Statistics about Abuse and Discrimination

Abuse is so common that it happens every day to thousands of adults and children around the UK. Abuse can be physical, emotional or sexual and is characterised by actions of an individual that could potentially damage another person. Many sufferers of abuse are scarred emotionally and sometimes physically for the rest of their lives and find it difficult to seek help. This is usually because they blame themselves or feel embarrassed about what has happened. The information below provides statistics about abuse, showing just how often abuse occurs.

Physical and sexual abuse/violence

As at March 2002, there were around 25,700 children on child protection registers in England, with slightly more boys than girls. The type of abuse was similar for each of the sexes, apart from sexual abuse. Sexual abuse accounted for 13 per cent of girls on the register, compared with 8 per cent of boys. [34]

Studies have found that almost half of psychiatric inpatients have histories of physical and/or sexual abuse. An Australian study of people who were sexually abused in childhood showed that, compared to the general population, they had had significantly higher rates of psychiatric treatment (12.4 per cent, compared to 3.6 per cent). Rates were higher for childhood mental health problems, personality disorders, anxiety and acute stress disorders, and major mood disorders, but not for schizophrenia. The incidence of personality disorder was five times higher in people who had been abused. There was no apparent association in this study between child sexual abuse and subsequent alcohol- and drug-related disorders. Male victims were more likely to have had treatment than females (22.8 per cent, compared to 10.2 per cent). [35]

A study of suicide and self-harm among young prisoners showed that they were more likely to have been sexually abused as children, compared to a group of prisoners who had not attempted suicide or self-harmed. [36] This suggests a powerful connection between childhood sexual abuse and later self-injury or suicide.

Reports highlight the vulnerability of disabled children to physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Surveys by the NSPCC [37] remind people that, contrary to the assumption that disability protects children from abuse, children with great dependency needs and limited communication skills are at risk of abuse, particularly from their carers.

Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse tends not to be addressed with the same urgency as physical abuse of children, but early intervention is necessary to avoid long-term consequences for the emotional health of the child.

For the purposes of child protection, the Department of Health uses the following definition of emotional abuse: "…the persistent emotional ill-treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. It may involve causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of ill treatment of a child, though it may occur alone." [38] Gabarino puts forward five types of damaging behaviour: rejecting, isolating, terrorising, ignoring and corrupting. [39] These have been expanded by subsequent writers on the topic, but remain the core issues.

Research suggests that emotional abuse is associated with parents who are alcoholic or abuse street drugs or other substances, with parents who have depression, in families where there is domestic violence, and among children with physical disabilities and their siblings.

Because it is invisible, emotional abuse is the most insidious and under-recognised form of child abuse. Emotional abuse occurring alone accounts for the smallest number of cases on child protection registers. The percentage of children registered for emotional abuse rose from 16 per cent of children on the registers in 1997 to 18 per cent in 2001. [40] Surveys by the NSPCC suggest that the true incidence would make emotional abuse the commonest form of maltreatment, rather than the least common. [41]

(Statistics from Mind.org.uk)

Research has shown that many of those who abuse others have been victims of some sort of abuse themselves (usually as children). They therefore assume this is an appropriate way of dealing with their own insecurities and problems, although it definitely is not. Unfortunately the pattern continues every year where some sufferers of abuse become abusers themselves.

Discrimination

Discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, sexuality and disability can induce fear, undermine self-confidence, and reduce opportunities in education, housing and employment – all of which can be distressing experiences. Examples include black children experiencing racist comments at school, children being ostracised and excluded by their peers on the grounds of their sexuality, and black children not being encouraged to succeed at school because of institutional racism. Mixed race children may experience exclusion by both black and white peers.

Once in the mental health system, young people may meet a second form of discrimination, from mental health workers, which aggravates the situation. This type of discrimination can have a severe impact on a young person, at a time when they are most vulnerable and most easily influenced, damaging their self-esteem and restricting their opportunities.

