Report child abuse

Emotional abuse can range from habitual humiliation to withholding life-sustaining nurturing.

This type of abuse is persistent and chronic to the point that it damages the child causing:

• severe anxiety;
• depression;
• withdrawal;
• self-destructive behaviour; or
• aggressive behaviour.

This type of abuse can be repeated attacks on a child’s self worth in the form of:

• insults;
• isolation;
• rejecting;
• unrealistic expectations;
• constant criticism; or
• terrorizing a child with threats of harm to others that they care about, or their pets.

Emotional abuse can occur when there's domestic violence in the family.

Physical abuse is a deliberate assault that causes harm. It's not an accident, and can involve the use of force.

Types of force include:

• slapping;
• hitting;
• punching;
• shaking;
• choking;
• kicking; and
• burning.

Physical abuse could be the result of excessive or inappropriate discipline and could include:

• bruises;
• burns;
• welts;
• broken bones;
• fractures;
• bite marks; or
• scars.

Sexual abuse is any action that tries to involve a child in a sexual activity including:

• sexual touching;
• exposure;
• using a child in the making of, or viewing pornography; and
• involving a child in prostitution.

When children show the effects of child abuse it's generally not seen in 1 behaviour. It can be a pattern of behaviours across time. The presence of a cluster of indicators might show the presence of child abuse.

Indicators of emotional abuse can be:

• depression; or
• withdrawal.

Indicators of neglect can be:

• insufficient food; or
• improper clothing.

Indicators of physical abuse can be:

• bruises; or
• burns.

Indicators of sexual abuse can be:

• sexual touching; or
• exposure.