Types of Abuse

If you're worried about a child, it can be hard to know what to do. Click on the links for information and advice on different types of child abuse, how to spot the signs and what you can do to help keep children safe.

• Bullying and cyber-bullying
• Child sexual exploitation
• Child trafficking
• Criminal exploitation and gangs
• Domestic abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Female genital mutilation
• Grooming
• Neglect
• Non-recent abuse
• Online abuse
• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse

The experiences we have early in our lives and particularly in our early childhoods have a huge impact on how we grow and develop, our physical and mental health, and our thoughts, feelings and behaviour.

Adverse Childhood Experiences include:

• Domestic abuse
• Parental separation through divorce or separation
• A parent with a mental health condition
• Being the victim of abuse (physical, sexual and/or emotional) or neglect
• A member of the household being in prison
• Growing up in a household in which there are adults experiencing alcohol and drug use problems   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiMjTzCnbNQ

Child Sexual Exploitation

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a type of sexual abuse.  When a child or young person is exploited they're given things, like gifts, drugs, money, status and affection, in exchange for performing sexual activities.  Children and young people are often tricked into believing they're in a loving and consensual relationship.  This is called grooming.  They may trust their abuser and not understand that they're being abused.

Children and young people can be trafficked into or within the UK to be sexually exploited.  They're moved around the country and abused by being forced to take part in sexual activities, often with more than one person.  Young people in gangs can also be sexually exploited.

Sometimes abusers use violence and intimidation to frighten or force a child or young person, making them feel as if they've no choice.  They may lend them large sums of money they know can't be repaid or use financial aChild sexual exploitationbuse to control them.

Anybody can be a perpetrator of CSE, no matter their age, gender or race. The relationship could be framed as friendship, someone to look up to or romantic.  Children and young people who are exploited may also be used to 'find' or coerce others to join groups.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/child-sexual-exploitation/

Operation Encompass is a police and education early information safeguarding partnership enabling schools to offer immediate support to children experiencing domestic abuse.

Operation Encompass ensures that there is a simple telephone call or notification to a school’s trained Designated Safeguarding Lead prior to the start of the next school day after an incident of police attended domestic abuse where there are children related to either of the adult parties involved. 

Information is shared with a school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead prior to the start of the next school day after officers have attended a domestic abuse incident. This sharing of information enables appropriate support to be given, dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.

Female Genital Mutilation

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures involving the removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

Most often, FGM is practiced on girls and young women under 18.  FGM is not prescribed by any religion and has no health benefits.  On the contrary the practice can cause life-lasting physical and psychological trauma.

Child Criminal Exploitation

Child Criminal Exploitation (CME) is child abuse where children and young people are manipulated and coerced into committing crimes.

There are some signs to look out for if you’re worried a child or young person has joined a gang, or is being criminally exploited.  It might be hard to spot at first, but the sooner you’re able to talk to the young person the more you’ll be able to help them.

Fabricated Induced Illness

Fabricated or induced illness (FII) is a rare form of child abuse.  It happens when a parent or carer exaggerates or deliberately causes symptoms of illness in the child.

The parent or carer tries to convince doctors that the child is ill, or that their condition is worse than it really is.

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/fabricated-or-induced-illness/overview/

Child-on-Child Abuse

Child-on-Child abuse includes, but is not limited to:

• physical and sexual abuse
• sexual harassment and violence
• emotional harm
• on and offline bullying
• teenage relationship abuse

It can even include grooming children for sexual and criminal exploitation.

The Prevent Duty, published by the Government in 2011, is part of our overall counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST. The aim of the Prevent strategy is to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism by stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

As part of our safeguarding commitment, all staff and volunteers receive regular Prevent Strategy Training to gain the necessary skills to confidently protect the children within Westfield Junior School.

Private Fostering

Private fostering is when a child under the age of 16 (or under 18 if disabled) is cared for by someone who is not their parent or a close relative.

This is a private arrangement made between a parent and a carer, expected to last 28 days or more.

County Lines

County Line is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas [within the UK], using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of “deal line”. They are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move [and store] the drugs and money and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons.

County Lines is part of the wider issue of Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE).

https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/what-we-do/crime-threats/drug-trafficking/county-lines

Safer Recruitment

Safer recruitment is a set of practices to help make sure our staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children.  It is a vital part of creating a safe and positive environment and making a commitment to keep children safe from harm.

When appointing new staff at Westfield Junior School, at least one member of every interview panel is Safer Recruitment trained.