Mental health issues

Sexual identity

Sex and sexuality can be difficult to talk about and understand, and most young people find it hard to discuss these issues with their parents. It is illegal for a boy or man to have sex with a girl under 16. A woman or girl cannot be charged with ‘unlawful sexual intercourse’ with men or boys of any age, but could be charged with indecent assault or gross indecency. The age of consent for gay men remained at 21 (compared to 16 for heterosexuals) until 1994, when it was lowered to 18 after a fierce debate in the Commons and Lords. A new Sexual Offences Act was passed in January 2001, equalising the age of consent with heterosexuals at 16.

Issues of sexual identity can be especially troubling during teenage years, when identity in general is being questioned. Choice of job, friends and beliefs are all developing issues, and self-doubt and uncertainty are to be expected. Young lesbians and gays are often told they are going through ‘a phase’, which they will grow out of. This can encourage denial and promote negative thoughts about being lesbian or gay. It might be more appropriate for the young person to talk through their feelings, with a counsellor, teacher or youth worker, or someone from a gay and lesbian helpline.

Alcohol, drugs and substance abuse

Alcohol

The World Health Organisation's European Charter on Alcohol, signed by all member states of the EU states: "All children and adolescents have the right to grow up in an environment protected from the negative consequences of alcohol consumption, and to the extent possible, from the promotion of alcoholic beverages."

In the inter-war period young people aged 18 to 24 were the lightest drinkers in the population, and the group most likely to not to drink at all. By the 1980s, this group had become the heaviest drinkers in the population and the least likely to abstain. Nowadays, most young people drink regularly by the age of 14 or 15, and one survey found that more than a quarter of boys aged 9 to 10 were drinking regularly at home. The latest survey data shows that girls are now binge drinking as much as boys. Minority ethnic teenagers are less likely to drink alcohol than their white counterparts. [42]

A survey of secondary school heads in 2004 found that a majority considered that alcohol was a bigger problem in school than drug abuse. Binge drinking results in unsafe sex, injury and illness, dangerous behaviour, and is linked with being in trouble with the police. Between 2002 and 2003, 3,322 children aged 11 to 15 years were admitted in NHS hospitals in England with alcohol-related diagnoses. [43]

In the long-term, continued alcohol misuse is likely to affect social functioning, including school performance. Alcohol misuse while young is associated with heavy drinking in later life, and there is an association between alcohol and the use of illegal drugs. There is evidence that it is associated with poor nutrition, and that alcohol can disrupt some of the biological mechanisms involved in physical growth during puberty. It may also impair psychological and emotional development. [44]

Drugs

Most children and young people do not use drugs and most that do never get beyond experimenting with them. However, the use of drugs is a significant issue in many young people's lives, whether it is a matter keeping up with peers, rebelling against authority, or escaping from a difficult life.

Findings from the 2001/2002 British Crime Survey indicate that people aged between 16 and 24 are significantly more likely to have used drugs in the last year and the last month than older people. The use of Class A drugs in this age group has not changed significantly since 1994. While the use of amphetamines, LSD, magic mushrooms, methadone and glue among 16 to 24 year-olds has decreased significantly since 1998, cocaine and ecstasy use has increased significantly. Cannabis is the easiest drug to obtain, has the youngest mean age of first use at 15.5 years, and was used by 27 per cent of 16 to 24 year-olds. [45]

The taking of legal and illegal drugs can be both physically and emotionally addictive, and should not be ignored as a passing phase. Use of illegal drugs such as cannabis and ecstasy has been linked with the development of depression and psychosis in some susceptible individuals. Some people also react to steroids, used to enhance performance in sport, by becoming violent or manic. There is the additional risk of HIV infection if drugs are injected.

Other substances

The number of deaths from volatile substance abuse (inhaling such substances as lighters, paint, aerosols and thinners) in children aged 10 to 14 has risen from 7 in 2001 to 12 in 2002, the highest number in that age group since 1991. Total deaths across all ages peaked at 152 in 1990, fell rapidly in 1992 in association with a campaign to publicise the problem, and since then the figure has remained relatively stable at about 73 per year. Deaths due to volatile substance abuse are much more common among boys than girls. In 2002 girls accounted for 25 per cent of deaths. The majority of deaths in children occurred in a public place. [46]

(Statistics from Mind.org.uk)

If you would like to find more information about physical, emotional or sexual abuse, please visit our Abuse section. Alternatively go to our Addictions section if you would like to find further details about any of the areas of substance abuse above.