Types of abuse
1. Introduction
This document is a best practice reference document for use by those in the Church who have a role with children, young people and adults.
It contains information about the types of abuse which can occur and how to recognise them, including physical signs and symptoms as well as behavioural changes that you might observe. Bear in mind that children, young people and adults may be subject to one type of abuse or a combination of types of abuse. It is informed by the definitions available in Working Together 2018 and the Care Act 2014.
The lists of signs and symptoms below are not exhaustive – there may be other signs or symptoms which are not listed below which could be indicators of abuse. Similarly, some of these signs and symptoms will not always be indicators of abuse. The following lists under each category of abuse contain examples of possible indicators. The presence of one or more of these signs or symptoms does not necessarily confirm abuse.
Please note that many types of abuse are also criminal offences and should be treated as such.
2. Children
2.1. Physical abuse
Physical abuse may or may not cause injury and includes physical ill treatment, causing unjustifiable physical discomfort, for example injury, pain or impairment.
| Abusive Actions | Signs and Symptoms |
|
Hitting |
Cuts, lacerations, puncture wounds, open wounds, bruising, welts, black eyes, burns, bite marks, broken bones and skull fractures |
|
Slapping |
Untreated injuries in various stages of healing or not properly treated |
| Kicking | Poor skin condition or poor skin hygiene |
| Shaking | Dehydration and/or malnourishment without an illness-related cause |
| Inappropriate restraint | Loss of weight |
| Withholding or misuse of medication | Soiled clothing or bedding |
| Squeezing | Broken eyeglasses or frames |
| Biting | Physical signs of being subjected to punishment or signs of being restrained |
| Suffocating | Inappropriate use of medication, overdosing or under dosing |
| Poisoning | Cowering and flinching |
| Drowning | Emotional distress, low self-esteem, untypical self-harm |
| Killing | Telling you they have been hit, slapped or mistreated |
| Physical abuse may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child. This is called Fabricated or Induced Illness. | Aggressive behaviour or severe temper outbursts |
| Involuntary isolation or confinement | Reluctance to get changed, for example in hot weather |
| Inappropriate application of techniques or treatments | Depression |
| Withdrawn behaviour | |
|
Remember: most children will collect cuts and bruises as part of the rough-and-tumble of daily life. A delay in seeking medical treatment when it is obviously necessary is also a cause for concern. Children may also display:
|
2.2. Sexual abuse
A sexual act carried out without the informed consent (see below) of the other individual is abuse. Such behaviour includes contact and non-contact abuse.
Contact abuse may include rape, indecent assault, being forced to touch another person, sexual intercourse or being pressurised into consenting to sexual acts.
It is also important to remember that it is not just adult men who sexually abuse children – there are increasing numbers of allegations of sexual abuse of children against women and sexual abuse can also be perpetrated by other children or young people.
| Abusive Actions | Signs and Symptoms |
| Rape | Bruises around the breasts or genital areas |
|
Sexual assault |
Unexplained STI or genital infections |
| Kissing | Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding |
| Fondling/caressing | Vaginal discharge or infection |
| Involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities | Torn, stained or bloody underclothing |
| Downloading child abuse images | The child telling you they have been sexually assaulted or raped |
| Encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways | Pain or itching in the genital area |
| Sending sexualised texts and emails and transmitting sexually explicit images through social media | Sexually transmitted disease |
| Grooming | Stomach pains or discomfort when walking or sitting down |
| Pregnancy | |
|
Changes in behaviour which can also indicate sexual abuse include:
|
Age of consent
The age of consent (the legal age to have sex) in England is 16 years old. This applies to both heterosexual and homosexual sex.
The laws are there to protect children from abuse or exploitation, rather than to prosecute under-16s who participate in mutually consenting sexual activity. Underage sexual activity may be a possible indicator of child sexual exploitation.
Statutory agencies have agreed that if 13-16-year-old sexual activity is discovered then an assessment of risk should be carried out.
Risks to be considered include:
- Whether the child is competent to understand, and consent to, the sexual activity they are involved in
- Whether the sexual activity is with someone of a similar age, ability and aptitude
- Whether there is a power imbalance • Whether there any coercion or bribery, overt aggression, misuse of alcohol or other substances acting as a disinhibitor
- Whether the sexual partner is known by one of the statutory agencies
To help protect younger children the law says anyone under the age of 13 can never legally give consent. This means that anyone who engages in any sexual activity with a child who is 12 or younger is breaking the law. Sexual activity with a child who is under 13 should always result in a child protection referral. The law gives extra protection to young people who are over the age of consent but under 18. It is illegal:
- To take, show or distribute indecent photographs of a child (this is often called sexting).
- To pay for or arrange sexual services of a child.
- For a person in a position of trust (for example teachers or care workers) to engage in sexual activity with anyone under the age of 18 who is in the care of their organization. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 applies in England and Wales. It gives more information about specific offences and the related penalties.
2.3. Neglect
2.4. Emotional abuse
2.5. Domestic abuse
2.6. Bullying and cyber-bullying
3. Adults
3.1. Physical abuse
3.2. Sexual abuse
3.3. Psychological abuse
3.4. Financial/material abuse
3.5. Modern slavery
3.6. Discriminatory abuse
3.7. Domestic abuse
3.8. Organisational or Institutional Abuse
3.9. Neglect and acts of omission
3.10. Self-neglect
4. Additional vulnerabilities
4.1. Additional Signs and Symptoms of Abuse
5. Additional Specialist Guidance
5.1. Complex abuse
5.2. Honour based violence or abuse 6
5.3. Forced marriage
5.4. Female genital mutilation
5.5. Spiritual abuse 9