3. Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is persistent or severe emotional ill-treatment or rejection and may have adverse negative effects on the emotional and behavioral development of a child. It covers terms such as- verbal abuse, mental abuse, psychological maltreatment.

Emotionally abusive acts include:

* degrading,

* humiliating,

* bullying ( including cyber bullying) & threatening,

* scaring,

* discriminating,

* ridiculing

* other non-physical forms of hostile or rejecting treatment Possible Physical signs of emotional abuse

* Physical, mental and emotional developmental delay / late developer with no obvious medical reason

* Sudden onset speech disorders, e.g suddenly developing a stammer Possible Behavioral Signs of

Emotional Abuse

* Acceptance of punishment which seems excessive

* Over-reaction to mistakes

* Continual self criticism

* Excessive fear of new situations

* Inappropriate emotional response to painful stimuli

* Excessive behaviours, e.g. rocking, head banging, pulling own hair out

* Self harm and/or eating disorders

* Compulsive stealing/scavenging

* Excessively sad, depressed, withdrawn,

* Low self esteem

* Very poor relationship with parent/carer

4. Child Neglect

In view of context and resources, Negligent treatment refers to a persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and /or psychological needs, which is likely to result in serious impairment of a child’s healthy physical, spiritual, moral and mental development.

Possible Physical signs of child neglect:

*  Looks excessively thin or ill , Well below average weight and height, failure to grow.

*  Unexplained weight loss. Complains of hunger; lack of energy; Untreated conditions/injuries

* Repeated accidents, especially burns. Left home alone inappropriately

* Repeatedly unwashed, smelly or dressed inappropriately for the weather

* Supervision/carers inappropriate (e.g 8 year old looking after other children);Poor dental hygeine

* Unhygienic and/or unsanitary living conditions.

Behaviour Signs of Child Neglect

* Poor level of concentration

* Constantly hungry or ’stealing’ food from others/from bins

* Frequently not at school or persistent lateness

* Reluctant to go home from school

* Delayed speech development.

5. Child Exploitation

Exploiting a child in work or other activities for the benefit of others and to the detriment of the child’s physical or mental health, education, moral or social-emotional development. It includes, but is not limited to, child labour.

Other forms of abuse…

1. Internet abuse and abusive images of children (child pornography).

2. Spiritual abuse – perpetrated by a spiritual leader of any faith, when in a position of trust and authority.

3. Abuse due to the possession of witchcraft or spirit possession (very popular in South Asia & Africa)

The above actions may be linked to physical, sexual or emotional abuse.

Child Safeguarding Implementation Summary on Indicators of Abuse

*  Most indicators are not in themselves proof of abuse. But gives an alert signal to the possibility and consider what the steps should be taken to support or investigate concerns about a particular child.

* Research suggests that many children do try and tell or show they are being harmed but often they are not listened to or believed or have anyone to turn to whom they trust. The clues they give are therefore very important.

* Children often display behavior to communicate their distress about what is happening to them. Often this behavior is defined as “challenging”. We need to be able to recognize changes in behavior and not punish the child.