Types of Abuse

The persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to:

• provide adequate food, clothing, and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment)
• protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger
• ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate caregivers)
• ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment
• provide suitable education It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs

Child abuse concerns: guide for practitioners - GOV.UK

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 introduced the first ever statutory definition of domestic abuse (section 1 of the Act). The statutory definition is clear that domestic abuse may be a single incident or a course of conduct which can encompass a wide range of abusive behaviours, including

• physical or sexual abuse
• violent or threatening behaviour
• controlling or coercive behaviour
• economic abuse
• psychological, emotional, or other abuse.

Under the statutory definition, both the person who is carrying out the behaviour and the person to whom the behaviour is directed towards must be aged 16 or over and they must be “personally connected” (as defined in section 2 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021). The definition ensures that different types of relationships are captured, including ex-partners and family members. All children can experience and be adversely affected by domestic abuse in the context of their home life where domestic abuse occurs between family members, including where those being abusive do not live with the child. Experiencing domestic abuse can have a significant impact on children. Section 3 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 recognises the impact of domestic abuse on children (0 to 18), as victims in their own right, if they see, hear or experience the effects of abuse.

Young people can also experience domestic abuse within their own intimate relationships. This form of child-on-child abuse is sometimes referred to as teenage relationship abuse. Depending on the age of the young people, this may not be recognised in law under the statutory definition of domestic abuse (if one or both parties are under 16). However, as with any child under 18, where there are concerns about safety or welfare, child safeguarding procedures should be followed and both young victims and young perpetrators should be offered support.

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 provides further advice for frontline professionals who have responsibility for safeguarding and supporting victims of domestic abuse, including children. This guidance provides further information about the different forms of domestic abuse (including teenage relationship abuse and child to parent abuse) and the impact of domestic abuse on children.

The government guidance is below.

Domestic Abuse Act 2021 - GOV.UK

Additionally, the NHS website has a range of information for getting help and support for domestic abuse and there is a website run by the Ministry of Defence for victims of Domestic Abuse in the armed forces and for professionals supporting these victims.

The persistent emotional maltreatment of a child so as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development.

It may involve:

• conveying to a child that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person
• not giving the child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them, or making fun of what they say or how they communicate
• imposing developmentally inappropriate expectations
• overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction
• seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another
• serious bullying or cyber-bullying causing children to frequently feel frightened or in danger
• the exploitation or corruption of children.

 Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone.

Child abuse concerns: guide for practitioners - GOV.UK

Physical abuse is when someone hurts a child or young person on purpose.

Examples of physical abuse are:

• hitting, slapping, shaking or throwing
• burning or scalding
• drowning, suffocating or choking
• pushing or kicking
• inappropriate restraint or false imprisonment
• using physical force to discipline
• misusing medication
• fabricating or inducing an illness or ill health

 Signs and symptoms of physical abuse in children can include:

• unexplained recurrent injuries, marks or burns
• covering injuries with clothing even in hot weather
• fear of physical contact and shrinking back if touched

Child abuse concerns: guide for practitioners - GOV.UK

Involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts, such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing, and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse. Sexual abuse can take place online, and technology can be used to facilitate offline abuse. Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.

Commissioning Framework - February 2019

Child exploitation disruption toolkit - GOV.UK

Child sexual exploitation and abuse - NHS Safeguarding

Child abuse concerns: guide for practitioners - GOV.UK

As set out in the Serious Violence Strategy, published by the Home Office, where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, control, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into any criminal activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial or other advantage of the perpetrator or facilitator and/or (c) through violence or the threat of violence. The victim may have been criminally exploited even if the activity appears consensual. Child criminal exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.

The government guidance below is primarily aimed at frontline staff in England and Wales who work with children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults: county lines - GOV.UK

Child exploitation disruption toolkit - GOV.UK

Child sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.

Child sexual exploitation: definition and guide for practitioners - GOV.UK

Child exploitation disruption toolkit - GOV.UK

Abuse can take place wholly online, or technology may be used to facilitate offline abuse. Child criminal exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology, for example through gaming platforms and social media. Sexual abuse can take place online, and technology can be used to facilitate offline abuse. Abuse may involve cyber-bullying.

Cyberbullying Guidance | Childnet

Bullying is intentional behaviour that hurts someone else. It includes name calling, hitting, pushing, spreading rumours, threatening or undermining someone.

It can happen anywhere – at school, at home or online. It's usually repeated over a long period of time and can hurt a child both physically and emotionally.

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place online. Unlike bullying offline, online bullying can follow the child wherever they go, via social networks, gaming and mobile phone. A person can be bullied online and offline at the same time.

Some examples are:

• sending false or embarrassing information about someone
• posting or sharing private images
• impersonating someone online to hurt their reputation
• excluding someone from an online group
• sending explicit messages (“sexting”)
• pressurising children into sending sexual images or taking part in sexualised conversations

Advice for parents and carers on cyberbullying

Guidance for schools on preventing and responding to bullying.

