Physical abuse causes physical harm to a person. It may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, scalding, drowning or suffocating. It may be done deliberately or recklessly, or be the result of a deliberate failure to prevent injury occurring

Sexual abuse involves a child or young person being forced or coerced into participating in or watching sexual activity, looking at or being involved in the production or pornographic materials or encouraged to behave in sexually inappropriate ways. It is not necessary for the child or young person to be aware that the activity is sexual and the apparent consent of the child or young person is irrelevant.

Emotional abuse occurs where there is persistent emotional ill treatment or rejection. It causes severe and adverse effects on the child or young person’s behaviour and emotional development, resulting in low self-worth. Some level of emotional abuse is present in all forms of abuse.

Neglect is the persistent or severe failure to meet a child or young person’s basic physical and/or psychological needs. It will result in serious impairment of the child or young person’s health or development.