Showcase Magazine Winter 2026 - Flipbook - Page 8
SAFEGUARDING
Designated Safeguarding Officer:
Ellen Roberts
07715 658036
REVISE
AABBUUSSEE
ABOUT ABUSE
PHYSICAL
EMOTIONAL/
SEXUAL
Child abuse is any form of
maltreatment, whether physical,
emotional, sexual, or neglect. It is where
harm is inflicted or not prevented,
including witnessing domestic abuse,
and can be perpetrated by adults or
other children. The main types of child
abuse are physical, emotional, sexual,
and neglect, as well as exposure to
domestic abuse, online or technological
abuse, and, in some cases, peer or
institutional abuse.
Physical abuse is when a child is
intentionally harmed or injured through
actions such as hitting, shaking, burning,
or biting. It can also include giving a
child harmful substances, restraining
them, or causing injury in other ways.
Physical abuse may leave visible marks
like bruises or cuts, but sometimes the
harm is hidden, and its effects can be
long-lasting, impacting a child’s physical
health, emotional well-being, and sense
of safety.
Emotional abuse occurs when a child’s
emotional development and self-esteem
are harmed through constant criticism,
humiliation, intimidation, or rejection.
Unlike physical abuse, it may leave no
visible scars but can have severe longterm effects on a child’s mental health and
relationships. Sexual abuse is when a child
is involved in any sexual activity that they
do not fully understand or cannot consent
to, including touching, exploitation, or
exposure to sexual content. It can have
lasting effects on a child’s emotional,
psychological, and physical well-being.
NEGLECT
Neglect is the failure to meet a
child’s basic needs, such as
providing adequate food, clothing,
shelter, supervision, education, or
medical care. It can seriously
affect a child’s physical,
emotional, and social
development, often causing
lasting harm.
OTHER FORMS OF ABUSE
Child abuse can take many forms, including: affluent neglect (where children’s
emotional or developmental needs are ignored despite material wealth); exposure to
domestic abuse (as of 2021's Domestic Abuse Act); online or technological abuse;
child trafficking; child-on-child abuse; institutional abuse; financial or material abuse;
modern slavery; discriminatory abuse (based on race, religion, gender, disability, or
other factors); contextual safeguarding concerns (risks arising outside the family, such
as in schools, peer groups, or communities); extrafamilial abuse (harm from
individuals outside the family); sibling abuse; and both child criminal exploitation
(CCE) and child sexual exploitation (CSE). These forms of abuse can be subtle or
hidden but all have serious, long-lasting effects on a child’s physical, emotional, and
psychological well-being.
REMEMBER: Recognise, Respond, Report, Record.
｜
Showcase Training 8
