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Abuse is one of the most painful and devastating experiences for a child (anybody under 18 is considered a child…even teenagers!) Boys are abused as much as girls, and teenagers and young adults are abused as much as young children. Children from wealthy families are abused as much as those children from poorer families. It just doesn't matter what your background is….it can happen to anyone.
But what exactly is abuse?
Child abuse is the term used when an adult harms a child or young person under the age of 18. The word 'harm' often suggests hitting or kicking…and indeed this is a type of abuse, but it's a bit more complicated than that. The Department of Health recognises that there are four different types of abuse.
1. Physical abuse
This is when a child is hit, shaken, punched or slapped, given harmful drugs or alcohol or injured in ANY way. (Physical abuse is about harming either the outside or the insides of a child's body).
2. Emotional abuse
This is when a child is starved of love and affection or is constantly put down with nasty remarks or threats.
3. Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse can be the most difficult type of abuse to talk about and the most confusing. Sexual abuse is when a child is forced to take part in sexual activities. This can be ANY sexual act …from sexual intercourse to touching, prostitution or being enticed to look at pornography. (Even being made to just look at sexual pictures or DVDs is abuse!)
4. Neglect
Every child has the right to basic needs such as food, warmth, clothing and medical care. If these needs aren't met then it is classed as neglect, and as such, is abuse!
It is worth remembering that often there is more than one type of abuse going on at the same time. Think about it, if you are being sexually abused then you are not being given appropriate love and affection either, which is emotional abuse! You can see how Child abuse has such a devastating affect. But what can you do about it? Visit the pages on the left hand side to find out.
And finally - fabricated illness
Well, this is a strange one. Sometimes, when children have very severe M.E. their families have been accused of making up their illness…just pretending that their child is ill. In fact, some have been accused of abusing their child by making them have a made up illness! Sadly, there have been times when children have been taken away from their homes and families.
DON'T WORRY…this does not happen very often, in fact, it is very rare. Because we know so much more about M.E. now there has to be a proper investigation and proof has to be found before anything like that can happen.
