Child abuse

What you need to know

Contents
Introduction
What is child abuse?
Why does child abuse happen?
Myths and facts about child abuse
Incidence and impact of child abuse
Indicators of child abuse
Responding to suspicion or disclosure of child abuse
Speaking out about child abuse
Common concerns you may have when deciding whether to report child abuse
Reporting child abuse
The reporting process
Making a report to the department
Confidential reporting
If you make a report and believe no action has been taken
Information for employees or organisations related to children or childcare
Contact numbers

Introduction
Caring for a child can be fun and rewarding, but it can also be stressful and is not always
easy. Sometimes children do not get the care they need and their families may need
help from friends, family and their community.
A child may be harmed in any family or neighbourhood. It is not something that people
like to talk about but it can happen to a child who attends your local school or plays in
your local sporting team. Child abuse is not isolated to particular social groups or areas.
All adults have a responsibility to protect children from harm. The information in this
booklet is designed to help you make informed decisions to help ensure children are
safe.
The booklet provides information about child abuse and its impact on a childs life. It also
provides advice on what to do if a child tells you they have been harmed or if you
suspect that a child has been harmed.
This information is relevant for all adults who have contact with children.
Organisations providing programs or activities for children can use the information in this
booklet to better inform policies and procedures for handling suspicions of abuse or
disclosures by a child about harm.

What is child abuse?

There are four different types of child abuse that lead to harm:
physical abuse

sexual abuse

emotional abuse

neglect.

Child abuse can be a single incident, or can be a number of different incidents that take
place over time.
It does not matter how much a child is harmed, but what counts is whether a child:
has suffered harm, is suffering harm, or is at risk of suffering harm

does not have a parent able and willing to protect them from harm.

Harm is defined as any detrimental effect of a significant nature on the childs physical,
psychological or emotional wellbeing. For harm to be significant, the detrimental effect
on the childs wellbeing must be substantial or serious, more than transitory and must be
demonstrable in the childs presentation, unctioning or behaviour.
Physical abuse
Physical abuse occurs when a child has suffered, or is at risk of suffering, non-accidental
physical trauma or injury.
Physical abuse can include:
hitting

shaking

throwing

burning

biting

poisoning.

Physical abuse does not always leave visible marks or injuries. It is not how bad the
mark or injury is, but rather the act itself that causes injury or trauma to the child.
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse occurs when an adult, stronger child or adolescent uses their power or
authority to involve a child in sexual activity.
Sexual abuse can be physical, verbal or emotional and can include:
kissing or holding a child in a sexual manner

exposing a sexual body part to a child

having sexual relations with a child under 16 years of age

talking in a sexually explicit way that is not age or developmentally appropriate

making obscene phone calls or remarks to a child

sending obscene mobile text messages or emails to a child

fondling a child in a sexual manner

persistently intruding on a childs privacy

penetrating the childs vagina or anus by penis, finger or any other object

oral sex

rape

incest

showing pornographic films, magazines or photographs to a child

having a child pose or perform in a sexual manner

forcing a child to watch a sexual act

child prostitution.

Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse occurs when a childs social, emotional, cognitive or intellectual
development is impaired or threatened. It can include emotional deprivation due to
persistent:
rejection

hostility

teasing/bullying

yelling

criticism

exposure of a child to domestic and family violence.

Domestic and family violence is strongly associated with child abuse and neglect. There
is an increased risk for a child living in a household experiencing domestic violence that
their basic childhood needs will not be met, including the need for care and protection by

their parents.
Witnessing violence between parents can have a serious impact on the emotional
wellbeing and development of a child. It can impact on their self-image, their response to
other people and their ability to form healthy relationships as adults. Witnessing
domestic violence denies a child a sense of security and safety, teaches them that
violence is a solution to problems and may lead to them developing symptoms of
posttraumatic stress disorder. For more information on the impact of child abuse please
refer to page 13 of this booklet.
Neglect
Neglect occurs when a childs basic necessities of life are not met and their health and
development are affected.
Basic needs include:
food

housing

health care

adequate clothing

personal hygiene

hygienic living conditions

timely provision of medical treatment

adequate supervision.

