Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect

Child abuse and neglect can result in long-lasting effects throughout life. It can damage a child’s personality and mentality. It can prevent them from functioning at home or at school. Child abuse can also stop them from having a healthy relationship with others when they grow older. Myths tell us that most child abusers are strangers but that is not always the case. Most abusers are family members and this can result in a lack of trust and relationship difficulties. Abuse by someone who is supposed to take care of you can damage the most fundamental relationship as a child. Child will eventually have difficulties with trusting people.

Some severely neglected victims can feel like they are “damaged”. They will eventually feel like they are not good enough and this can destroy their hope of a good future. Their self-esteem will drop and may not strive for education or jobs as adults because they don’t believe they can do it.