Manitoba Family Services and Labour

What types of abuse are there?

The types and signs of abuse are:

Neglect is failure to provide care to a child. The lack of care can cause serious harm to a child's mental and physical development and or put the child in danger.

 Physical neglect is failure to give the child his/her basic daily needs, including failure to provide:

• proper food/nutrition
• proper clothing
• safe, clean shelter
• health/medical care
• protection from harm

 Emotional neglect is the failure to meet the child's ongoing emotional needs for:

• affection
• a sense of safety
• a sense of belonging

Some behavioural signs of neglect could include but are not limited to:

• frequent absence from school
• inappropriate clothing for the weather
• dirty clothes
• inappropriate acts or delinquent behaviour
• abuse of alcohol/drugs
• begging / stealing food
• frequently tired
• seeks inappropriate affection
• mature for their age
• reports of being left alone

Some physical signs of neglect could include but are not limited to:

• poor hygiene
• unattended physical or medical needs
• consistent lack of supervision
• underweight, poor growth, failure to thrive
• constant hunger
• dirty clothes
• under nourished

Emotional abuse is usually a repeated pattern that includes:

• repeated exposure to alcohol or drug abuse
• repeated verbal attacks, humiliation or rejection
• repeated exposure to violence or fighting
• forced isolation, restraint or causing fear

Some behavioural signs of emotional abuse could include but are not limited to:

• depression
• withdrawal or aggressive behaviour
• overly compliant
• too neat and clean
• habit disorders (sucking, biting, rocking, etc.)
• learning disorders
• sleep disorders
• unusual fearfulness
• obsessive compulsive behaviour
• phobias
• harming themselves
• extreme behaviour
• suicide attempts
• developmental delays

Some physical signs of emotional abuse could include but are not limited to:

• bed-wetting
• headaches
• nausea
• speech disorders
• lags in physical development
• disruptive behaviour

Physical abuse can be a single incident or repeated pattern including:

• the intentional use of force or pain on any part of a child's body
• any contact or action that causes physical injuries

Some behavioural signs of physical abuse could include but are not limited to:

• inconsistent explanation for injuries or cannot remember
• wary of adults
• flinch if touched unexpectedly
• extremely aggressive or extremely withdrawn
• feels deserving of punishment
• apprehensive when others cry
• frightened of parents
• afraid to go home

Some physical signs of physical abuse could include but are not limited to:

• injuries not consistent with explanation
• numerous injuries in varying stages of recovery or healing
• presence of injuries over an extended period of time
• facial injuries
• injuries inconsistent with the child’s age and developmental phase

Sexual abuse is exposing a child to sexual contact, activity or behaviour, including:

• any sexual touching
• intercourse, exploitation or exposure

Some behavioural signs of sexual abuse could include but are not limited to:

• sexual knowledge or play inappropriate to age
• sophisticated or unusual sexual knowledge
• prostitution
• poor peer relationships
• delinquent or runaway
• reports sexual assault by caretaker
• change in performance in school
• sleeping disorders
• aggressive behaviour
• self-harm (ex. cutting, suicide attempts)

Some physical signs of sexual abuse could include but are not limited to:

• unusual or excessive itching in the genital or anal area
• stained or bloody underwear
• pregnancy
• injuries to the vaginal or anal areas
•  sexually transmitted infections
• difficult walking or sitting
• pain when peeing
• vaginal/penile discharge
• excessive masturbation
• urinary tract infections

If you think a child is being harmed or neglected, please contact your local Designated Intake Agency or local police agency. 

If this is an emergency, please call your local emergency police number.