Information for the public
Explanation of terms
Explanation of terms
The versions of the guideline for healthcare professionals contain more detailed information on the signs of child maltreatment.
Emotional abuse
Behaviour of a parent or carer towards a child that is likely to cause severe and long-lasting negative effects on the child's emotional development. There are many forms of emotional abuse, and it can include:
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making the child feel that they are worthless, unloved or only valued if they fulfil the adult's needs
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expectations of the child that are not appropriate for their age or stage of development
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preventing the child taking part in normal social interaction
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the child seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of someone else
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frequently causing the child to feel frightened or in danger.
Fabricated or induced illness
When a parent or carer makes up or exaggerates the child's symptoms or interferes with the child or their medication to make the child ill.
Neglect
The ongoing failure to meet the child's basic physical or psychological needs, which is likely to damage the child's health or development. This can include a parent or carer failing to:
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provide enough food, clothing and shelter
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protect the child from physical and emotional harm or danger
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ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers)
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ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment
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respond to the child's basic emotional needs.
Physical abuse
When the child is physically harmed, for example by hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning or suffocating. Physical harm may also be caused by fabricated or induced illness.
Sexual abuse
Involves forcing or enticing the child or young person to take part in sexual activities, including prostitution, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative or non-penetrative acts. They may include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.