1 | 2 | 3 | 4

What Is Abuse?
Emotional Abuse
Physical Abuse
Sexual Abuse
What Is Harassment?
What Is Neglect?
How Common Are Abuse, Harassment & Neglect?
Emotional abuse: the damage is no less real

Your child is being abused when someone uses his or her power or position to harm them emotionally, physically, or sexually.

• Is a verbal attack on a child's self esteem by a person in a position of power, authority, or trust such as a parent or coach
  
  

• Occurs even if the attack is intended as a form of discipline or is not intended by the adult to cause harm
  
  

• Takes many forms, including any of the following:
  
  

  • Name calling ("Hey, Fatty!" or "Hey, Shorty" or "Hey, Mr. Klutz")
    
    

  • Threatening ("If you don't win, you can forget about me buying that new CD you want")
    
    

  • Insulting ("You're stupid" or "You're clumsy" or "You're an embarrassment to our family" or "You don't deserve to wear that uniform.")
    
    

  • Criticizing or ridiculing ("You are a loser" or "I thought you were better than that. I guess I was wrong.")
    
    

  • Intimidating ("Watch out kid, my son is going to break your nose")
    
    

  • Yelling at a child for losing or not playing up to the adult's expectations
    
    

  • Hazing
    
    

  • Questioning ("Why didn't you win?" or "How could you let that guy beat you?")
    
    

  • Shunning or withholding love or affection (not speaking to, hugging, or comforting your child after she plays poorly in a game or practice, or her team loses; showing obvious signs of disappointment)
    
    

  • Punishing a child for not playing up to your expectations or when her team loses

Back to Top

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

	State Background Check Regulations

Related Articles

 Preventing Harassment and Abuse In Youth Sports: What Parents Can Do
 Is Your Child's Coach A Sexual Predator?

Printer-friendly Version

Send MomsTeam Feedback