4.2 Identify different types of abuse and bullying

This guide will help you answer 4.2 Identify different types of abuse and bullying.

When working in a school or with children and young people, you must be aware of the different types of abuse and bullying. Recognising them early is key to protecting pupils and providing the right support. Children may not always speak out, so part of your role is to notice possible signs and follow safeguarding procedures.

Abuse can take many forms. It may be carried out by adults, peers, or even by someone the child trusts. Bullying is a specific type of harmful behaviour that is often repeated over time. Both abuse and bullying can have serious and long-lasting effects on a child’s physical and emotional health.

In this guide, we cover the main types you need to know about. Each can happen in isolation, or a child may experience more than one at the same time.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves causing physical harm to a child or young person. This may be by hitting, kicking, shaking, burning, poisoning, biting, pushing, or other physical force.

It can result in:

• Bruises, cuts, or burns
• Broken bones or other injuries
• Fear of going home or being around certain people

Some injuries may be hidden by clothing. This does not make them less serious. Children may also make excuses for the injuries or give explanations that do not match what you see.

Physical abuse can happen in the home, in public, or in institutions. It is never acceptable as a form of discipline.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse damages a child’s emotional development and sense of self-worth. It can be harder to spot because it may not leave visible marks, but the impact can be very damaging.

Emotional abuse may involve:

• Constant criticism
• Humiliation or shaming
• Ignoring the child’s emotional needs
• Isolating them from others
• Using threats or intimidation

A child experiencing emotional abuse may appear withdrawn, anxious, or fearful. They might have low confidence or show excessive approval-seeking behaviour in an attempt to avoid criticism. In some cases, emotional abuse is ongoing and part of wider neglect or physical abuse.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves forcing or persuading a child to take part in sexual activities. The child may be physically touched or exploited without physical contact, such as through exposure to sexual content or being asked to perform sexual acts online.

Sexual abuse can involve:

• Physical sexual contact
• Exposing the child to sexual acts or images
• Encouraging the child to behave in a sexualised way
• Grooming

Grooming is when someone builds trust with a child, their family, or community, with the aim of sexual abuse later. It can happen in person or online. Sexual abuse can be committed by adults or by other young people.

Signs may include a sudden change in behaviour, avoidance of certain places or people, age-inappropriate sexual knowledge or language, and self-harm.

Neglect

Neglect is the ongoing failure to meet a child’s basic physical and emotional needs. It is the most common form of abuse in the UK. It can cause serious harm and affect development.

Neglect may include:

• Not providing adequate food or clothing
• Not ensuring a safe living environment
• Lack of medical care when needed
• Failing to support a child’s emotional wellbeing or education

Children suffering neglect may be underweight, poorly dressed for the weather, have untreated health problems, or be regularly absent from school. They may seem tired, hungry, or unkempt.

Neglect can affect children at any age. Its impact can last into adulthood.

Online Abuse

Online abuse happens through the internet, social media, messaging apps, or gaming platforms. It can include many forms of abuse such as bullying, grooming, sexual exploitation, or exposure to harmful content.

Forms of online abuse:

• Sending abusive or threatening messages
• Sharing personal images without consent
• Encouraging self-harm
• Persuading children to share sexual images or videos

Online abuse can be harder to detect because it happens on personal devices. It may leave no physical signs. Children may be secretive about their online activity or use devices at unusual times.

Education on safe internet use and reporting concerns is an important part of safeguarding.

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

CSE is a form of sexual abuse where children are manipulated, coerced, or forced into sexual activity in exchange for things like gifts, money, status, or affection. It can happen through face-to-face contact or online.

Signs of possible CSE:

• Having unexplained gifts or money
• Absence from school
• Older friends or relationships with significantly older people
• Physical symptoms of sexual abuse

Children may not see themselves as victims, especially if they believe they are in a relationship with the abuser.

CSE often involves grooming as a first step.

Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)

CCE happens when children are manipulated, coerced, or forced into criminal activities. This can include drug trafficking, theft, or violence. An example is ‘county lines’, where children are used to move drugs from one area to another.

