particularly when a close relationship would normally be expected.
- Difficulty in making friends.
- Being prevented from socialising with other people.
- Variations in eating patterns including overeating or loss of appetite.
- Weight loss for no apparent reason.
- Becoming increasingly dirty and unkempt.
These are just indicators to look out for - they do not necessarily mean that abuse is taking place or has taken place, but if you are concerned, report them.