Why does child abuse happen?

Children are usually abused by someone they know in their own home, most often a
parent or a carer, rather than a stranger. The causes of child abuse are complex and
there is no single or simple explanation.
Most parents want to love and care for their children within a safe home. Abuse can
occur when stress, tiredness or a lack of skills, knowledge or support make the
pressures of caring for children overwhelming. Some of the factors that may contribute
to the likelihood of abuse occurring include:
isolation and lack of support when there is no one, such as extended family,
friends, a partner or community support to help with the demands of parenting
stress financial pressures, job worries, medical problems or taking care of a
family member with a disability can increase stress and overwhelm parents
unrealistic expectations a lack of understanding of a childs developmental
stages and behaviour can impact on a parents relationship with their child
intellectual disability caring for children and protecting them, especially babies
and toddlers, takes a lot of time and attention - an intellectual disability may lead
to a parent not being able to adequately care for their baby or child
lack of parenting skills parents may not know how to help children learn, grow
and behave in a positive way
mental illness mental health problems may lead to a person not being able to
adequately care for their baby or child

drug, alcohol or gambling problems addiction or substance abuse may limit a

parents ability to meet their childs needs
low self-esteem and self-confidence sometimes insecure parents doubt their
ability to meet their childs needs and find it hard to seek help and support
poor childhood experiences parents may have previous experience of abuse
as a child in their own family.

The presence of one or more of these factors may be an indicator that a child could be
neglected or abused. Given the right circumstances, skills, knowledge and resources,
most people who harm a child can positively change their behaviour.
Parents are responsible for the care of their children and need to recognise when they
need help before harm occurs. If you feel yourself becoming stressed and losing control
of a situation:
stop and think about how you and your child are affected by what is happening

do something to change the situation for the better

get support to make changes seeking support can take courage, but is critical
for you and your child.

Community attitudes are also a contributing factor to child abuse. There is still some
acceptance in the community of excessive physical force for the purposes of discipline
and punishment of children. Attitudes vary across different communities and those that
can inadvertently support abuse include:
accepting the use of violence and force

accepting physical punishment of children

accepting parental ownership of children and their right to treat children as they
see fit
inequality between men and women

limited community understanding about the impact of child abuse and neglect for
children.

People may not report their concerns because they do not consider it any of their
business, may not want to get involved or do not trust child protection agencies.
Effective protection of children relies on community members reporting their concerns for
a child. This needs to occur in a timely way to prevent concerns becoming more serious
and the child being harmed.

Myths and facts about child abuse

Myth: Children make up stories about abuse.
Fact: Children rarely lie about abuse. Their disclosures of abuse may vary because of
their reluctance and fear to tell what has happened. Children may fear that they or their
parents may be removed from the family, or they may be pressured and threatened into
retracting any disclosure.
Myth: Sometimes children are to blame for their abuse
Fact: Children are never to blame for the abuse they suffer. Adults are responsible for
their own behaviour and no matter how children behave, an adult never has any right to

harm a child.
Myth: If children do not see domestic violence, they are not affected by it.
Fact: Children do not need to see violence to know that it is happening and to be
affected by it. Children see the aftermath of violence in their home and they see the
impact of violence on a person close to them.
Myth: Reporting suspected child abuse can cause more harm than the abuse
itself.
Fact: Sometimes people are concerned about children being affected by efforts to
protect them, which may include legal proceedings. Continued abuse will cause more
harm than any action taken to protect the child.
Myth: If child abuse is reported to authorities, they will take the child away from
their family.
Fact: Removing the child from the family home is a last resort if the child is assessed as
being at significant risk of ongoing harm. In the majority of cases, the Department of
Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services will work with the family to address
issues that are causing the child to be abused or neglected. This often involves assisting
with access to family support or counselling services. Children are removed from their
families where there is an immediate serious threat to their safety or when it is
determined that the risk of further serious abuse is too great.
Myth: Child abuse only happens in poor families.
Fact: Child abuse happens in every type of family. People who harm children can come
from any background, race or religion, and have any kind of job. Some are rich, some
are financially disadvantaged and some are well-educated.
Myth: Young children are the only ones vulnerable to child abuse.
Fact: Child abuse can happen to infants, children and adolescents. Sometimes it might
seem like adolescents should be able to fight back, but it is hard to stand up to an adult
causing physical, sexual or emotional harm, especially when it is their own parent. Child
abuse is often an abuse of power and trust. Cruel words and sexual or physical abuse
can hurt adolescents as much as they can hurt a child.
Myth: Physical discipline is not child abuse.
Fact: Discipline is correcting behaviour and showing a child how to behave in a more
acceptable way. Physical discipline will become abuse if it results in harm or injury to a
child. There are many ways to discipline children without using excessive force.
Myth: Children who are abused will harm children when they are adults.
Fact: Many children who are abused do not harm children themselves when they grow
up. With support and counselling many children will go on to live productive lives and
parent their children safely.

