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Recognising signs of child abuse

14-minute read

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Key facts

  • The term child abuse covers physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect.
  • Child abuse includes exposure to family violence.
  • It’s important to talk about safety with your child, so they know they can talk to you about anything and feel protected doing so.
  • If you think a child you know is being abused, you can talk to the child about it and report the abuse.

What is child abuse?

Child abuse and neglect is behaviour by adults in a child’s life that can cause them harm. It can be intentional (on purpose) or non-intentional.

There are 4 main types of child abuse and neglect. These are:

  1. physical abuse
  2. emotional abuse
  3. sexual abuse
  4. neglect

A child can suffer from one or more types of abuse.

Some children may not show obvious signs of abuse. Other children may show signs of abuse through their:

At some time, you may be in a situation where you suspect a child is being abused. Being aware of signs of abuse may help you support a child who is being harmed.

Physical abuse

Physical abuse is when a child is hurt on purpose, or at risk of being hurt by someone they know. This could be:

Signs of physical abuse can be not obvious or hidden. They can include:

Physical abuse can have other emotional and psychological impacts on a child. They may:

They may also:

Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse is when a child is repeatedly:

This can include being around family violence.

Physical and sexual abuse can also cause emotional and psychological trauma for a child.

There are many signs that a child might be experiencing emotional abuse. They might have:

Physical signs you might notice in a child suffering emotional abuse are:

They may also:

Neglect

Neglect is when a child doesn’t have enough:

Neglect results in the child being injured or their development harmed. Possible signs of neglect include:

Signs that a young child or baby may be experiencing neglect include not meeting physical and developmental milestones.

Sexual abuse

Child sexual abuse is when a child is persuaded (coerced) or forced to take part in sexual activities. This can happen both online and offline.

Signs of child sexual abuse include changes in behaviour, emotions and physical signs.

Some physical signs include:

They may also:

A child may not realise they have been sexually abused. Often, they may have been groomed into trusting their abuser.

Children suffering sexual abuse may often feel depressed. They may feel suicidal or attempt suicide.

If you, or someone you know, is having suicidal thoughts and is in immediate danger, call triple zero (000). To talk to someone now, call Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

How can I help protect my child?

You can help protect your child from abuse by teaching them about personal safety.

Talking about safety should be ongoing — not a one-time conversation. When you talk to your child about safety, remember to:

Encourage your child to tell you about anything they are feeling or experiencing:

It’s also important to teach your child the correct terms for their private parts (penis, vulva, anus). Make it clear that these parts are private and belong to them. Never make them feel embarrassed about their body or sexuality.

Let your child know that if something feels wrong or scary, they should listen to their feelings. It does not make a difference if something has happened online, or in person. It’s okay to talk about it, and it’s okay for them to stand up for themselves. Teach them the importance of saying ‘no’ if something feels wrong.

What should I do if I notice signs of abuse?

It’s important to be alert to any warning signs of child abuse.

If you suspect that a child is being abused, there are some things to remember:

What should I say to the child?

If you are concerned about a child, you can have a calm conversation with them. You can start by letting them know you have a concern. You may have noted that they are not acting like they normally do. They may seem sad or unwell.

It’s important that you do not pressure the child into telling you what they are going through. You can let the child know that they can always talk to you.

The child may share some of what they are experiencing with you. If they do, it‘s important to:

If the child tells you about any abuse, remain calm and listen. Do not ask the child too many questions. It’s not your job to try and find out more or to counsel the child. Thank the child for telling you and assure them that:

Don't promise to keep it a secret though, because you will need to report it.

Who do I report abuse to?

Anyone who thinks that a child is being abused should report it to a child protection authority.

Some people are mandatory reporters — they are professionals, who are required by law to report child abuse. This includes:

In the Northern Territory, all adults are mandatory reporters.

In most Australian states, the law requires all adults to report known child sexual abuse.

In New South Wales and Tasmania, adults are also required to report serious physical child abuse and neglect.

Child protection authorities you can contact

Call the police on triple zero (000) if you think a child is in immediate danger.

Each state or territory handles child protection separately. Below are the government departments or organisations you can ask for help.

Should I report it if I don't have absolute proof?

It can be hard to act on suspicions of abuse. You may feel you are interfering or ruining another person’s life.

You may feel that you can't say anything if you don't have proof that it’s happening. However, it's best to report it even if you're not sure abuse is taking place. By law, reporting of child abuse based on reasonable suspicion is mandatory in:

Child abuse is unacceptable, regardless of the circumstance or cultural background. Abuse is never the child's fault. Acting on your suspicions could stop any further abuse happening.

Child abuse is also under-reported in Australia. Children can be affected for their whole lives by abuse. It's vital that adults protect them.

However, it’s good to make sure your suspicion of child abuse is not biased by your:

In some situations, it’s best to talk to the child’s parents or carer about your suspicion. Engaging with the child’s parents can build trust and a support network for the child.

If you can’t decide if you need to report something, think about if you:

If the above points are true, it’s best for you to make a report.

What happens when I report child abuse?

When you report a case of suspected child abuse you may be asked:

Any information you provide will be confidential. However, it’s preferable to supply these details. That way you can be contacted if further information is needed.

Even if you do not have all the details, you should report the abuse.

Resources and support

If you need more information on child abuse, there are places you can go for support.

Speak to a maternal child health nurse

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.

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Need further advice or guidance from our maternal child health nurses?

Need further advice or guidance from our maternal child health nurses?

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