What is it?

Child emotional and psychological abuse refers to behaviors, and actions of caregivers and parents who have negative emotional effects on the child’s life and impairs the child’s emotional development and sense of self worth. Emotional abuse may include name calling, insults, threatening violence, and even withholding love, support or guidance. Children may show signs of abuse. These signs may include being afraid of a parent, saying they hate a parent, talking badly about themselves, seeming emotionally immature, exhibiting sudden changes in speech such as stuttering and experiencing sudden behavior changes. If suspecting child abuse, it is important to call for help. One option is to call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453).