Incidence and impact of child abuse

Incidence
Children up to four years of age are the most likely to be abused.

Indigenous children are over-represented in the child protection system with

neglect being the most common type of harm.

Similar numbers of girls and boys experience abuse.

Emotional abuse is the most common type of abuse.

Impact
All forms of child abuse can have both short and long-term impacts for children, and no
two children react to harm in the same way. Some children show no observable effects
of child abuse, while others show a wide range of signs. There may be long-term
impacts even when short-term effects are not apparent.
The younger the child and the more vulnerable they are, the more serious the
consequences are likely to be.
Children may experience a range of emotional, psychological and physical impacts as a
result of being harmed, including:
permanent physical injuries or death

low self-esteem

increased fear, guilt and self blame

distrust of adults

depression

suicidal thoughts and self-harming

anxiety disorders

attachment disorders

post-traumatic stress disorder

learning disorders, including poor language and cognitive development

aggressive behaviour and other behavioural problems

developmental delay, eating disorders and physical ailments

delinquency and criminal behaviour, including violence towards others

drug and alcohol abuse and high-risk sexual behaviour

difficulty forming relationships with other adults

behaviour that leads to them being singled out, bullied and victimised.

The most serious effects are likely to occur when no one takes action to help stop the
abuse and protect the child.
With early identification and appropriate response and support, children can recover
from experiences of abuse and neglect. A childs support network, and bonds with those
who believe and protect them, will help them to cope. Support and counselling can also
help them identify protective behaviours and establish positive relationships for the
future.
Without effective support, ongoing child abuse can have long-term effects on individuals
and communities. Research links the experience of childhood abuse with psychological
problems, an increased risk of suicide and drug and alcohol misuse.

Indicators of child abuse

Children who have been, or may be, experiencing abuse may show behavioural,

emotional or physical signs of harm.

Some children show no indications of harm, while others may show many. A childs
behaviour is likely to be affected if they have experienced harm however it is important
to find out specifically what may be causing any negative behaviour.
General indicators of child abuse can include:
showing wariness and distrust of adults

rocking, sucking or biting excessively

bedwetting or soiling

demanding or aggressive behaviour

sleeping difficulties, often being tired and falling asleep

low self-esteem

difficulty relating to adults and peers

abusing alcohol or drugs

being seemingly accident prone

feeling suicidal or attempting suicide

having difficulty concentrating

being withdrawn or overly obedient

being reluctant to go home

creating stories, poems or artwork about abuse.

Indicators of physical abuse include:

broken bones or unexplained bruising, burns or welts in different stages of

healing
a child being unable to explain an injury, or explanations that are inconsistent,
vague or unbelievable
unusual or unexplained internal injuries

having a family history of violence

a marked delay between injury and seeking medical assistance

parents showing little concern about the wellbeing of their child or the treatment
and care of an injury
repeated visits to health services with injuries, poisoning or minor complaints
(this could also be an indicator of Fabricated or Induced Illness (Fll, originally and
more commonly known as Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSbP) which is a
mental illness where a caregiver, usually a parent, guardian or spouse, feigns or
induces an illness in another person, usually a vulnerable child or adult, to gain
power and control over the victim as well as attention or sympathy from others)
a child being unusually frightened of a parent or carer

arms and legs covered by inappropriate clothing in warm weather (to hide
bruises, cuts or marks)
a child avoiding physical contact

becoming scared when other children cry or shout

being excessively friendly to strangers

being passive and compliant.

