Types of Abuse

Types of abuse

Abuse is any form of serious maltreatment of a child and as such the list below is not exhaustive. Also abuse, neglect and safeguarding issues are rarely standalone events that can be covered by one definition or label. In most cases, multiple issues will overlap with one another.

Safeguarding action may be needed to protect children and learners from:

• neglect
• physical abuse
• sexual abuse
• emotional abuse
• bullying, including online bullying and prejudice-based bullying
• racist, disability and homophobic or transphobic abuse
• gender-based violence/violence against women and girls
• radicalisation and/or extremist behaviour (more information below)
• child sexual exploitation and trafficking or CSE (more information below)
• the impact of new technologies on sexual behaviour, for example ‘sexting’ and accessing pornography
• teenage relationship abuse
• substance misuse
• issues that may be specific to a local area or population, for example gang activity and youth violence
• domestic violence
• female genital mutilation or FGM  (more information below)
• forced marriage
• fabricated or induced illness
• poor parenting, particularly in relation to babies and young children
• other issues not listed here but that pose a risk to children, young people and vulnerable adults.

If you have any concerns about staff and/or students at Oak Wood School, please contact Mr B Jane (bjane@oakwoodschool.uk).