PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE
Psychological abuse is repeatedly treating and speaking to a child in ways that damage the child’s perceptions, memory, self esteem, moral development and intelligence. Some examples are:
- constantly belittling, shaming and humiliating a child
- calling the child names to minimise their self-worth
- threatening a child
- keeping a child isolated from other people or friends
- constantly ignoring a child
- encouraging a child to act inappropriately.
Possible signs of psychological abuse include when a child:
- feels worthless, unloved, unwanted
- feels dumb
- has difficulties remembering or recognising information
- has difficulties paying attention
- has difficulty knowing what actions are right or wrong
- is highly anxious.