The concepts of abuse and neglect, which we have heard frequently lately, are usually confused and used interchangeably. Child abuse can be defined as active actions directed at the child by parents or other adults responsible for the child's care, which hinder or adversely affect the child's development. On the other hand, neglect can be defined as passive behaviors that negatively affect the development of the child. It includes the constant failure to supply the physical or psychological needs of children. The results of the study show that although the abusers or neglecters are sometimes within the family and sometimes outside the family they usually consist of adults that the child knows.
Types of abuse can be grouped as physical, sexual and emotional, while types of neglect can basically be grouped as physical and emotional. Physical abuse is the physical harm of children from their caregivers and the deterioration of their bodily integrity. Sexual abuse is defined as an adult using children as a tool for their sexual needs and desires. On the other hand, emotional abuse is defined by the adults in the environment as emotional actions that harm and prevent the development of the child (inflicting verbal violence on the child, giving a nickname, etc.). The common feature of all abuses is that they are harmful to the development of the child and involve active actions.
Physical neglect manifests as the inability to supply the physical needs of the child or the inability to take care of the child adequately (inadequate feeding, dressing, hygiene or care…). Emotional neglect is considered as the inability to supply the emotional needs of the child. Among all these, although emotional abuse and neglect are very common, it is the most difficult type of abuse and neglect to be noticed, recognized and proved, until they do not cause a physical trace. In terms of its effects, it is known to have long-term negative effects at least as much as other types of abuse and neglect.
In terms of abuse and neglect, some risk factors have been identified in studies. These risk factors are individual (being an unwanted child, mental/physical disability, being a hyperactive or difficult temperament child…), familial (being a single parent, inexperience, young age, lack of education, being abused as a child, lack of social support, difficulties in anger control…) and social (gaps in laws, social inequalities, acceptability of violence in that society, cultural norms and media culture…) factors.
Education is at the forefront of what needs to be done in order to prevent abuse and neglect and to protect children. In this regard the following can be done: Inform children and adults, work to raise awareness, teaching children to define 'private space' and how to protect their 'private space', respecting the child's private space in home and supporting this with behaviors and educating parents in positive discipline attitudes. When behavior that raises suspicion of neglect or abuse is observed in children, it is important to trying to gather information on this topic by appropriate means, get support from a child and adolescent psychiatrist to interview and evaluate the child, in case of doubt, notify the situation to the necessary authorities. Since it is very important to prevent the current negligence-abuse situation, providing the necessary support for the child's development and to contribute to the development of the child's concept of justice, with the results to be obtained through legal means.
