Introduction
The protection of children and young people from harm has significant implications for the health and development of children and young people, their families and the social capacity of communities. A child’s physical, emotional and social wellbeing, development and ultimate progression to independent adulthood are linked to the nurturing, support and care provided by the childs’ family.
What is Child Abuse and Neglect?
Child abuse includes harm arising from physical abuse and physical neglect, emotional abuse and neglect,and sexual abuse and exploitation. These types of abuse often occur together and can have a significant detrimental effect on a child’s physical
or emotional health, development and well-being. The younger a child is the more vulnerable they are and the more serious the consequences are likely to be. In accordance with the s 8 of the Child Protection Act 1999, it is immaterial how harm is caused. What is important is whether a child:
Has suffered harm, is suffering harm, or is at unacceptable risk of suffering harm; and
Does not have a parent or carer able and willing to protect the child from harm2.
Child abuse and harm takes many forms including:
A child or young person may suffer more than one form of abuse. While emotional abuse can occur in isolation, other forms of abuse also cause emotional abuse.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is any physical injury to a child that is not accidental. It includes any injury caused by excessive discipline, severe beatings, punching, slapping, shaking, burning, biting, throwing, kicking, cutting, suffocation, drowning, strangulation or poisoning. Physical abuse can result in death.
Emotional Abuse
This form of abuse includes the failure to provide a developmentally appropriate, supportive environment,including the availability of a primary attachment figure, so that the child can develop a stable and full range of emotional and social competencies commensurate with her or his personal potential and in the context of the society in which the child dwells. There may also be acts towards the child that cause, or have a high probability of causing, harm to the child’s health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development. These acts must be reasonably within the control of the parent or person in a relationship of responsibility, trust or power. Although it may occur alone, other forms of abuse also result in emotional abuse.
Sexual Abuse
This form of abuse refers to the involvement of a child in sexual activity that he or she:
Does not fully comprehend Is unable to give informed consent to, or Is not developmentally prepared and cannot give consent, or that violate the laws or social taboos society. Child sexual abuse is evidenced by this activity between a child and an adult or another child who by age or development is in a relationship of responsibility, trust or power, the activity being intended to gratify or satisfy the needs of the other person.
Neglect
This term refers to the failure of carers to provide for the development of the child in all spheres: health,education, emotional development, nutrition, shelter and safe living conditions, in the context of resources reasonably available to the family or carers. This includes the failure to properly supervise and protect children from harm as much as is feasible. Neglect causes or has a high probability of causing harm to the child’s health or physical, mental, spiritual,moral or social development.
For further information, please refer to the Child Safety Unit Factsheets (coming soon).
References
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