What is Child Abuse?

Identifying and reporting child abuse

The harming (whether physically, emotionally, sexually), ill-treatment, abuse, neglect, or deprivation of any child or young person.

Section 2, Oranga Tamariki Act 1989

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is a non-accidental act on a child that results in physical harm.

Child Matters (2019), How Can I Tell?

What it means: when a child is deliberately physically harmed by a caregiver or another person.

What people might notice: changes in behaviour, heightened alertness, difficulty trusting adults, bruising, cuts, welts, burns.

Possible impacts: fear, anxiety, aggression, withdrawal.

Physical abuse also involves the fabrication or inducing of illness (Factitious Disorder)

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is a pattern of behaviour that controls, intimidates, or undermines a person’s emotional wellbeing, self-worth, or sense of safety, often without physical violence.

Child Matters (2025)

What it means: ongoing patterns that damage a child’s emotional wellbeing or self-worth.

What people might notice: excessive compliance, emotional withdrawal, self-criticism.

Possible impacts: low self-esteem, anxiety, strong fear of making mistakes, weight gain or weight loss, self-harm.

A child who is emotionally abused can be vulnerable to further hurt or abuse.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is any act or acts that result in the sexual exploitation of a child or young person, whether consensual or not.

Fanslow (2002)

What it means: when a child is involved in sexual activity they cannot understand or consent to.

What people might notice: emotional distress, withdrawal, behaviour that seems unusual for their age, damage or discomfort in genitals, STI, painful toileting, suck or bite marks.

Possible impacts: confusion, shame, anxiety, changes in behaviour, disclosure.