Preventing and tackling bullying

Cyberbullying Guidance | Childnet

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Female genital mutilation (FGM), also called ‘female cutting’ or ‘female circumcision' is when a female's genitals are deliberately altered or removed for non-medical reasons.

FGM happens because of various cultural, religious and social reasons. Some communities think that FGM will help the girl in some way, such as preparing her for marriage or childbirth.

FGM can cause severe psychological, emotional and medical problems. It can include extreme pain, shock, infection and many other long term serious medical issues. There are no health benefits to FGM. Find out more about the medical aspects of FGM.

FGM is a form of child abuse and violence against women and it's against the law in the UK.

There are a number of signs a girl could have been a victim of FGM:

• changes in behaviour
• missing school, particularly after a trip to a country where FGM is common
• spending long periods of time out of the classroom
• spending longer than usual going to the toilet
• avoiding going to the toilet
• discomfort when sitting down
• avoiding physical exercise 
• frequent menstrual or urinary infections

Children often don't know that FGM is going to take place. This means there may be few warning signs before it happens. But, sometimes children do know in advance, which can lead to a change in their behaviour, such as seeking advice or help from professionals and friends.

Safeguarding women and girls at risk of FGM - GOV.UK

Multi-agency statutory guidance on female genital mutilation - GOV.UK

Mandatory reporting of female genital mutilation: procedural information - GOV.UK

Female genital mutilation (FGM), hymenoplasty and virginity testing - NHS Safeguarding

Financial exploitation can take many forms. In this context, we use the term to describe exploitation which takes place for the purpose of money laundering. This is when criminals target children and adults and take advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, control, manipulate or deceive them into facilitating the movement of illicit funds. This can include physical cash and/or payments through financial products, such as bank and cryptocurrency accounts.

“County lines” is a violent and exploitative form of drug distribution. A common feature of county lines is the exploitation of children, young people and vulnerable adults who are instructed to deliver and/or store drugs, and associated money or weapons, to dealers or drug users, locally or in other counties.

The guidance below is primarily aimed at frontline staff in England and Wales who work with children, young people and vulnerable adults.  This includes education, health, adult and children’s social care, and policing.

The guidance below is primarily aimed at frontline staff in England and Wales who work with children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults: county lines - GOV.UK

Forced marriage is when you face physical pressure to marry (for example, threats, physical violence or sexual violence) or emotional and psychological pressure (for example, if you’re made to feel like you’re bringing shame on your family).

If you’re under 18 any marriage is considered a forced marriage, even if there is no physical or emotional pressure involved.

Forced marriage is illegal in England and Wales. This includes:

• taking someone overseas to force them to marry (whether or not the forced marriage takes place)
• arranging a marriage for someone who lacks mental capacity (whether they’re pressured to or not)
• arranging a marriage for someone before they turn 18

Forcing someone to marry can result in a sentence of up to 7 years in prison.

Forced marriage - GOV.UK

Apply for a forced marriage protection order: Overview - GOV.UK

This type of abuse is related to a particular belief and includes inflicting physical violence or emotional harm on a child by stigmatising or labelling them as evil or as a witch. It is a horrific crime which is condemned by people of all cultures, communities and faiths.

• Everyone working or in contact with children has a responsibility to recognise and know how to act on evidence, concerns and signs
• Standard child safeguarding procedures apply and must always be followed
• The number of cases of child abuse linked to a belief in spirits, possession and witchcraft is small but where it occurs the impact on the child is great, causing much distress and suffering to the child
• Child abuse linked to faith or belief may occur where a child is treated as a scapegoat for perceived failure.

The Congolese Family Centre has produced a contemporary drama to help raise awareness about abuse linked to spirit possession and witchcraft. Setting the drama against an everyday background has brought the issue to life for audiences.

Contact CFC on: tel. 0208 245 7026, email contact@congolesefamilycentre.org or visit the website www.congolesefamilycentre.org

VCF – The Victoria Climbié Foundation emerged from the tragic death of Victoria Climbié, the result of ritual abuse by her guardian in this country and the systematic failure of statutory bodies to prevent this abuse. Contact the Victoria Climbié Foundation on: tel. 020 8619 1191, email enquiries@vcf-uk.org or visit the website Home - The Victoria Climbié Foundation UKThe Victoria Climbié Foundation UK

The government guidance is below.

Child abuse linked to faith or belief: national action plan - GOV.UK

Children may be trafficked from other countries for a variety of reasons. There are a number of factors in the country of origin which might make children vulnerable to being trafficked. The factors listed below are by no means a comprehensive list:

• poverty
• lack of education
• discrimination
• cultural attitudes
• grooming
• political conflict and economic transition
• inadequate local laws and regulations.

Even before they travel, children may be subjected to various forms of abuse and exploitation to ensure that the trafficker’s control over them continues after the child is transferred to someone else.

The link to the government guidance is below. Safeguarding children who may have been trafficked - GOV.UK

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