Indicators of sexual abuse include:

displaying greater sexual knowledge than normally expected for the childs age or
developmental level
hints about sexual activity through actions or comments that are inappropriate to
the childs age or developmental level
inappropriate sexual play and behaviour with themselves, other children or dolls
and toys
excessive masturbation or masturbation in public after kindergarten age

persistent bedwetting, urinating or soiling in clothes

regressive behaviour, such as baby talk and thumb-sucking

persistent sexual themes in their drawings or play time

fear or avoidance of any aspect of sexuality

sexually suggestive behaviour with adults or older children

poor social boundaries

starting fires or a fascination with fire

destroying property

hurting or mutilating animals

promiscuity or prostitution

refusing to undress for activities or often wearing layers of clothing

bruising, bleeding, swelling, tears or cuts on genitals or anus

unusual vaginal odour or discharge

torn, stained or bloody clothing, especially underwear

pain or itching in the genital area, difficulty going to the toilet, walking or sitting

a sexually transmitted disease, especially in a preadolescent child

pregnancy

a child implies that they are required to keep secrets

fear of being alone with a particular person.

Indicators of emotional abuse include:

extremes in behaviour from overly aggressive to overly passive

delayed physical, emotional or intellectual development

compulsive lying or stealing

high levels of anxiety

lack of trust in people

feelings of worthlessness about life and themselves

eating hungrily or hardly at all

uncharacteristic attention-seeking

self-harming

a parent or carer constantly criticising, threatening, belittling, insulting or rejecting

the child.

Indicators of neglect include:

malnutrition, begging, stealing or hoarding food

poor hygiene, matted hair, dirty skin or body odour

unattended physical or medical problems

comments from a child that no one is home to provide care

being constantly tired

frequent lateness or absence from school

inappropriate clothing, especially inadequate clothing in winter

frequent illness, infections or sores

being left unsupervised for long periods

alcohol or drug abuse being present in the household.

Responding to suspicion or disclosure of child abuse

Child abuse, in any form, by anyone, is unacceptable. It is not unusual for a child to deny
that something is wrong because it is a natural way of coping with something that can be
overwhelming.
If you suspect a child has been, or is being, abused:
remain alert to any warning signs or indicators that a child is experiencing or is at
risk of abuse
observe the child and make written notes as soon as you begin to have concerns
pay attention to changes in their behaviour, ideas, feelings and the words they
use
have gentle, non-judgemental discussions with the child expressing your
concern that a child looks sad or unwell can result in disclosures
do not pressure a child to respond and do not ask questions that put words into a
childs mouth
assure the child that they can come and talk to you when they need to, and listen
to them when they do
remember that child abuse does not go away and usually becomes more serious
over time
seek expert advice by contacting the department

remember that not acting on a suspicion or disclosure may result in further harm
to the child.

If a child tells you they are being abused:

remain calm

do not express shock, panic or disbelief the child is counting on you to provide
calm reassurance that they are being listened to and heard

find a private place to talk

thank the child for coming to talk to you about it and recognise their bravery for
talking about something that may be difficult or embarrassing
be supportive, tell them that you believe what they are saying and thank them for
helping you to understand
be a listener not an investigator encourage children to talk in their own words
and ask just enough questions to act protectively, for example, can you tell me
more about that?
do not conduct any form of interview with the child

stress that what has happened is not their fault, for example, you are not in
trouble and if I look or sound upset it is because I want you to feel safe
be aware of your tone of voice and help the child make sense of what you are
feeling, for example, I am feeling concerned for you, or what we can do right
now is talk about ways to help you feel safe
act proactively, for example, I know some people do wrong things and it is up to
grown-ups to protect children , or every child has a right to be safe, there are
laws to help protect children
reassure the child that they have done the right thing by telling you, and that they
are not in trouble
do not make promises you cannot keep, such as promising you will not tell
anyone you need to tell someone in order to get help for the child
as a concerned community member you can contact the Department of
Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services and ask how best to respond
to the situation
do not contact the person responsible for the abuse, regardless of who that
person is leave this to the department or the police
keep information confidential only those who absolutely need to know should
be told at this point.

