Child abuse can result in immediate adverse physical impacts but it is
also strongly associated with developmental problems and with many chronic physical and psychological effects,
including subsequent ill-health, including higher rates of chronic conditions,
high-risk health behaviours and shortened lifespan (Cohn, 2011)
also strongly associated with developmental problems and with many chronic physical and psychological effects,
including subsequent ill-health, including higher rates of chronic conditions,
high-risk health behaviours and shortened lifespan (Cohn, 2011)
Impact of child abuse can be grouped into
1. Emotional impact
2. Physical impact
Emotional impact
Child abuse can cause a range of emotional impacts. Children who are
constantly ignored, shamed, terrorized or humiliated suffer at least as much,
if not more, than if they are physically assaulted. Abused children can grow up
experiencing insecurities, low self-esteem, and lack of development. Many
abused children experience ongoing difficulties with trust, social withdrawal,
trouble in school, and forming relationships (Thornberry, 2013).
constantly ignored, shamed, terrorized or humiliated suffer at least as much,
if not more, than if they are physically assaulted. Abused children can grow up
experiencing insecurities, low self-esteem, and lack of development. Many
abused children experience ongoing difficulties with trust, social withdrawal,
trouble in school, and forming relationships (Thornberry, 2013).
The impacts of abused children can also differ when it comes to babies
and young children. Babies and pre-school children who are being emotionally
abused or neglected may be overly-affectionate towards strangers or people they
have not known for very long. They can lack confidence or become anxious,
appear to not have a close relationship with their parent, exhibit aggressive behaviour
or act nasty towards other children and animals. Older children may use foul
language or act in a markedly different way to other children at the same age,
struggle to control strong emotions, seem isolated from their parents, lack
social skills or have few, if any, friends. Overall, emotional effects caused
by child abuse can result in long-term and short-term effects that ultimately
affect a child’s upbringing and development (Cohn, 2010).
and young children. Babies and pre-school children who are being emotionally
abused or neglected may be overly-affectionate towards strangers or people they
have not known for very long. They can lack confidence or become anxious,
appear to not have a close relationship with their parent, exhibit aggressive behaviour
or act nasty towards other children and animals. Older children may use foul
language or act in a markedly different way to other children at the same age,
struggle to control strong emotions, seem isolated from their parents, lack
social skills or have few, if any, friends. Overall, emotional effects caused
by child abuse can result in long-term and short-term effects that ultimately
affect a child’s upbringing and development (Cohn, 2010).
Physical impact
The immediate physical impact of abuse or neglect can be relatively
minor (bruises or cuts) or severe (broken bones, haemorrhage, or even death).
In some cases the physical effects are temporary; however, the pain and
suffering they cause a child should not be discounted.
minor (bruises or cuts) or severe (broken bones, haemorrhage, or even death).
In some cases the physical effects are temporary; however, the pain and
suffering they cause a child should not be discounted.
According to Kemp and Dunstan (2008), the long-term impact of child
abuse and neglect on physical health and development can be:
abuse and neglect on physical health and development can be:
- Shaken
baby syndrome. Shaking a baby is a common form of child abuse that often results
in permanent neurological damage (80% of cases) or death (30% of cases).
Damage results from intracranial hypertension (increased pressure in the
skull) after bleeding in the brain, damage to the spinal cord and neck,
and rib or bone fractures. - Impaired
brain development. Child abuse and neglect have been shown, in
some cases, to cause important regions of the brain to fail to form or
grow properly, resulting in impaired development. These alterations in
brain maturation have long-term consequences for cognitive, language, and
academic abilities. - Poor
physical health. In addition to possible immediate adverse physical
effects, household dysfunction and childhood maltreatment are strongly
associated with many chronic physical and psychological effects, including
subsequent ill-health in childhood, adolescence and adulthood
