Child Abuse and Neglect

Child abuse includes all forms of physical and emotional mistreatment, sexual abuse, and neglect of a child’s basic needs, which results in actual or potential harm to a child’s physical, mental, and emotional health. Exploitation of children is also a form of abuse and includes trafficking for sexual or economic purposes, and recruitment of children into armed forces.

An abused child may experience many forms of mistreatment in any one incident or over time; for example, emotional harm is a pervading factor in all types of abuse. The abuser may be a family member, a stranger, another child, or someone responsible for a child's well-being, such as a teacher or caretaker.

Children in every society are vulnerable to abuse, gender based violence, and exploitation, however children without parental care and those in high risk environments such as conflict areas, refugee camps, on the street, or in institutions, are particularly exposed to violence, denial of their basic human rights, and deprivation. All abuse has its origins in power imbalance and therefore is typically associated with fear, secrecy, and control. This makes identifying and speaking out about abuse very difficult for children, family members, the community and social services, particularly when it is committed within the privacy of the home.

Child abuse can cause physical and psychosocial problems, including HIV/AIDS infection, and is particularly damaging when repeated over a period of time. Children may manifest abuse via destructive or withdrawn behaviours, developmental delays, injuries or other health problems. The effects of abuse will vary from child to child and depend on the source, type and extent of the abuse, the child’s developmental stage and their disposition or resilience.

The process of identifying and responding to abuse requires skilled interventions in order to prevent further harm to the child, and will typically include police, medical, psychological, and social services in order to address the safety, physical, and emotional needs of the affected children. Any care plan must be in the best interests of the child and protect them and their siblings from harm. This will include consideration of the additional risks of abuse that are present for children in institutions and care placements. Such closed environments are extremely susceptible to abuse since they are frequently isolated, insufficiently regulated, and lacking in adequate supervision and safe reporting procedures. It is the role of social services to screen and monitor all child placements, including institutional, kinship, and foster care, to ensure the child’s safety and well-being.

It is the responsibility of the whole community to protect its children. Education and community awareness for children and adults on the risks, signs of abuse, and responses is vital for children without parental care and those in high risk situations, such as during a conflict or displacement when sexual violence, exploitation, and recruitment into armed forces are prevalent.

The literature in this section describes the types of abuse in more detail, including gender based violence, and provides example child protection procedures, policy papers, and other intervention tools.

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The Hidden Survivors: Care Leavers and the Unspoken Crisis of Sexual Abuse

Ruth Wacuka and Georgette Mulheir, 2025

This report examines the global sexual abuse and exploitation of care leavers, highlighting how systemic failures, both within institutions and during the transition to independence, leave young people vulnerable to harm, including cross-border trafficking and online exploitation. It calls for urgent action to strengthen safeguarding, ensure comprehensive aftercare, and create survivor-centered justice systems to protect care leavers’ rights, dignity, and long-term wellbeing.

High-Level Satellite Event at Global Ministerial Conference: Addressing Children’s Care as Integral to Global Efforts to End Violence Against Children

The Inter-Agency Working Group on VAC and Care, 06 Nov 2024

This high-level satellite event to the Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children took place on November 6, 2024, and brought together prominent speakers from across the world. The purpose of this event was to put a spotlight on the intersection between children’s care and violence against children. Watch the recordings of the event in English, Spanish or French.

When Numbers Demand Action: Confronting the Global Scale of Sexual Violence Against Children

UNICEF, 09 Oct 2024

This UNICEF publication presents the first-ever global and regional estimates of sexual violence against children. It narrates through numbers the tragic reality of sexual violence, amplifying victims’ voices.

Violence Against Children and Violence Against Women coexist and intersect in multiple ways

UNICEF, 01 Oct 2024

This infographic by UNICEF illustrates how violence against children and violence against women coexist and intersect in multiple ways, and can each have devastating and long-lasting impacts.

Working at the Intersections of Violence Against Children and Violence Against Women: Parent and Caregiver Support Programmes

UNICEF, 01 Oct 2024

A well-established and growing body of evidence demonstrates the multiple ways in which violence against children and violence against women intersect or overlap. This brief summarizes what is known about the potential for parent and caregiver support programmes to reduce both violence against children and violence against women, and why addressing these intersections matters for children’s protection and well-being.

From Care to Corrections: A Scoping Review of Pathways from Child Protection to Adult Criminal Justice Systems

Susan Baidawi, Danielle Newton, Philip Mendes, Jenna Bollinger, Jade Purtell, 15 Sep 2024

This scoping review identified and synthesized evidence from studies across the globe examining adult justice system contact among individuals who have experienced child protection system involvement (including placement in out-of-home care [OOHC]).

Substance Misuse by Birth Parents: Outcomes for Children and Young People Placed Into Out-of-Home-Care

Geoffrey Leggat, Emmanuel Kuntsche, Sandra Kuntsche, Prue Atkins, Anne-Marie Laslett, 23 Aug 2024

This study aims to examine how parental substance use affects outcomes of Australian children in out-of-home care, adjusting for key demographic, social and system factors.

Global and Inclusive Considerations for the Future of ACEs Research

Kafui Sawyer, Samantha Kempe, Matthew Carwana, Nicole Racine, 16 Aug 2024

This commentary discusses the limitations of the current Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) research and the need to also consider social and methodological aspects of adversity. The importance of considering protective factors is also discussed.

Advancing Protection and Care for Children in Adversity: A U.S. Government Strategy for Children to Thrive 2024–2029

USAID, 11 Jul 2024

The Thrive Strategy incorporates updated evidence on children in adversity and their needs, and considers the ongoing impact of global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, spotlighting the polycrisis that children in adversity and families are experiencing.

Receipt of Parenting, Disability, Unemployment, and Other Income Support Payments in Persons Aged 16 to 33 Years – The Associations with Child Maltreatment

Emmanuel S. Gnanamanickam , Leonie Segal , 11 Jul 2024

This study was based in Southern Australia and aimed to examine the association between child maltreatment and the receipt of income support payments and the budgetary impact for persons 16 to 33 years.