What is child abuse?
Being mistreated or abused (sometimes called significant harm) is often put into four groups.
Physical Abuse
Physical Abuse is when an adult deliberately hurts a child such as hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, drowning or suffocation.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional Abuse could happen, for example, if a child is always being blamed for everything or told that they are stupid and made to feel unhappy.
Neglect
Neglect is where a child is not being looked after properly, or not getting enough to eat or being left alone in dangerous situations.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual Abuse could be where a child is made to take part in sexual activities or in the taking of rude photos.
Worried about a child?
» Information on what to do
How can you keep you and your friends safe?
Tell someone you trust if someone is making you feel uncomfortable
If you think someone is behaving suspiciously, tell someone
Don’t take gifts from people you don’t know very well
Don’t leave home without telling your parents/carers where you are going
Shout loudly if someone asks you to do something you’re not happy about
Never accept lifts from strangers
If you go out with friends, stick together, even if you fall out
