ABSTRACT

Child abuse can cause adverse physical outcomes (death, injury), psychiatric, psychological and behavioural disorders (persisting into adulthood) may ensue, together with developmental delay, growth

retardation and failure to thrive. Increased drug and alcohol misuse and self-injurious behaviour are also observed. There is also a clear increased risk of children who have been abused, becoming abusers themselves as adults. The risk factors for abuse can be classified according to the children themselves (e.g. behavioural issues, being adopted), parents (e.g. drug, alcohol or mental health issues, domestic violence) and environmental and social factors (e.g. poverty, unemployment, single parent). For many children, multiple predisposing factors for increased risks of abuse are present.