How to spot and prevent abuse

The 16 Days of Activism For no Violence Against Women and Children has started. People have been warned to prevent abuse of women and children. Many people commit abuse without realising it. Captain Piet Rossouw, communications officer at Vosloorus Police Station, gives the public some general abuse-prevention tips.

Child Abuse

Child abuse is generally defined as non-accidental injury, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, or trauma inflicted on a minor by a parent or other care-giver. Several social factors contribute to child abuse. The most common are:

1. Substance abuse

2. Economic abuse

3. Stress

4. Lack of family support network

5. History of abuse

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is an attempt to hurt or threaten, attack or control the victim. It may include the following:

1. Domination by the abuser

2. Intimidation which plays on the victim’s feelings of guilt

3. Abusive expectations – unreasonable demands

4. Name calling, shouting and swearing

5. Not taking the victim’s concerns seriously.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is the most visible form of abuse and may be defined as any act which results in a non-accidental trauma or inflicted physical injury (or death). It includes:

1. Hitting, beating or punching

2. Kicking, choking, biting or burning

3. Stabbing, shooting or using other weapons in violent action

4. Making threatening gestures, throwing something at someone that could hurt him/her

5. Abandoning the child in dangerous places to frighten and control him/her and his/her actions

6. Refusing to help a child when he or she is sick or injured

7. Raping a child.

Verbal Abuse

This is a form of emotional abuse, when the abuser abuses a child by calling him or her names, swearing at him or her and shouting at him or her. Verbal abuse takes the form of things said and done that destroy a child’s confidence or self-respect. Victims may be:

1. Called names and may be insulted

2. Constantly criticised and embarrassed in public

3. Threatened or even thrown out.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is an act or acts that results in the exploitation of any person for the purpose of sexual satisfaction and always takes place against the victim’s will and without his or her consent. It includes:

1. Any misuse of a person for sexual pleasure or gratification

2. Fondling or any other sexual contact or unwanted touching

3. Making of sexually demeaning remarks

HELP CENTRES

Child Toll-free National Line: 0800 055 555

Gauteng: 011 645 2000