Types of Abuse
This section provides information about the different types of abuse that can occur in society, including sporting environments.
Sport and physical activity can offer a number of benefits. It provides an opportunity for participants to develop valuable skills and qualities, such as teamwork, leadership and confidence, and it can also provide opportunities for enjoyment and achievement. Everyone has the right to be safe and free from harm when they take part.
Unfortunately there is evidence that child abuse does occur within society, including within sports settings. Child abuse occurs when someone causes harm to a child or young person, and the different forms can be categorised as follows:
- Physical abuse: this includes hitting, kicking, shaking or punching, or giving children alcohol or inappropriate drugs.
- Neglect: this is failing to meet a child’s basic needs, such as providing them with food, shelter, warm clothing etc. It also includes leaving children alone or unsupervised.
- Emotional abuse: this includes threatening children and insulting them.
- Sexual abuse: this includes sexual intercourse, touching children in an inappropriate way, or showing them sexual pictures or videos.
- Bullying: this includes deliberate, hurtful behaviour, usually repeated over a period of time.
Abuse creates all sorts of confusing feelings and emotions, including feeling frightened, alone, confused, angry, unloved, guilty or ashamed. Often a child may not realise that they have been abused, or if they do, they may feel that somehow it’s their fault.
