NSPCC - Help and advice - What is child abuse

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What is child abuse?: Sexual abuse; Physical abuse; Bullying; Neglect; Domestic violence; Emotional abuse

Physical abuse

Definition
The signs of physical abuse
What action to take
People to talk to
Publications

Definition

Physical abuse includes hitting, shaking, kicking, punching, scalding, suffocating and other ways of inflicting pain or injury to a child. It also includes giving a child harmful substances, such as drugs, alcohol or poison. If a parent or carer reports non-existent symptoms of illness in a child, or deliberately causes illness in a child, this is also a form of physical abuse.

The NSPCC believes that hitting children is wrong whatever the circumstances. It is emotionally and physically harmful and sets a bad example to children. What's more, it isn't even a very effective way of encouraging better behaviour. The NSPCC has a range of advice on managing children's behaviour without smacking.

The effects on children

Physical abuse can have long-term effects on a child's health and development. It can cause physical injury, brain damage or disability and may lead to children developing emotional, behavioural or educational problems. For some children, these difficulties can continue in adulthood. For example, people who were physically abused as children may have problems with personal relationships and they may be more likely to treat their own children abusively. The child's age, the frequency of the abuse and how long it has been happening, all influence how much they will be affected by it. But sometimes a severe isolated incident can affect a child as badly as on-going abuse.

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The signs of physical abuse

Bruises, black eyes and broken bones are obvious signs of physical abuse. Other signs might include:

Injuries that the child cannot explain or explains unconvincingly
Untreated or inadequately treated injuries
Injuries to parts of the body where accidents are unlikely, such as thighs, back, abdomen
Bruising which looks like hand or finger marks
Cigarette burns, human bites
Scalds and burns.

Behavioural signs

If a child is being physically abused, their behaviour may change in one or more of the following ways:

Become sad, withdrawn or depressed
Have trouble sleeping
Behave aggressively or be disruptive
Show fear of certain adults
Have a lack of confidence and low self-esteem
Use drugs or alcohol

Who hurts children, and why?

Children are hurt by adults of all ages, class, sex, race and sexual orientation. The following factors may increase the likelihood of physical abuse:

Stress, possibly caused by financial problems, and difficulties in the parents' relationships. This can reduce some adults' ability to control aggressive feelings towards their children.
Social disadvantage, for example living on a low income in inadequate housing or being discriminated against because of ethnicity, religion, disability or sexual orientation. All of these factors could affect parents' ability to care for their children properly.
Mental illness, substance abuse and domestic violence could also have a damaging effect on their ability to meet their children's needs.

What action to take

If you suspect that a neighbour, relative or friend is being physically abusive towards a child, take action now by calling the free NSPCC Helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week (0808 800 5000). All our advisers are qualified child protection officers. If necessary for the child's safety, they will pass the information on to social services so they can investigate the matter further.

Social services have a duty to investigate allegations of abuse. Their involvement does not necessarily mean the child will be removed from the parents, but it is important the child's safety is ensured. One or both parents may need appropriate support and advice.

If social services become involved will the child be taken away?
In most cases, the child remains at home and social services will provide additional help and support to the parent/s to make sure the child is not at further risk of abuse. But if this is too risky, the child may have to be taken away from home for their own safety. If appropriate, other family members or friends could look after the child temporarily.
If you have suspicions, but are worried that there may be an innocent explanation, you can talk in confidence to a Helpline adviser to help you decide what to do.

People to talk to

NSPCC Helpline
Tel: 0808 800 5000
Email: Helpline@nspcc.org.uk

NSPCC Asian Helpline
Bengali 0800 096 7714
Gujurati 0800 096 7715
Hindi 0800 096 7716
Punjabi 0800 096 7717
Urdu 0800 096 7718
Asian/English 0800 096 7719

Cymru/Wales Child Protection Helpline
Freephone 0808 100 2524.
Email: helplinecymru@nspcc.org.uk in English or Welsh.
Textphone: Freephone 0808 100 1033 (this is for people with hearing difficulties).
Fax: 01248 361085

Publications

A list of publications about physical abuse can be found on Inform .

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