On this page: What is abuse? | What is child abuse? | Physical Abuse | Sexual Abuse | Emotional Abuse | Neglect | Allegations Managers
What is abuseEvery child or young person has a right to be cared for in a way that does not harm his or her physical or emotional well being or development. It does not matter if they are living at home, independently, are in further education, a member of the armed forces, in hospital, prison or a young offenders institution. Parents or caregivers who have children and young people living with them have the responsibility of providing for them and preventing abuse so they are kept safe and healthy until the age of 18 (unless they marry before their eighteenth birthday). Need to talk to someone?
To speak to a social worker call 020 8871 6622, Or 020 8871 6000 outside of normal office hours (after 5pm weekdays or on weekends). In an emergency call the Police on telephone number 999. In addition, children have a right to be protected from maltreatment by anyone else whether it is members of their family, friends, acquaintances and strangers. This includes other children and young people and any professional with whom they may come into contact. What is child abuse?Child abuse is harm done to anyone up to the age of 18 either by a family member, someone else known to them or, very rarely, a stranger. Children can be abused in their own home, in another person's home, in a community setting or in an institution, such as a children's home or educational setting. The abuser may be an adult, adults, another child or children.There are four main types of abuse: physical, sexual, emotional and neglect. Some of the forms in which they are inflicted are detailed below. It can be inflicted intentionally and someone may know that the abuse is taking place but they choose not to stop it from happening. This is wrong. If you know about a child or young person being abused you must tell someone so that the abuse can be stopped. Physical abuse
On rare occasions parents or carers may either make up symptoms or try to make a child ill by inducing symptoms. This is known as 'Fabricated Illness' or 'Induced Illness'. Sexual abuse Sexual abuse may involve touching a child or young person's genital areas, making them touch someone else's, involving them in the production of pornographic material, making them watch sexual material or behaviour, or making them do sexual things either to themselves or with other people. Emotional abuse Emotional abuse can be inflicted in a number of ways, for example:
In contrast, it can also be caused by suffocating love which may exhibit itself by preventing them being involved in normal activities that are age appropriate, such as going out or mixing with other people. This could be either because the caregiver is over protective and anticipates danger in normal social activities; or wants to reduce their social contacts in order that the child remains dependent on them. Neglect All children and young people should feel confident that their physical needs will be provided for until they are adults. This includes the provision of:
Allegations ManagerPlease see the list for the contact details for the Allegations Managers of the various partner agencies of WSCB. If you have a concern or need to report an allegation relating to a member of staff, contractor or volunteer, please contact the appropriate Allegations Manager for the agency that that member of staff or volunteer works for. If you do not know who the Allegations Manager is, you could contact the Council's Safeguarding Standards Unit and seek some advice or consultation from one of the Child Protection Co-ordinators. Click here for the Safeguarding Standards Unit's contact details. |
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