CHILD abuse is any act or failure to act by a parent or caregiver that results in actual or potential harm to a child. It can occur in a child’s home, organisation, school or community which the child interacts with.
Child abuse harms children and young people. It can occur when stress, information and support combine to make the pressure of caring for children overwhelming.
Some of the factors that contribute to the likelihood of harm include lack of support. This is when there is no family or friend, partner or community support to help with the demand of parenting.
Stress, financial pressure, job worries and medical problems, or taking care of a family member with a disability, can increase stress and overwhelm a parent.
Then there are the issues of unrealistic expectations, not understanding a or young person’s developmental stages and behaviour.
Parenting skills, knowing how to help children and young to people learn, grow and behave in a positive way, can help a lot.
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