What is child abuse?

Child physical abuse

Child physical abuse is any use of (or threats of) physical force against a child that doesn’t happen by accident and causes injury, such as hitting, shaking, strangling or biting. Physical abuse can be perpetrated by anyone in a position of power, including parents, caregivers, older siblings and teachers.

For more information about general physical abuse, read our guide to physical abuse.

Child sexual abuse

Child sexual abuse is any sexual act involving a minor that the minor can’t legally consent to. In Australia, no one under the age of 16 can legally consent to any sexual act. In South Australia and Tasmania, the age of consent is higher, at 17. For some specific acts, such as sexting, the age of consent across Australia is 18. Sexual abuse is a crime. Child sexual abuse can look like:

• sexual contact (e.g. touching or intercourse)

• intruding on privacy (e.g. spying on a child while they are changing or bathing)

• forcing a child to watch sexual acts or to behave in a sexual way

• grooming

• using a child in pornography

• asking a child to share explicit images of themselves.

Child sexual abuse can be carried out by anyone in a position of power or trust over the child. That person could be an adult, but it could also be another child or young person, like a sibling, another family member or a peer. 

Child sexual abuse can be a really confusing experience, especially if it’s seen as less serious because the abuser is also a child. But sexual abuse is never okay, no matter who the abuser is or what their reason for it was. Everyone has the right to live a life free from abuse, and the adults around you have a responsibility to keep you safe. 

Visit Kids Helpline for more information on child sexual abuse.

Child emotional abuse or psychological harm

Child emotional abuse is when someone mistreats or psychologically harms a child by denying them love, affection, approval and security. It can look like a parent or caregiver isolating, rejecting, bullying, constantly criticising and shaming, or ignoring their child. It can also include an adult deliberately teaching a child poor social cues in order to expose them to shame and ridicule, or ‘corrupting’ a child by involving them in criminal activities.

For more information, read our guide to emotional abuse.

Child neglect

Neglect is the failure to provide a child with the things they need to lead a healthy, secure life. All children and young people have the right to safe access to:

• basic human survival needs such as food, water, and a safe and warm place to live

• basic hygiene needs, such as clean clothing and regular bathing

• comfort, affection and attention (psychological support) from parents and caregivers

• medical treatment when sick or injured, or routine health checkups throughout childhood (e.g. dentist and doctor visits)

• adequate supervision (e.g. not being left alone too long or exposed to dangerous environments)

• education, including regular schooling and early childhood support. 

Neglect can be a one-time incident, but it can also build up over time and become normalised in the family environment. This can lead to feeling invisible, or struggling to trust others, or feeling like they have to be the ‘adult’ in the home. Neglect can also lead to other forms of abuse, especially if a child is constantly left alone or exposed to harmful environments. 

For more information, read Kids Helpline’s guide to child neglect.

Exposure to family violence

Exposure to family violence is when a child sees, hears or experiences violence in their household or within the family unit. This could look like: 

• overhearing threats of violence and abuse

• witnessing an assault of a family member and/or comforting a family member who has been assaulted

• cleaning up the environment after a violent incident (e.g. disposing of smashed furniture, sweeping up broken glass, wiping up blood)

• seeing police or ambulance officers visit the home after a violent incident.

Not all family violence involves physical violence. It can include all forms of abuse, including sexual, emotional, financial, and spiritual or cultural abuse. Exposure to family violence might only happen once, or it can happen repeatedly over a period of time. If you witness family violence, it can affect your mental and physical wellbeing, even long after it occurs. 

For more information, read our guide to understanding domestic violence.

• Kids Helpline (24/7) offers free support to young people under 25 for any and all issues. Call 1800 55 1800 or use the Kids Helpline online chat.

• 1800Respect (24/7) offers free confidential information, counselling and support for people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence. Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or use the 1800Respect online chat.

• Full Stop Australia (24/7) offers free, confidential, trauma specialist counselling to people impacted by sexual, domestic and family violence. Call 1800 385 578.

• Blue Knot trauma helpline offers specialist support to adults who are impacted by child abuse. Available 9 am–5 pm AEST/AEDT, 7 days a week (including public holidays) via phone, email or webchat. 

• Bravehearts child sexual abuse support helpline offers support to child sexual abuse victims (children and adults who experienced child abuse). Available 8.30 am–4.30 pm AEST/AEDT, Monday to Friday.

Yes, child abuse is illegal. Every child deserves the right to grow up in a safe and caring environment. Each state and territory has its own laws regarding what is considered a child abuse crime and how the law is upheld. Visit Youth Law Australia to find child abuse laws in your area.

In many states, professionals who work with children (like teachers and doctors) are mandatory reporters. This means they must report suspected child abuse or neglect.