Signs include:

• Sudden possession of money, clothing, or items the child could not otherwise afford
• Frequent missing episodes
• Being found in areas far from home without clear reason
• Carrying drugs or weapons

Like CSE, CCE often starts with grooming to gain trust before exploitation.

Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse happens in the home, usually between adults in an intimate relationship. A child does not have to be directly physically harmed to be affected. Witnessing domestic abuse is recognised as a form of abuse itself.

Forms of domestic abuse include:

• Physical violence between adults in the household
• Emotional abuse, controlling behaviour, or threats
• Financial abuse where one person controls all resources

Children may display anxiety, aggression, withdrawal, or difficulties at school.

Bullying

Bullying is repeated behaviour intended to hurt another person, physically or emotionally. It can be carried out by one person or a group.

Types of bullying:

• Physical bullying: hitting, kicking, pushing, taking belongings
• Verbal bullying: name calling, insults, threats
• Social bullying: spreading rumours, excluding someone, encouraging others to isolate the victim
• Cyberbullying: sending abusive messages, sharing harmful images, creating fake profiles

Bullying often targets differences such as race, religion, disability, appearance, or sexuality. It can happen in person or online.

Peer-on-Peer Abuse

Peer-on-peer abuse is harmful behaviour between children and young people. It includes bullying but can also involve sexual violence, harassment, or exploitation. It might be dismissed as ‘just teasing’ but can cause serious harm.

Examples:

• Physical violence
• Coercive sexual activity
• Group intimidation or gang activity
• Emotional abuse and exclusion

Staff must take reports of peer-on-peer abuse seriously and follow safeguarding procedures.

Hate-based Abuse and Bullying

Hate-based incidents target a child because of their race, religion, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation. This type of abuse or bullying can be physical, verbal, or online. It causes deep emotional harm and can make children feel unsafe in school and the wider community.

Examples:

• Racial insults or slurs
• Mocking someone’s disability
• Using homophobic or transphobic language
• Excluding someone from activities because of who they are

Schools and staff have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to prevent discrimination and promote inclusion.

Institutional Abuse

Institutional abuse happens in settings like care homes, foster care, boarding schools, or other institutions. It can be physical, emotional, sexual, or involve neglect. It occurs when routines, systems, or norms in an organisation harm those in its care.

Signs may include:

• Lack of privacy or dignity
• Overuse of punishment or restraint
• Poor living conditions
• Withholding of basic needs

Institutional abuse can be from staff or other residents. It requires strong whistleblowing procedures to protect children.

Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII)

FII happens when a parent or carer fabricates or deliberately causes symptoms of illness in a child. This is a rare but serious form of abuse.

Examples:

• Providing false medical history
• Tampering with test results
• Deliberately harming the child to produce symptoms

Signs may be health problems that only appear in the presence of the carer, or repeated hospital visits for unexplained conditions.

Discriminatory Abuse

Discriminatory abuse targets a person’s differences. In children, this can occur both as bullying and as part of other abuse. It can be based on race, gender, disability, religion, or sexual orientation.

It may involve:

• Derogatory language
• Denying access to activities or services
• Harassment linked to personal characteristics

This kind of abuse undermines confidence and identity.

Recognising Overlaps

Abuse types often overlap. A child experiencing neglect may also be emotionally abused. Bullying can be part of peer-on-peer abuse. Online abuse can involve sexual or criminal exploitation. Knowing the categories helps you describe and report what you see, but your focus is always on the child’s welfare.

Responding to Suspected Abuse or Bullying

If you suspect abuse or bullying:

• Follow your school’s safeguarding policy
• Report to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) immediately
• Record your observations factually, without personal opinion
• Do not promise confidentiality to the child, but explain you must share the information to keep them safe

Never confront the suspected abuser yourself. The child’s immediate safety and correct reporting are your priorities.

Final Thoughts

Recognising different types of abuse and bullying is a key safeguarding skill. Each form can cause serious harm and affect a child’s development, learning, and relationships. Some signs are obvious, while others are subtle and require careful observation and knowledge.

As someone supporting teaching and learning, you have daily contact with pupils. You are well placed to notice changes in behaviour, appearance, or emotional state. By knowing the different types of abuse and bullying, you can act quickly by reporting concerns to the right person. This can stop further harm and help the child get the support they need.