If you think someone is abusing a child, you can find out how to report child abuse. You can find out more about how to identify child abuse on the NSPCC website. You can find out more about domestic abuse, including how to find somewhere else to stay and how to get legal protection. If a child sees or hears domestic violence or abuse between the adults in their home, this could be child abuse. You can find out about how to get a police check on someone that has contact with a child on GOV.UK. If you’re worried about someone who has contact with a child you can ask the police to check if they have a record of sexual offences. Help and Advice: (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) is there to keep children safe from sexual abuse and grooming online. Using young people in prostitution - it's always child sexual abuse to involve someone under 18 in prostitution Non-contact activities, such as showing children pornographic images or grooming a child online, in preparation for abuse You know your child best, so approach the conversation in a way that feels right for you both. These tips will help you talk to your child about what to do if they have seen pornography online. Physical contact, for example, sexual touching or sexual assault Online pornography: how to keep your child safe Children may see pornography online by accident, deliberately or they may be shown by a friend or sibling. This is where a child is made to take part in sexual activities, whether or not they know what’s happening and whether or not there is a threat of violence. Lets a child see or hear the abuse of someone elseīullies a child, causing them to feel frightened or in danger - this includes online bullying Prevents a child from taking part in normal social activities Emotional abuseĮmotional abuse is treatment which causes serious damage to a child's emotional development.Įxamples of emotional abuse include when someone:ĭoesn’t show a child they’re responsible for any affectionĭoesn’t give a child opportunities to express their views Examples of physical abuse include hitting or shaking a child. Physical abuse is when someone deliberately hurts or harms a child, or makes them ill. If you’re worried that you might be neglecting your child because you don’t have enough money to live on, you might be able to get help from your local council or the government. 'Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World', Gary Chapman, Arlene Pellicane. Someone might be neglecting a child they're responsible for if they:ĭon’t provide adequate food, clothing and shelter for them- fail to protect them from physical and emotional harm or danger - this includes during pregnancyĭon’t allow them access to appropriate medical care or treatment Someone might neglect a child on purpose, or they might not realise they're doing it. Neglect is the ongoing failure to meet a child's basic physical or emotional needs. Here are some examples of things which would cause harm and where a child would need protection. Local councils and other organisations that come into contact with children have a legal duty to protect them if they’re under 18 and suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm. Stop them from growing and developing properly
There is no clear legal definition of ‘child abuse’ but there are laws to protect children from harm.