Children are more likely to be abused by someone they know and trust.
A perpetrator can be an adult or a child, a family member, childcare provider, friend, or neighbor. Child abuse can happen anywhere a child is at any time, and occurs in all age groups, races, socioeconomic backgrounds.
To understand what child abuse is, it is first helpful to understand what all children need.
What do all children need to be healthy and happy?
Children need consistent emotional care and supervision, as well as reassurance that they are safe, protected, and heard. Children require medical treatment if they are hurt, and need to be watched by someone who is looking out for their best interests.
Child abuse includes sexual, physical, and emotional abuse as well as child neglect. The different types of abuse have different definitions, signs and symptoms, and a child may experience multiple forms of abuse at once. The Kane County Child Advocacy Center investigates reported cases of child sexual abuse and severe child physical abuse cases in Kane County.
To learn more about the different types of child abuse and neglect, and how to recognize the signs and symptoms of abuse in children, please view the information and information and the resources in the dropdowns below.
All information is credited to Prevent Child Abuse Illinois (PCA).
All child abuse and neglect are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) which have complex and varied psychological effects on a child's developing brain. ACEs also include witnessing or violence or experiencing the traumatic death of a family member.
ACEs have been shown to lead to higher chances of substance abuse, mental health problems, and instability. After experiencing trauma, the body and the brain do everything to survive and get back to “normal" life. Care must be taken to address the initial traumatic event, acknowledge any shame or fear, and reduce the chances of future victimization.
This video is credited to the CDC, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services