Child abuse may occur in many different forms. The different types of abuse can be sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and medical/physical neglect.



People who abuse children are "ordinary people" who may be suffering from personal problems and under too much stress. Many were abused themselves as children and think abusive behavior is normal and in a lot of cases the abuser is a parent or another family member.



Most children do not tell if they have been abused because they have been threatened, told that no one would believe them, may have been embarrassed by the abuse, may think they have done something wrong or they may be worried that the abuser won't love them anymore or hurt someone else in the family.

Some behaviors or personality changes that may be warning signs of abuse could include:

Depression
Aggression
Withdrawal
Bedwetting
Decline in school work
Low self esteem
Fear of being left alone with a particular person
Poor peer relations
Nightmares

REMEMBER, these symptoms MAY be warning signs and are not necessarily symptoms of abuse.