What Is Abuse?

the Askios website

	Emotional Abuse   "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me! Remember that childhood chant? Big fat lie. In fact, while physical scars can heal, emotional abuse causes scars that last - invisible - well into adulthood. In emotional abuse, the weapon is often words. This is often the hardest type of abuse to face, because of all types of abuse, it leaves no visible scars, and survivors have a hard time accepting that what they went through constituted abuse. Answers to Common Questions About Emotional Abuse Bully Victims: Psychological and Somatic Aftermaths 8 Styles of Controlling Parents Emotional Abuse Effects Neglect in Childhood Self Esteem: The Greatest Gift You Can Give Your Child Types of Emotional Abuse Unsilencing Emotional Abuse You Carry the Cure in Your Own Heart

	Physical Abuse   Any physical act committed against a child, which results in a non-accidental injury, is termed physical abuse. It is often preceded by physical neglect. A neglected or ignored child will increase their attention-seeking behaviour, even if it only attracts negative attention. Children with special needs or disabilities are at greater risk of being abused because their needs put more of a demand on their parents. Parents who physically abuse their children, were often treated in a similar manner when they were young. Also, the chances of abuse increase if the child reminds the parent of a disliked relative. Some experts view slapping on the face as on par with sexual abuse, as the abuser is striking at the child's very identity. Also, hitting on the buttocks is harmful, as it is a highly sensitive zone in children, and these children can grow up associating pain with sexual stimulation. Abuse and Discipline: A Comparison Physical Abuse Common in Indian Children Physical Abuse Indicators Physical Abuse of Children: An Overview When Does Physical Punishment Become Physical Abuse? Why Punishment Does Not Work

	Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)   Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is any form of sexual behaviour committed by an adult or an older or more powerful child, with the intention of personal sexual gratification, regardless of whether or not the child agreed to or enjoyed the experience. Unfortunately, many people assume that if a child was not forcibly raped - perhaps "just" molested, that no harm was done, and their resulting indifference to the child's trauma can cause as much, if not more, damage than the sexual abuse itself. Female-perpetrated Sexual Abuse Frequently Asked Questions about Incest If You Have Been Sexually Abused Incest and A Family in Denial Mother-Daughter Sexual Abuse Pandora's Box: The Secrecy of CSA Sexual Abuse of Girls with Disabilities Sibling Sexual Abuse Warning Signs about CSA What is Incest?

General Information:

A Hard Look at How We Treat Our Children

Adult Survivors of Child Abuse: An Overview

Child Protection Guide

Childhood Trauma - by Alice Miller

Create A Family Safety Plan

Dysfunctional Families = Cultural Harvest

How Adults Can Survive a Childhood of Violence and Untruth

Understanding the Link Between Animal Abuse and Family Violence

What Is Childhood Trauma? by Bob Murray, Ph.D.

What is Stockholm Syndrome?

Click here to read more about the long-term impact of abuse