Abuse

‘Child abuse’ is the term used for when someone under the age of 18 is harmed. This includes teenagers and young people up to 17 years old. Child abuse is never OK, and you have the right to stop it.

Here are some of the things that we call ‘abuse’:

‘Neglect’ is when you don’t get looked after properly. This could mean not getting enough food, not having warm clothes, or not having somewhere to sleep or to rest. It could also mean not being cared for properly if you are ill or disabled.
‘Physical abuse’ is if your body gets harmed. This could mean getting hit, pushed, or shaken. It could also mean being given dangerous substances including alcohol or drugs.
‘Sexual abuse’ is if you get touched in a way that feels wrong or scary. It also includes being forced or encouraged to have sex by an adult, or being asked to look at sexual photographs or films (porn) by an adult. Even if you are not sure exactly what is happening, these things are all sexual abuse.
‘Emotional abuse’ is when someone deliberately makes you feel scared, stupid, worthless/inadequate or sad, instead of feeling like you are being respected and cared for.
‘Bullying’ is when someone deliberately uses other types of abuse to get to you. It could be ‘big things’ like being beaten up. It could also be other things like being called names, being laughed at or singled out, having your things stolen or being threatened. Sometimes each thing can feel small but can add up to serious bullying. Remember that bullying can be face-to-face, but it can also use text messages or be online via your Facebook account, or through message boards and forums.