What is child abuse?

This article discusses sexual assault. If you’re currently in distress, please head to 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) for support.

Child abuse is any behaviour that harms a child (in this case, anyone under 18). It can take many forms, including physical, sexual and emotional abuse, as well as neglect and exploitation.

Child abuse is against the law. If you or a child you know is in immediate danger, you should call the police on 000.

If you’ve been abused, or know someone that has, one of the best things you can do is tell a trusted person. The effects of abuse on a child are serious and long-lasting. No matter when the abuse has occurred, whether in the past or it’s something that’s ongoing, you can always get help and support.

This can help if:

• you want information about child abuse

• you know someone who might have been abused

• you want help dealing with abuse.

Types of abuse

Abusive behaviour involves treating someone with cruelty or violence. It often happens regularly or repeatedly. There are four main types of abuse:

Physical abuse

Any use of physical force against a child that doesn’t happen by accident and causes injury. For more information, read our guide to physical abuse.

Sexual abuse

Any type of sexual involvement or contact between a child and an adult. Sexual abuse can be voyeurism (spying on or watching a child), sexual acts and incest (sex between family members). For more information on sexual abuse, read our guide to everything you need to know about sexual assault.

Emotional abuse

A pattern of denying a child love, approval and security, or mistreating a child in the way an adult speaks to them or acts towards them. Bullying, yelling, isolating, criticising, terrorising, ignoring and shaming are all examples of emotional abuse. For more information, read our guide to emotional abuse.

Neglect

Failing to provide a child with the things they need to survive and grow, such as shelter, food, hygiene, supervision, medical attention, education or safety.

Why are children abused?

Child abuse is never okay, irrespective of the reason. Some reasons people give as to why they abuse children include:

• a desire to feel powerful

• they themselves experienced abuse as children

• they don't understand that children have a right to feel safe

• they think it's okay or appropriate (it's not, ever).

Effects of child abuse

Child abuse is a form of trauma, and your response to that trauma can show up in your life in different ways. If you’ve been abused as a child, it can lead to:

• shame/self-blaming

• anger towards the abuser

• mood swings

• anxiety or depression

• fear of getting close to and trusting people

• fear of, or an inability to talk about, what happened

• sadness, confusion and low self-esteem

• flashbacks, nightmares and reliving the abuse

• denial that it happened

• trouble at school with learning new things and socialising with others.

Child abuse and the law

Child abuse is illegal. In some parts of Australia, every adult is legally required by the law to report child sexual abuse if they know it is happening.

If you are a survivor of child abuse, one of the best things you can do is talk to someone you trust - like a friend, parent, family member, or teacher – who can help you through the process. If the abuse is recent or ongoing, they can help ensure you are safe and prevent the abuse from happening again.

Getting help

The journey to recovery from child abuse can feel intimidating, but you don’t have to go it alone: there are always people available to help and support you. There are things you can do to deal with child abuse and its effects.

• Talk to someone you trust about it. This could be a friend or family member. It could also be a GP, counsellor, psychologist, psychiatrist, youth worker, trusted teacher or health worker. Learn more about talking to someone you trust.

• Report the child abuse to police. They can help you stay safe and make sure that the person who abused you doesn’t go on to hurt anyone else.

• Talk to other people who have experienced child abuse. Support groups for child abuse victims are a good place to meet other survivors who know how you feel. You don’t have to deal with this on your own.

If you’ve experienced child abuse, remember that it wasn’t your fault. The responsibility lies with the adult who abused you, no matter the circumstances.

Support services

If you require assistance, or would like to talk to a trained professional about child abuse and how to report it please call one of these services: