{"id":223,"date":"2011-03-17T08:05:53","date_gmt":"2011-03-17T15:05:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/humanium.org\/en\/"},"modified":"2025-12-06T06:16:31","modified_gmt":"2025-12-06T06:16:31","slug":"abuse","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.humanium.org\/en\/abuse\/","title":{"rendered":"Child abuse"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Children across the world frequently face heinous forms of <\/strong>violence<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>exploitation<\/strong><\/a> and abuse. Unfortunately, child abuse reaches every corner of the world, often occurring in places and areas where children should be most protected: within households, at schools and online. This abuse is commonly perpetrated by people who have gained children\u2019s trust. All <\/strong>children<\/strong><\/a> have the right to be <\/strong>protected<\/strong><\/a> from violence, exploitation and abuse. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Defining child abuse<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Child abuse is defined as any intentionally harmful action(s) carried out on a child under the age of 18 by either an adult or another child. This definition encompassess all types and forms of physical and emotional ill-treatment, which lead to actual or potential harm to a child\u2019s \u201chealth, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power\u201d (WHO). Incidences of abuse may be isolated or prolonged over a period of time. As children grow and develop, they are at greater risk of different forms of abuse (WHO, 2020).  <\/s> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Identifying the different forms of child abuse<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Abusive behaviour towards children can manifest itself in many different ways, accordingly, there are multiple forms of child abuse including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Bullying and cyberbullying<\/li>
  2. Child sexual exploitation (CSE)<\/a><\/li>
  3. Child trafficking<\/a><\/li>
  4. Child criminal exploitation and gangs<\/li>
  5. Domestic abuse<\/li>
  6. Emotional abuse<\/li>
  7. Female genital mutilation\/cutting (FGM\/C)<\/a><\/li>
  8. Grooming<\/li>
  9. Child neglect<\/li>
  10. Physical abuse<\/li>
  11. Sexual abuse<\/li>
  12. Non-recent abuse<\/li>
  13. Medical abuse<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Risk factors of child abuse<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Child abuse is often, though not always, detectable. However, the factors which increase the risk of child abuse are frequently more difficult to detect. There are four different categories of risk factors that may increase the likelihood that a child faces abuse, neglect or maltreatment. These four categories of vulnerability relate to: the child<\/a> themselves, parents and caregivers, relationship dynamics and societal factors. Under no circumstances is a victim of child abuse responsible for the harm they suffer – \u201cChildren who are abused are never to blame\u201d (WHO, 2020).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. The characteristics that may cause a child<\/u><\/em> to be abused include but are not limited to: the child being under the age of four, the child being unwanted by their parents or failing to meet their parents expectations, the child requiring special needs or bearing a physical\/neurological disability, the child identifying as LGBTQIA+<\/a> (WHO, 2020). <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      1. The characteristics of a parent\/caregiver<\/u><\/em> that may indicate a greater risk of child abuse include but are not limited to: misuse of drugs and alcohol, low self-esteem, history of personal abuse or mistreatment as children, mental health challenges, involvement in criminal activity, financial difficulties, challenges bonding with the child from birth, lack of awareness on child development, unrealistic expectations of the child and poor impulse control (WHO, 2020).<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
        1. The characteristics of the relationship<\/u><\/em> amongst family or household members that may increase the risk of a child being abused include but are not limited to: domestic abuse\/violence that is prevalent within the home, the family lacking a good support network or a breakdown in support from extended family or the local community (WHO, 2020).<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
          1. The characteristics of societal factors<\/u><\/em> that may increase a child\u2019s risk of being abused include but are not limited to: easily accessible drugs and alcohol, lack of family\/community support and inadequate housing and poor living standards, poverty and unemployment, social and gender inequalities, societal rule and norms which support the use of corporal punishment, rigid gender roles or the promotion\/glorification of violence towards others (WHO, 2020).<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            How to recognize signs of child abuse – identifying \u2018red\u2019 flags<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
            \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

            The warning signs for child abuse are not always obvious and being able to identify and recognize indications of a problem can save a child\u2019s life. Due to the varying forms of child abuse, the signs of abuse may manifest in different forms (Smith, Robinson, Segal, 2020). Characteristics such as self-harm, defiant behaviour, attempted suicide<\/a>, absence from school, social withdrawal from friends\/family<\/a> or social activities, a drastic change in performance at school or in extracurricular activities, a change in behaviour, aggression, anger, hostility or hyperactivity, are a few examples of visible \u2018red flags\u2019 which might point towards abuse (Santos & Holland, 2018).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The effects of child abuse on childhood and child development<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            Child abuse can have long-lasting impacts on children that follow them into adulthood. Although not all effects of child abuse are physical; the emotional, psychological, behavioural and cognitive effects can also have damaging effects on children\u2019s self-worth, self-esteem, education, future relationships and work (Smith, Robinson, Segal, 2020). The consequences of child abuse are often intergenerational, as those who fall victim of abuse are more likely to cause harm to others in the future. Cognisant of this fact, interventions seeking to prevent child abuse must work to break long-standing cycles of abuse and exploitation<\/a> (WHO, 2020). Below, the effects of child abuse on child development<\/a> will be categorised into physical, psychological, cognitive <\/strong>and behavioural effects.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The physical effects <\/strong>of child abuse can range from injuries, stunted growth (height and weight), skin markings or scars, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), severe brain damage or death (National Research Council, 1993).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The psychological effects<\/strong> of child abuse include a lack of trust and difficulty forming relationships, heightened feelings of \u00a8worthlessness\u00a8, difficulty understanding emotions, feelings of anxiety, depression, anger or rage, feelings of numbness (Smith, Robinson, Segal, 2020).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The cognitive effects <\/strong>of child abuse include learning disabilities, delayed intellectual development and affected academic performance (National Research Council, 1993).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The behavioural effects <\/strong>of child abuse include violent and deviant behaviour, difficulty forming close relationships, emotional instability and heightened sexuality in children who have been sexually abused (National Research Council, 1993).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Corporal punishment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child<\/a> defines corporal punishment as \u00a8any punishment in which physical force is used and intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort, however light\u201d. Most corporal punishment involves hitting (\u201csmacking\u201d, \u201cslapping\u201d, \u201cspanking\u201d) children, with the hand or with an implement: a whip, stick, belt, shoe, wooden spoon, etc. However, this form of abuse can also involve, for example, kicking, shaking or throwing children, scratching, pinching, biting, pulling hair or boxing ears, caning, forcing children to stay in uncomfortable positions, burning, scalding, or forced ingestion\u00a8 (United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, 2011).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

            Corporal punishment \u201cis the most widespread form of violence against children.\u201d (Council of Europe). Bringing an end to corporal punishment will assist in working towards the United Nation\u00b4s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target 16.2 in ending violence against children<\/a> (Global Coalition to End All Corporal Punishment of Children, 2018). The use of corporal punishment violates various children\u00b4s rights such as the right to respect their human dignity, right to physical integrity, right to health and education, freedom from tortute and inhuman or degrading treatment and the right to development (Global Coalition to End All Corporal Punishment of Children, 2018).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The use of corporal punishment is the most widespread form of violance against children globally and prohibiting its use would have a positive impact on reducing other forms of violence against children. The use of corporal punishment has been found to have negative health and behavioural impacts on children such as poor mental health and cognitive development, antisocial behaviour and increased aggression (Global Coalition to End All Corporal Punishment of Children, 2018).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Globally, there are different and opposing approaches to corporal punishment whereby some see it as having a harmful affect on a child\u00b4s development<\/a> and others view it as a form of discipline that teaches children respect (Howard, 2018).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Under international human rights law, countries are obliged to prohibit all forms of corporal punishment, including in a home setting. This international obligation is set out by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child<\/a> under General Comment No. 8  on the right of the child to protection from corporal punishment and other cruel or degrading forms of punishment (Global Coalition to End All Corporal Punishment of Children, 2018).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Corporal punishment is most prevalent in two settings which include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            1. Corporal punishment in the home\/family setting<\/li>
            2. Corporal punishment in schools<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

