Different types of abuse

Abusive behaviour can be physical, emotional, sexual, or it can happen through neglect, especially of children.

All forms of abuse result in emotional problems for a child or young person, in particular a lack of self-esteem and a distrust of adults.

The longer abuse goes on, the more damaging its effects.

Chronic abuse and neglect may lead to permanent physical and emotional problems.

There are significant signs to indicate that a person is suffering from abuse including:

Physical abuse

• bruises, black eyes, welts, lacerations and rope marks
• broken bones
• scalding and burns
• open wounds, cuts, punctures, untreated injuries in various stages of healing
• broken eyeglasses/frames or any physical signs of being punished or restrained
• individuals report being hit, slapped, kicked or mistreated
• injuries which do not match the account given

Emotional abuse

• lack of confidence and self-esteem
• difficulties controlling emotions
• extreme behaviour, like becoming overly demanding, aggressive, having outbursts or becoming passive
• difficulties making and maintaining relationships
• behaviour that is inappropriately infantile or adult-like

Sexual abuse

• difficulty walking or sitting
• pain, itching, bleeding, bruising or unusual discharge to the genital area or anus
• urinary infections or sexually transmitted infections
• persistent sore throats
• pregnancy
• refusing to change for PE or participate in physical activities
• avoiding or afraid of being left alone with people or a specific person
• inappropriate knowledge of sex for age
• uses inappropriate sexual language
• sexualised behaviour in play or with other children
• bed-wetting
• changes in eating habits or developing eating disorders
• lack of peer relationships
• sleep disturbances or nightmares
• refusing to go to school
• running away from home
• alcohol or drug use
• anxiety
• self-harm or attempts at suicide

Neglect

• excessive hunger
• inadequate or insufficient clothing
• poor personal or dental hygiene
• untreated medical issues
• changes in weight or being excessively under or overweight
• low self-esteem, attachment issues, depression or self-harm
• poor relationships with peers
• self-soothing behaviours that may not be age-appropriate (eg rocking, hair-twisting, thumb-sucking)
• changes to school performance or attendance

Bullying

Socially unacceptable behaviour becomes bullying type behaviour when, based on the information gathered, all four parts of TRIP are confirmed.

TRIP stands for Targeted, Repeated, Intended, Psychological and/or Physical harm.

• When the behaviour is Targeted at a specific pupil or group of pupils. This includes pupils from a specific nationality, race or culture
• When the behaviour is Repeated over a period of time
• When the behaviour is deliberately Intended to cause harm
• When the behaviour causes, Psychological, emotional or Physical harm

A significant one-off incident can be considered bullying type behaviour in certain circumstances and if included in the school’s Addressing Bullying Behaviour policy.

For example, where a digital communication has been repeatedly and intentionally shared to cause harm.

Sexual exploitation is a type of sexual abuse.

Victims may receive gifts or money in exchange for performing sex acts.

The victim is often a child or young person, who has been groomed into believing that they are in a loving relationship.

They often trust their abuser and keep the crime secret.

Child sexual exploitation doesn’t always involve physical contact.

It can take place entirely online.

What are some of the signs that someone has been sexually exploited?

Human trafficking is the ‘recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit.’

Anyone can become a victim of trafficking; it is not limited to a specific age or sex and happens all over the world.

Violence, false offers of employment or education are often used to trick victims.

Some signs that a person has been trafficked are:

• appearing malnourished
• showing signs of physical injuries and abuse
• avoiding eye contact, social interaction and authority figures such as the police
• seeming to adhere to scripted or rehearsed responses in social interaction
• lacking official identification documents
• poor physical or dental health
• tattoos/branding on the neck and/or lower back
• untreated sexually transmitted diseases
• security measures that appear to keep people inside an establishment - barbed wire inside of a fence, bars covering the insides of windows
• not allowing people to go into public alone or speak for themselves

Information and support

If you, or someone you know, have been affected by issues in this article, the following organisations may be able to help.