Child abuse

What is child abuse?

Child abuse is the term used when an adult harms a child or young person under the age of 18.

Child abuse can take several forms - all of which can cause long-term damage to a child: physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and sexual abuse.

Bullying, racism and domestic abuse are also forms of child abuse and further advice and information can be found in alternative areas of our site.

Signs of abuse

The NSPCC says that a child may be experiencing abuse if he or she is:

• Crying constantly
• Frequently dirty, hungry or inadequately dressed
• Left in unsafe situations or without medical attention
• Constantly “put down”, insulted, sworn at or humiliated
• Seems afraid of parents or carers
• Severely bruised or injured
• Displays sexual behaviour which doesn't seem appropriate for their age
• Growing up in a home where there is domestic violence
• Living with parents or carers involved in serious drug or alcohol abuse

Voice your concerns

Don’t be afraid to voice your concerns to the Police, Children’s Social Care or the NSPCC - they are there to help you.

The majority of child abuse involves a family member or someone else known to the child.

Research by the NSPCC found that 72 percent of sexually abused children do not tell anyone about what happened at the time, and that 31 percent still have not told anyone by early adulthood.

If you have concerns about a child's welfare

If you have concerns about a child's welfare, or feel they may be being abused, you have several options:

Call the Police

Call Cheshire Constabulary on the non-emergency number 0845 458 0000

Contact children's Social Care

Contact Children's Social Care in the following areas:

Other helpful contacts

Childline

ChildLine is the free, confidential helpline for children and young people. Their number is 0800 1111.

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)

The NSPCC has a helpline for adults on 0808 800 5000 and the counsellors are all trained child protection officers.

Other helpful organisations