Learn to recognize and understand emotional, physical, sexual, and verbal abuse. Explore warning signs, safety tips, trusted adult guidance, and recovery resources for children, teens, and families.
Introduction to understanding abuse
Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and cared for.
Unfortunately, some children and teens experience behaviors that are hurtful, frightening, or unsafe. Abuse can happen in different ways, and it isn’t always easy to recognize. Learning about abuse is one of the first steps toward staying safe and helping others.
Understanding abuse can help children, parents, educators, and caregivers recognize warning signs, encourage healthy relationships, and know when to seek help.
What Is Abuse?
Explain:
- Abuse is when someone intentionally hurts, controls, scares, or mistreats another person.
- Abuse is never the victim’s fault.
- Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect.
Types of Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Discuss:
- Put-downs
- Humiliation
- Ignoring
- Manipulation
- Controlling behavior
- Damaging self-esteem
Understand and recognize emotional abuse.
Physical Abuse
Discuss:
- Hitting
- Kicking
- Pushing
- Shoving
- Restraining
- Damaging belongings
- Threats of violence
Emphasize:
Everyone has the right to feel safe.
Understand and recognize the signs of physical abuse.
Sexual Abuse
Age-appropriate discussion:
- Unsafe touching
- Keeping unsafe secrets
- Being pressured into activities
- Sharing inappropriate pictures
- Body safety
- Saying “No”
Reinforce:
Your body belongs to you.
Understand and recognize sexual abuse.
Verbal Abuse
Discuss:
- Name-calling
- Threats
- Constant criticism
- Humiliation
- Yelling
- Insults
Remind children:
Words can hurt just as much as actions.
Understand and recognize verbal abuse.
Warning Signs
Children may experience:
- Feeling scared
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Withdrawal
- Difficulty sleeping
- Poor school performance
- Fear of certain people
- Loss of confidence
- Frequent crying
- Changes in behavior
Understand and recognize the warning signs.
What Should I Do?
If someone is hurting you:
- Tell a trusted adult.
- Talk to a parent, teacher, counselor, coach, or another safe adult.
- Keep telling trusted adults until someone helps.
- Call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
- Remember:
The abuse is never your fault.
For Parents & Caregivers
Discuss:
- Listening without judgment
- Believing children
- Taking concerns seriously
- Seeking professional help
- Creating a safe environment
- Reporting abuse when necessary
Understand that abuse is not your child’s fault.
For Teachers & Educators
Discuss:
- Recognizing behavioral changes
- Mandatory reporting responsibilities (without giving legal advice)
- Creating safe classrooms
- Encouraging trusted relationships
- Supporting students compassionately
Understanding the signs of abuse and taking action to stop it without judging the abused.
You Are Not Alone
End with a hopeful section:
Every child deserves to grow up feeling safe, respected, and loved.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, remember:
- You are important.
- You deserve kindness.
- Your voice matters.
- Help is available.
- Healing is possible.
Learn to recognize abuse and how to get help.
