Your child is being abused when someone uses his or her power or position to harm them emotionally, physically, or sexually.Emotional Abuse
- Is a verbal attack on a child's self esteem by a person in a position of power, authority, or trust such as a parent or coach
- Occurs even if the attack is intended as a form of discipline or is not intended by the adult to cause harm
- Takes many forms, including any of the following:
- Name calling ("Hey, Fatty!" or "Hey, Shorty" or "Hey, Mr. Klutz")
- Threatening ("If you don't win, you can forget about me buying that new CD you want")
- Insulting ("You're stupid" or "You're clumsy" or "You're an embarrassment to our family" or "You don't deserve to wear that uniform.")
- Criticizing or ridiculing ("You are a loser" or "I thought you were better than that. I guess I was wrong.")
- Intimidating ("Watch out kid, my son is going to break your nose")
- Yelling at a child for losing or not playing up to the adult's expectations
- Hazing
- Negative questioning ("Why didn't you win?" or "How could you let that guy beat you?")
- Shunning or withholding love or affection (not speaking to, hugging, or comforting your child after she plays poorly in a game or practice, or her team loses; showing obvious signs of disappointment)
- Punishing a child for not playing up to your expectations or when her team loses.
