Discrimination Between Neglect and Abuse: Demonstrations, Classifications, Indications, and Resources
In our society, it is crucial to recognise and address instances of neglect and abuse, particularly for the vulnerable members of our community, including children and the elderly.
Neglect, a form of abuse, involves the failure to provide necessary care, leading to harm or risk of harm. It can take various forms, such as physical, emotional, educational, medical, and self-neglect.
Physical neglect is the disregard for a person's physical needs, like food, water, or shelter. Emotional neglect refers to the lack of nurturing, encouragement, or emotional support. Educational neglect is when a caregiver denies access to education or school participation. Medical neglect is the failure to provide required medical care and attention. Self-neglect is when a person does not take care of their basic needs to the detriment of their health.
Emotional (psychological) abuse comprises actions that harm a person's emotional wellbeing or sense of self-worth. Examples include threats, insults, rejection, harsh judgments, withholding love or support, or isolating the person.
Physical abuse involves causing bodily harm, such as hitting, kicking, shaking, choking, burning, or causing injuries like bruises, cuts, or broken bones. Sexual abuse involves any sexual activity forced or coerced upon a person, including contact or non-contact acts such as inappropriate touching, sexual acts, or exploitation through sexual images or talk.
Signs of neglect can include frequent complaints of hunger or thirst, signs of malnourishment, hygiene issues, untreated wounds, dental issues, or medical conditions. Emotional neglect is evident when someone does not provide love, emotional support, or guidance.
If a person suspects that they or someone they know is experiencing neglect or abuse, it is essential to seek help as soon as possible, especially if they are in immediate danger. In emergency situations, call 911 or the number of the nearest police department. If it is not an emergency, they can contact a helpline or organisation for advice and support, such as child protective services, the National Adult Protective Services Association, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, StrongHearts Native Helpline, or the police.
Neglect is often the most common form of maltreatment, accounting for 76.1% of confirmed cases of child abuse in the United States, according to data from 2020. A 2020 study reports that 21% of older adults self-reported experiencing at least one form of elder abuse, with 12% reporting multiple types.
It is essential to remember that neglect and abuse can have severe effects on a person's mental health, brain development, ability to form healthy relationships, ability or willingness to care for themselves or others, educational attainment, opportunities for employment, and risk of experiencing further abuse.
Recognising and addressing neglect and abuse is a vital step towards creating safer and healthier communities for all. If you suspect someone is a victim of neglect or abuse, please reach out for help. Together, we can make a difference.
| Type | Description | Examples | |--------------------|----------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------| | Physical Abuse | Inflicting bodily harm | Hitting, shaking a child; bruises or burns on elder | | Sexual Abuse | Sexual acts or exploitation | Sexual contact, inappropriate sexual talk or images | | Emotional Abuse | Psychological harm or neglect | Threatening, insulting, withholding affection | | Neglect - Supervisory | Lack of adequate supervision | Leaving child alone unsupervised | | Neglect - Physical | Failure to provide basic physical needs | No food, poor hygiene, unsafe shelter | | Neglect - Medical | Failure to provide medical care | Ignoring medical treatments | | Neglect - Emotional| Lack of affection or emotional support | Ignoring child's emotional needs | | Neglect - Educational | Denying schooling or education | Not enrolling child in school | | Neglect - Abandonment | Deserting a vulnerable person | Leaving elderly in hospital without care| | Self-Neglect | Elder unable to care for self | Poor hygiene, malnutrition | | Medical Child Abuse| Excessive/unnecessary medical interventions | Unneeded surgeries or medications |
[1] National Center on Elder Abuse (2020). Elder Abuse Facts. Retrieved from https://www.ncea.aoa.gov/ Elder-Abuse/Facts-and-Statistics/Elder-Abuse-Facts
[2] Child Welfare Information Gateway (2021). Child Abuse and Neglect. Retrieved from https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/responding/types/
[3] Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (2021). Child Abuse. Retrieved from https://www.rainn.org/articles/child-abuse
[4] National Association of Adult Protective Services (2021). Elder Abuse. Retrieved from https://www.nasapts.org/elders/elder-abuse
