What is Child Abuse and Neglect?
Child Abuse is when a parent injures a child on purpose. It is also abuse if a stepparent or someone else in the family hurts a child. It is parents’ job to protect children from being hurt by anyone in the family.
- Spanking is not abuse. But if a child is injured when the parent spanks her or him, then that is abuse.
- Sometimes parents use words that hurt. When they do that all the time, that can be child abuse too.
Sexual Abuse is when an adult or older teenager tricks or forces a child into some kind of sex. It may be undressing, or touching private parts of your body or their body. It can be having sex. The person might try to make the child think it is the child’s fault. But it is never the child’s fault.
Neglect means not taking care of a child. Children need food and clothing. They need someone to watch out for them and be sure they are safe. They need to see a doctor when they are sick or hurt. Parents need to be sure that their children have the things they need to stay healthy and safe. If the parents don't, then that is neglect.
Child abuse and neglect can happen to small children or older children or teenagers. It happens in all kinds of families, rich or poor, and in all kinds of neighborhoods.
Are you being abused?
- Are punishments leaving you bruised or injured?
- Do you often get punished without understanding why?
- Are you made to feel bad about yourself a lot of the time?
- Is somebody touching you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable?
- Is somebody trying to trick you or force you to have sex?
- Are you kicked out of the house or left alone for days at a time?
Talking to someone can help.
- Telling someone what is happening is the first step to make things better.
- Think of an adult you trust. Maybe that is a teacher, school nurse, minister, rabbi, coach, doctor, or your other parent. Ask them to talk privately with you. Explain what has been happening. Ask them to help you.
- It is not easy to ask for help! It can be hard to tell other people about problems in your family! It can be embarrassing. It takes a lot of courage. But it is important to keep telling until somebody believes you and helps.