              As of 2020, globally, 58 countries have prohibited corporal punishment and 67 countries have not prohibited corporal punishment in schools. Sixteen countries do not fully prohibit it in any setting including as a sentence for crime. In 31 countries it is still lawful under state, religious and\/or traditional law as a sentence for crimes that are committed by juveniles<\/a> (Global Coalition to End All Corporal Punishment of Children, 2018). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Regional laws and prohibitions vary on corporal punishment. In East and Southern Africa, as of June 2020, 3 countries (Kenya<\/a>, Seychelles<\/a> and South Africa<\/a>) have prohibited the use of corporal punishment in all settings and a further 4 countries have expressed commitment towards a full prohibition (Global Coalition to End All Corporal Punishment of Children, 2020). In South Asia<\/a>, as of January 2020, Nepal<\/a> is the only country that has prohibited corporal punishment in all settings. Sri Lanka<\/a> has commited to prohibit it as a sentence for a crime but has not prohibited it in any settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Across East Asia and the Pacific, countries such as Japan<\/a>, Mongolia<\/a>, New Zealand<\/a> and South Korea<\/a> have committed to a full prohibition of corporal punishment. As of January 2020, 36 countries across Europe<\/a> and Central Asia<\/a> have committed to a full prohibition on corporal punishment (Global Coalition to End All Corporal Punishment of Children, 2021).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              The Middle East<\/a> and North Africa<\/a>, also known as the MENA region, have some of the highest rates of corporal punishment in the world. In a survey conducted by Human Rights Watch, it was found that 90% of children in the region suffer from corporal punishment. A majority of the countries within the MENA region<\/a> lack legislation and policies to end corporal punishment whilst some countries explicity permit the use of corporal punishment (Human Rights Watch, 2021). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Child abuse prevalence and global statistics<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

              According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 300 million children between the ages of 2-4 years old suffer physical punishment and emotional abuse at the hands of their parents\/caregivers. 1 in 13 men and 1 in 5 women report being sexually abused as children between the ages of 0-1. Globally, approximately 120 million young women and girls<\/a> below the age of 20 have suffered from some form of sexual abuse (WHO, 2020). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Reporting mechanisms and prevention<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

              As child abuse is a multifaceted problem, in order to prevent it, a multisectoral approach is required. The following non-exhaustive list outlines a series of interventions which have been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2020).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              1. Greater support to parents and caregivers to reinforce healthy parenting strategies. This support should be provided by qualified and trained professionals within community settings.<\/li>
              2. Greater focus on education. Prioritizing children\u2019s right to education<\/a> builds resilience within young people and reduces their own child abuse risk factors. Further, schools should provide a safe and violence-free environment to catalyse children\u2019s healthy development.<\/li>
              3. Greater educational focus around sexual abuse and exploitation<\/a>. Children require increased support to upscale their understanding of consent and the right to privacy, as well as their knowledge of how to access help and support.<\/li>
              4. Greater focus on cultural norms and values. Programmes and initiatives must work to protect children against community and societal norms which violate children\u2019s fundamental human rights<\/a> and expose them to harm.<\/li>
              5. Greater emphasis on legislative reform and law enforcement. Corporal punishment must be outlawed, alongside other acts which subject children to harm, and these laws must be enforced to protect children<\/a> from sexual abuse and exploitation.<\/li>
              6. Greater focus on response and support services. The earlier a potential case of child abuse is recognised, the easier it is to prevent and mitigate harm. Communities must work to identify child abuse as early as possible and provide care to child victims.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                WHO has further established seven strategies in order to end violence against children: INSPIRE (WHO, 2016).<\/p>\n\n\n\n