This document provides statistics and information about childhood emotional abuse. Over half of children in the US and UK experience some form of neglect, including emotional neglect. Emotional abuse is also linked to other forms of child abuse. The document defines emotional abuse and lists common signs and symptoms. It also discusses prevalence of emotional abuse in Canada and Ontario, citing studies showing thousands of reported cases. Myths and facts about emotional abuse are presented, and prevention strategies are suggested, including supporting families, reporting abuse, and distributing educational materials.

1. Statistics
In the United States and England ? (Global
Prevalence) How To Get Help
More than half (61 percent) of the children
(771,700 children) were victims of neglect , Children’s Aid Society Of Toronto.
emotional neglect (193,400). Negligence is also http://www.torontocas.ca
directly related to child emotional abuse.
Another study of 44 percent were victims of
abuse (553,300 children), among them Boost Child Abuse Prevention.
emotional abuse (148,500 children). Just over http://www.boostforkids.org
1,500 children die each year in the United
States from child abuse, neglect
http://pediatrics.about.com/od/childabuse/a/05_ Children’s Mental Health Ontario.
abuse_stats.html http://www.kidsmentalhealth.ca
“In 1996, 15% of all registrations of
maltreatment in England were for
psychological maltreatment (Doyle, 1997).” Kids Help Phone , 1-800-668-6868,
http://www.child-abuse-effects.com/emotional- http://kidshelpphone.ca
abuse-statistics.html
Childhood
Public Health Agency of Canada,
Emotional Abuse
Emotional Abuse in Canada and Ontario
http://phac-aspc.gc.ca
(Local prevalence)
• “According to Health Canada 2001, 135,000
investigations over a three month period were National Child Traumatic Stress Network,
conducted. From these investigations, 60% were http://www.nctsnet.org
of emotional maltreatment and neglect cases
discovered by Child Welfare Agencies” (Health
Canada, 2001). Ontario Association Of Children’s Aid
• In another study by the Woman’s College Societies, http://www.ocas.ca
Hospital in Toronto, approximately 1,000
women 15 years of age or older were
interviewed. Among these women, 36% had Coalition For Children,
experienced emotional abuse while growing up; http://www.safechild.org
43% had experienced some form of abuse as
children or adolescent; 39% reported
experiencing emotional abuse during a Save The Children Canada, Prepared by: Ashley Arriola, Miriam
relationship in the past five year (Women's http://www.savethechildren.ca Wong, Tania Tazreen, Samira Salehi,
College Hospital, 1995).” http://www.child- Heejung Im, Lee Chloe.
abuse-effects.com/emotional-abuse-
statistics.html Aisling Discoveries Child And Family Center
http://www.aislingdiscoveries.on.ca

2. Myths and facts
What is Childhood Emotional
Abuse? Facts Myths
According to the National Centre on Child 1. Name calling or put downs are the most 1. Abuse is only when it is physical.
Abuse and Neglect, emotional abuse is common form of emotional abuse 2. Only bad people abuse thier children.
defined as “Acts or omissions by the parents 2. Emotional abuse is the hardest form of abuse 3. Abused children will be abusers when they
or other caregivers that have caused , or could
cause, serious behavioral, cognitive, to detect. are older.
emotional, or mental disorders” (Newton, 3. Witnesses to abuse can also be victims of 4. Most children that are abused bring it upon
C.J.) emotional abuse. themselves
4. Emotional abuse can happen in all families 5. Once neglect or abuse has been reported,
Sign/ symptoms of childhood rich or poor. the child is taken away.
emotional abuse 5. Abused children are more likely to be abusers.
symptoms : withdrawal from interaction ,
constant fear, anxiety ,extremes in behavior http://deal.org/the-knowzone/violence/emotional-abuse/ www.crcvc.ca/docs/child_abuse.pdf
(compliant, demanding, passive, and
aggressive), not attached to parent or caregiver
,caring for other children, inappropriately http://helpguide.org/mental/child_abuse_physical_emotion
infantile (rocking, thumb-sucking, tantrum). al_sexual_neglect.htm
http://helpguide.org/mental/child_abuse_physi
cal_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm Prevention strategies of child emotional abuse
signs : changes in behavior and school
performance, does not get help for physical or The child is emotionally abused not only through 1. Supporting programs that support families: “A
medical problems, has difficulty verbal assault, but is also caused by from physical support-group structure is needed to reinforce
concentrating, Is always watchful due to fear abuse, sexual abuse, negligence and domestic parent’s education, parenting skills and the
of something happening , no proper adult violence.
supervision, Goes to school early and stays substance abuse treatment programs for the
5. Understanding the problem: Emotional abuse is
back late, child does not want to go home. parents to save the children. Inform the parents
http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/s the continual use of any of the following by a
igns.cfm
to stop domestic violence, fighting and
parent or caregiver when interacting or
quarreling in front of children.”
disciplining a child:
“What are the Causes of http://www.medicinenet.com/child_abuse/pag
Emotional Child Abuse?” Lisa Rejecting ,Criticizing , Insulting , Humiliating , e8.html
Mooney states in her article that, “the causes Isolating , Terrorizing, Corrupting , or getting the 2. Reporting suspected abuse and neglect: to
of emotional abuse are varied, complicated child to participate in things against the law, Not police or call 911, or call children’s aid society of
and may be multiple in nature” (2008). responding to child emotionally.
This article presents 6 causal factors to Toronto.
Abuser’s www.boostforkids.org
emotional child abuse: 3. Providing resources, contact addresses, and
Childhood, Substance Abuse, Untreated 6. Understanding the causes: “ poverty,
pamphlets of Child and family welfare
Mental Illness, Stress, Inappropriate unemployment, divorce, sickness, disability,
Expectations, Absence of Parenting Skills. agencies.
substance abuse, drugs or alcohol addiction are
http://www.livestrong.com/article/273802- 4. Distributing brochures: Brochures should be
what-are-the-causes-of-emotional-child- more likely to abuse or neglect their children.”
available in local public libraries, community
abuse/March 6, 2012. http://pediatrics.about.com/od/childabuse/a/0
centers, clinics, mosques, churches, temple etc
5_prevnt_abuse.htm
to educate people and to raise awareness.