Possible Outcomes for the victim

All abuse is harmful. You should also bear in mind that one event may seem insignificant to an outsider but it may be part of a pattern of abuse.

The more frequently and severely someone is abused the greater the damage. The greater the esteem in which the child or young person holds the abuser, such as a parent or authority figure, the greater the damage. The more vulnerable the child or young person, because of age or development, the greater the damage. The more isolated the child or young person is the greater the damage. The quieter a community is about child abuse, the greater the damage.

Victims of abuse can experience shame, fear and confusion. They may blame themselves. They may find it difficult to trust other people, particularly those in authority. They may be silent for a long time. They may deny or repress the events. 

Child abuse may result in many different things for the victim, including:

  • rejection of God
  • loss of trust in people
  • self-blame
  • inability to form positive relationships and difficulty with love and trust
  • physical injury
  • developmental injury
  • criminal behaviour, including juvenile crime and violence
  • mental health problems, including depression, anxiety and suicide
  • drug and alcohol problems
  • self harm
  • eating disorders
  • depression and other psychological and psychiatric disorders
  • negative impacts upon brain development

Domestic violence also results in negative outcomes for children and young people, regardless of whether it is directed at them or at another member of their family. Domestic violence can involve any of the four forms of abuse performed by one or more member of a family towards another member of the family. Children and young people are affected when they live with domestic violence because they fear for their own safety and the safety of someone they care about. They are also at risk of injury and can learn inappropriate behaviours that result in their becoming abusive themselves.

However, it is important to realise that many abused children and young people develop great personal strength, and that they do not necessarily become violent or abusers themselves.