If a parent tells you that a child has been abused, but the person responsible no longer
has contact with the child, you should still contact the Department of Communities, Child
friendly or support organizations to help protect other children. You could also provide
information to the parent about where they can get help and advice.

Speaking out about child abuse

Confronting child abuse and neglect can be very difficult. Often people find it easier to
down play their concerns or avoid thinking about the possibility that a child may have
been harmed or be at risk of harm. This can leave a child unprotected and allow the
abuse or neglect to continue.
Why should you break the silence about child abuse?
Every child has the right to be protected by caring adults.

Abuse can affect a child for the rest of their life.

Think about how you may feel if you do not act to protect the child.

A child is never to blame for abuse.

If you suspect that a child has been abused it is better to report it, even if you are
not sure, rather than do nothing.
Trust your gut feeling, rely on intuition and speak out if you think someone is
abusing a child.
If the person responsible is a child or an adolescent, speaking up may enable
them to get help to address their behaviour.
If you do report abuse, the child will always remember that someone had the
courage to stand up for them and do something to protect them.
If a child has been abused, it is important for the family to reach out for help and
not isolate itself.

There are many organisations in the community that can provide services to help
children and families. Take some time to find out what is available in your community.
Communities need to do something about child abuse stand together, be strong and
break the silence. Stop protecting the person responsible for the harm and speak out
about child abuse.

Common concerns you may have when deciding whether to

report child abuse
The person responsible could be a relative or a well-known person in the
community.
If the person is related to you, it may put you in a difficult position. It is very important
that you talk to someone you can trust or someone outside of the family. It is also
important to access support services for yourself, to assist you through this difficult
situation.
You might feel that the problem could best be dealt with inside the family network
or by the community.
Sometimes the communitys response is to move the person responsible away from
where they live. The problem will not go away as they may go to another community and
continue to harm children. People who harm children need to get help so they can stop
this behaviour.
You do not want to make the situation worse for the family.
This is a realistic concern. It may seem that reporting your concerns will make things
worse for the family, organisation, community or the child. However, in the long run, you
could make the situation a whole lot better for a child who may not have anyone else to
protect them, or may be too scared and ashamed to report any harm.
The Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services works with
families to support them and help them care for their children. In many cases the child
can remain living at home as long as family members can keep them safe.
You may be concerned that the child will be harmed more if they are removed from
their family.
The department must work in the best interests of the child. Wherever possible, they will
work with and support the family to help them nurture and protect the child. In the
majority of cases, children are able to remain at home. With the provision of support, the

family may be able to keep their child safe and ensure their needs are met.
There may be times when a child is placed away from home if it is not safe for them to
remain in the family home. The department is committed to ensuring that children are
placed in caring and supportive environments.
You might be worried about a child but not convinced that they are being harmed.
It is not necessary for you to prove that the child has been harmed. The department is
responsible for investigating and assessing the risk of harm to the child.
You might be concerned that if you make a report you will have to give evidence in
court.
The majority of reports made are resolved without the need for an application for a child
protection order in the Childrens Court. If the case does go to court you may be asked to
give evidence. The department will support and help you through any court process.
You might be worried about a child from a cultural background you are not
familiar with, and be confused about the role of parenting and discipline within
that culture.
Child abuse and neglect is not appropriate or condoned in any culture. Cultural
sensitivity is an important consideration for the department when assessing reports of
harm, but harm to a child is never justified.
If an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child is involved, the department consults with a
Recognised Entity, which is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander individual or
organisation, recognised within their community, that provides cultural and family advice
in Indigenous child protection matters.
You might know the person who is responsible for the harm and do not want to
make it worse for their family.
This places you in a difficult situation, but think about what is more important
protecting a child or protecting the person responsible? The childs right to be safe and
protected is always the most important. The person responsible may have contact with
the police. This is not your fault, as it is a result of their own actions.
It may cause trouble between your family and the family of the person
responsible. It may also cause a lot of tension and stress within your own family if
the person responsible is a close family member.
It is sad that reporting child abuse sometimes causes families to fight and result in a rift
that may never be mended. However there may also be family members who will admire
you for having the courage to stand up for what you believe in, and for having done
something to protect a child from ongoing harm.
You might be afraid that you could be the victim of verbal or physical abuse if you
tell someone about a child that is being harmed.
This is a real concern for people who live in close-knit communities. Section 186 of the
Child Protection Act 1999 ensures that a notifiers details will not be disclosed by the
department or the Queensland Police Service, except in specific circumstances, for
example when ordered to do so by a court or tribunal.
In small communities, people can sometimes guess who has spoken to the department.
If you are worried about this, find a support network of strong minded people in your

