Abuse and neglect

At HSR Psychology we provide support and therapeutic services for children and young people who have experienced abuse and neglect.

What are examples of abuse?

Abuse can include many different types of behaviours, but generally refers to any action by another person that causes harm to a child or young person. Abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, psychological or financial. Types of abuse include:

• Child sexual exploitation
• Controlling access to finances post-childhood
• Domestic abuse
• Emotional abuse 
• Female genital mutilation (FGM)
• Online abuse 
• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse

Abuse can be identified due to changes in behaviour or physical symptoms. 

What are examples of neglect?

Neglect is when a parent or carer fails to meet a child or young person’s basic needs. For example, leaving a child unclean, without suitable shelter, clothing, supervision and medical care. Neglect can be physical, emotional, educational and medical. Neglect can cause very serious, long-term damage for children and young people who experience it. There are multiple ways a child or young person can be neglected, some of which are:

• Failing to adequately feed or clean a child or young person 
• Failing to provide a child or young person with adequate clothing, shelter, supervision
• Not providing appropriate medical or health care including dental care, refusal of care or ignoring medical recommendations
• Not showing a child or young person care, love or attention required from a caregiver 
• Putting a child or young person in danger 
• Failing to protect a child or young person from physical or emotional harm 
• Failing to ensure a child or young person receives an education 

Neglect can cause severe damage to a child’s long-term physical and mental wellbeing.

What are the effects of abuse and neglect?

Following abuse or neglect, children and young people may experience difficulties with the following:

• Brain development
• Physical development
• Physical health
• Mental health
• Relationships and attachment
• Risk-taking behaviour
• Safety

Signs of abuse and neglect may include:

• Withdrawal and isolation
• Sudden behaviour change e.g more anxious, clingy, depressed, aggressive
• Problems sleeping
• Eating disorders
• Elimination disorders
• Risk taking behaviours
• School avoidance 
• Changes in eating habits
• Obsessive behaviour
• Nightmares
• Substance misuse
• Self-harm
• Suicidal thoughts

When the child or young person has experienced repeated abuse or neglect over a certain period of time their responses may present very differently. This may be referred to as ‘complex needs’. If a child or young person is experiencing one of the signs above, this does not necessarily mean they are being neglected or abused, as there can be multiple causes of the above.