Abuse Survivors Library
15 Articles About Child Abuse
i.e. abuse inflicted on a child (someone under 18yo) by an adult. It can be physical, sexual, emotional/verbal, or neglect.Child Abuse
Child abuse is a situation where an adult causes harm to a child, through action or through inaction. It's often perceived as a rare and horrific exception that's perpetrated by monsters. In reality, 73% of child abuse casualties are caused by neglect; mothers are involved in 70% of cases.Neglect
Neglect means failure to provide adequate care to the child in one's custody. It's by far the most common (and the most lethal) form of child abuse, yet the least spoken about.Physical Abuse
Physical violence is devastating to children because they are completely dependent on their abusers, and can't form an accurate understanding of their situation, which results in serious psychological trauma, sometimes life-long.Child Sexual Abuse
Any degree of sexual contact between a child and an adult is inappropriate and illegal, because children just can't cope with it; they're often ashamed, scared, and unsure what happened and whose fault it was. Sexual abuse is especially confusing when disguised as something else, e.g. medical procedures or punishment.Grooming
Grooming is the process of gradually entrapping a child, placing them in a position where they won't object to sexual abuse or tell anyone. It usually progresses through four stages described in this page.Making Sense of Pedophilia
For many abuse survivors, our first (and sometimes the only) source of information on pedophilia was the person who molested us. What they told us was a bizarre concoction of truth, lies, and delusions, that can be hard to sort through even once we reach adulthood.Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse of children is usually a part of any other type of abuse (e.g. physical, sexual, or neglect), and is mostly treated as an aggravating factor rather than a separate crime. It lacks legal definition, which makes it hard to address when it's the only type of abuse inflicted on a child.Covert Incest
another form of child abuse by parents, where incestuous relationship is emotional rather than physical.Korczak's Declaration of Children's Rights
classic text focusing on morality, empathy, respect, and boundaries, rather than basic material needs.The Blue Bull And The Lion
True story written by survivor of child sexual abuse and neglect, describing her thoughts on the subject back when the abuse was happening. No graphic details.Three Deaths of Grandma
true story written by a Fort Refuge member about her grandmother. Deals with child emotional abuse.Lax Lorraine and a Locker
True story of child abuse and neglect - and how adults who were trying to help made things worse by not thinking through consequences of their actions.My abuser and me: So much in common
Who knows without our tough beginnings (beginnings neither us deserved) how we would have developed...the sort of people we might have been. I suspect pretty similar.Letters To My Younger Self
I want you to know that, no matter how tough it now seems, and how hopeless and frightened you feel, you will get through it, you will dig deep and find and do what it takes to survive...to maintain your true essence.Info for Teens
Society cares about you, wants you to reach your full potential and turn out a happy, healthy, smart, responsible, well-adjusted individual. This is why we have laws in place to make sure you get what you need to do that. Read about your rights and how to reach out for help.
Child abuse is a situation where an adult causes harm to a child, through action or through inaction. It's often perceived as a rare and horrific exception that's perpetrated by monsters. In reality, 73% of child abuse casualties are caused by neglect; mothers are involved in 70% of cases.Neglect
Neglect means failure to provide adequate care to the child in one's custody. It's by far the most common (and the most lethal) form of child abuse, yet the least spoken about.Physical Abuse
Physical violence is devastating to children because they are completely dependent on their abusers, and can't form an accurate understanding of their situation, which results in serious psychological trauma, sometimes life-long.Child Sexual Abuse
Any degree of sexual contact between a child and an adult is inappropriate and illegal, because children just can't cope with it; they're often ashamed, scared, and unsure what happened and whose fault it was. Sexual abuse is especially confusing when disguised as something else, e.g. medical procedures or punishment.Grooming
Grooming is the process of gradually entrapping a child, placing them in a position where they won't object to sexual abuse or tell anyone. It usually progresses through four stages described in this page.Making Sense of Pedophilia
For many abuse survivors, our first (and sometimes the only) source of information on pedophilia was the person who molested us. What they told us was a bizarre concoction of truth, lies, and delusions, that can be hard to sort through even once we reach adulthood.Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse of children is usually a part of any other type of abuse (e.g. physical, sexual, or neglect), and is mostly treated as an aggravating factor rather than a separate crime. It lacks legal definition, which makes it hard to address when it's the only type of abuse inflicted on a child.Covert Incest
another form of child abuse by parents, where incestuous relationship is emotional rather than physical.Korczak's Declaration of Children's Rights
classic text focusing on morality, empathy, respect, and boundaries, rather than basic material needs.The Blue Bull And The Lion
True story written by survivor of child sexual abuse and neglect, describing her thoughts on the subject back when the abuse was happening. No graphic details.Three Deaths of Grandma
true story written by a Fort Refuge member about her grandmother. Deals with child emotional abuse.Lax Lorraine and a Locker
True story of child abuse and neglect - and how adults who were trying to help made things worse by not thinking through consequences of their actions.My abuser and me: So much in common
Who knows without our tough beginnings (beginnings neither us deserved) how we would have developed...the sort of people we might have been. I suspect pretty similar.Letters To My Younger Self
I want you to know that, no matter how tough it now seems, and how hopeless and frightened you feel, you will get through it, you will dig deep and find and do what it takes to survive...to maintain your true essence.Info for Teens
Society cares about you, wants you to reach your full potential and turn out a happy, healthy, smart, responsible, well-adjusted individual. This is why we have laws in place to make sure you get what you need to do that. Read about your rights and how to reach out for help.
This page was last updated on August 31st, 2020
© 2008-2022 Fort Refuge. Please don't reproduce without permission.
© 2008-2022 Fort Refuge. Please don't reproduce without permission.
Child Abuse (15)
Fort is a place where I can be comfortable admitting when things are really bothering me. I don't need my 'ok' mask here. Even when I've said things that didn't make sense to others, no one has ever made me feel 'wrong' or 'damaged', just asked for clarification. ~WeepingWillow