community whose beliefs are similar to your own and who agree it is important to protect
children. It is very important for communities to put support mechanisms in place for
those people who are brave enough to report abuse.
You simply may not want to get involved or you may think it is none of your
business.
Protecting children from harm is everybodys business. Children cannot protect
themselves and it is the responsibility of government and communities to work together
to nurture and protect children.
You may feel that you do not know enough about the reporting or investigation
process or the options available.
Speak to officers from the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability
Services about the policies and procedures for responding to reports of child abuse.
Contact the departments regional intake service and ask them to send information about
the process to you.

Reporting child abuse

If you suspect a child has experienced harm, or is at risk of experiencing harm, there are
a number of agencies that can provide support and advice.
Child and family protection Unit of police
FIDA-Uganda and other child rights organizations
Justice centres
Justice for Children etc.

Making a report to the Department of Communities, Child Safety

and Disability Services
If a child tells you that they have been harmed, you witness a child being harmed or somebody
else passes on this information, or you believe that a child may be at risk of harm, remember to:
listen carefully

remain calm

record details

do not blame the child

believe and support the child

thank the child for telling you

do not make promises you cannot keep

only tell those who need to know.

Contact the above institutions or FIDA-U.

The institutions will gather information including the childs details and situation.
If a criminal offence has occurred, F IDA-U will work with the police during the investigation.
.FIDA will assess whether the information identifies that the child may be in need of protection.
If a crime has been committed the police may prefer charges.

If harm has been identified, FIDA-U will provide an appropriate response, which may include a
referral to a hospital or any child friendly services.
FIDA-Uganda will consider a range of appropriate options under the Child protection laws to
ensure the childs right to protection is exercised.

Confidential reporting
When a report is made to FIDA-U, the reporters identity and the information provided will
be kept confidential.

If you make a report and believe no action has been taken

If you have concerns about a childs situation after a report has been made:
contact the FIDA-Uganda secretariat or regional office you had initial contact
with to discuss your concerns further
if you are not satisfied with the outcome of this contact, ask to speak with the
regional manager
if you are still not satisfied, you can ask to talk to the overall manager, or lodge a
formal complaint with the department.
While every attempt will be made to resolve any complaints that arise.

Information for employees of organisations related to children or

child care
Every organisation that cares for children should have a policy on how best to respond
to suspicions or disclosures of child abuse.
The organisations policy should be directly, explicitly and repeatedly communicated to
staff and volunteers to ensure they are fully aware of, and understand how to manage
the process of reporting child abuse. Communicating an organisations commitment to
the policy sends a strong message to everyone involved in the organisation that harm to
children will not be tolerated.
If you work in an organisation and a child tells you they are being harmed, you should
immediately inform FIDA-Uganda.
As a staff member you do not need to prove that harm has actually occurred, your
responsibility is to notify your suspicion and the reasons for it.
You have reasonable grounds to take action if:
a child tells you that they have been harmed

someone tells you (for example, a sibling, relative, friend or neighbour) that a
child has experienced or is being harmed
a child tells you that they know someone who has been harmed

you have suspicions because of the childs physical or behavioural indicators.

Contacts
Other regional contacts