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If you’re a victim of child abuse, it’s common to keep quiet and think you’re alone. However, it’s a more common occurrence than you may initially think. The Crime Survey for England and Wales conducted a study that estimated that 1 in 5 people experience a form of child abuse before the age of 16.
Suppose you’re a victim of child abuse, or you know a victim. In that case, it’s essential to report the crime to the police and get in touch with an organisation like Victim Support. Victim Support can provide confidential victim support.
If you’re facing a criminal charge, make sure you contact our solicitors as soon as possible on 020 3007 5500.
What is child abuse?
In short, child abuse is when anyone under the age of 18 is not being looked after correctly or facing harm. There are four primary forms of child abuse, which include:
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Neglect
This article will explore these areas and give key examples to help identify child abuse.
Sexual child abuse.
There are two separate types of child sexual abuse. These are as follows:
Contact abuse
This abuse involves some form of sexual physicality, including (but not limited to):
- Using a body part to rape or penetrate a child.
- Touching any part of a child’s body sexually, regardless of whether the child is clothed.
- Making a child partake in sexual activities.
- Forcing a child to undress or touch someone else.
- Grooming a child.
Non-contact abuse
This abuse involves exposing a child to sexual content. Some examples are:
- Showing a child pornography.
- Making a child masturbate.
- Forcing a child to take part in, view or share sexual images or videos.
- Making, viewing or sharing sexual images or videos of children.
- Exposing or flashing a child.
- Teaching or encouraging a child to behave in a sexually inappropriate way.
- Forcing a child to watch a sexual act.
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Physical child abuse.
Physical abuse occurs when someone physically harms a child or young person intentionally. Examples of this include:
- Hitting with hands or objects
- Slapping and punching
- Kicking
- Shaking
- Throwing
- Burning and scalding
- Biting and scratching
- Breaking bones
- Drowning
- Choking
Emotional child abuse.
Emotional abuse comes in multiple ways. The impact of the abuse can have a dramatic effect on a child’s life. For example, emotional abuse can harm a child’s self-confidence or how well they fit in at school.
Forms of emotional abuse include:
- Making a child feel unloved or worthless.
- Unfairly blaming a child.
- Cyber-bullying a child.
- Making a child feel frightened.
- A child witnessing the abuse of others. For example, a child witnessing domestic violence.
Neglect.
Neglect is when a child’s basic needs are persistently not met by their parent or guardian.
These basic needs include:
- Adequate food, clothing and shelter.
- Protection against both physical and emotional harm or danger.
- A good amount of supervision. For example, not leaving the child home alone.
- Providing a child with access to appropriate medical care. For instance, dental treatment.
What is the sentence?
The sentence for child abuse depends on various factors, such as the type and severity of the offence.
In a circumstance where serious physical harm occurs to the child, the offence carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years alongside a fine.
How can Britton and Time Solicitors help?
If you’re facing a criminal charge, make sure you contact a solicitor as soon as possible to ensure you don’t make any avoidable yet costly mistakes. In any criminal defence case, our solicitors can support you with the following:
- Representation during questioning
- Guidance on whether you should consider taking a plea deal
- Making applications for bail
- Preparing your case for trial
- Representing you in court
- Creating appeal applications, where necessary
If you’re facing a charge and want to talk to a solicitor, send us an email via [email protected] or give us a call on 020 3007 5500.
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