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.