Categories of Abuse
Physical Injury: This is defined as any injury inflicted or knowingly not prevented by any person having custody or care of a child.
Physical abuse is often defined by injuries that cannot be explained by the normal play activities of a child, and is defined as hitting or hurting a child on purpose.
Neglect: This is defined as the wilful failure to meet the basic needs of a child, for example, not clothing, feeding or caring for a child adequately and leaving them without adequate supervision.
Emotional Abuse: This is defined as any abuse or torment which would have an effect on the mental health and wellbeing of a child. Most commonly emotional abuse is categorised as shouting at a child, making a child feel worthless, exposing a child to inappropriate and never punishment and inconsistency of behaviour towards a child.
Sexual Abuse: This is defined as the exploitation of children in order to meet the demands of adults or other children. Sexual abuse may include: involvement of children in masturbation, involvement of children in pornographic activity, including taking pornographic photographs and involving children in watching or viewing pornographic materials, involvement of children in sexual activity, including; rape, sodomy, oral sex and sexual intercourse with a child, even with their consent.
Bullying: Bullying is defined as any form of abuse on a child which is inflicted upon them by their peers, this abuse can be subtle, including, teasing, being ignored or left out, being pushed or pulled about, or having money or possessions taken.
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