Recognising abuse and neglect in teenagers

Signs and indicators of abuse and neglect in teenagers

Risk factors

The signs and indicators of abuse and neglect may differ depending on a variety of factors, including: the type of harm a young person is experiencing, their age and stage of development, environmental factors and the individual child.

There are also some risks that particularly affect teenagers and young people. These risks don’t mean that a child will be at risk of or experience abuse, but they do mean it can be more likely.

For example, teenagers are more likely to experience sexual abuse than younger children.³ They are also more likely to have been abused by someone outside of the home, including by another child or young person, or through exposure to violence in the community⁴.

Older children and teenagers also spend more time online than their younger peers and are more likely to spend that time unsupervised. This means they are more likely to be exposed to online harm and abuse.

If you have any concerns about a young person, you should follow your organisation’s safeguarding procedures (see later section on responding to concerns).

Conversations

Some young people may never disclose their experiences. Others may hope someone notices that something is wrong.

If they do try to tell someone what has happened to them, or what they are experiencing, then this is rarely a straightforward process. Young people may talk about their experiences, but you may also notice changes in behaviour or other signs.

> Find out more about responding to disclosures

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Abuse and neglect have a significant negative effect on young people’s mental and emotional wellbeing.

If a young person is experiencing high levels of stress, they don’t have a positive outlook for the future or there are any other concerns about mental health, professionals should explore the causes of this. You should also look out for any patterns that may suggest young people need support with their mental health.

> Recognising and responding to concerns about mental health

Health and physical appearance

Sometimes changes in a young person’s health or physical appearance can be an indicator of abuse or neglect. This can include:

• being tired or experiencing changes in their sleep
• changes in their eating habits
• poor personal hygiene
• changes in appearance, for example wearing clothing that hasn’t been washed or having new items of clothing with no explanation
• unexplained or poorly explained injuries
• dressing to hide injuries.

It’s important to reflect on the potential causes for any sudden, or unexplained, changes to health or appearance.

Types of abuse and neglect

Some signs and indicators are common to all types of abuse and neglect. However, there are also physical, emotional and behaviour signs specific to the type of harm a young person is experiencing.

Find out more about how to recognise the different types of abuse and neglect:

• sexual abuse
• sexual exploitation
• emotional abuse
• neglect
• physical abuse
• online abuse
• county lines
• child criminal exploitation
• domestic abuse

Responding to and reporting concerns

If you think a child is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999. If you're worried about a child but they are not in immediate danger, you should share your concerns.

• Follow your organisational child protection procedures. Organisations that work with children and families must have safeguarding policies and procedures in place.
• Contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk. Our child protection specialists will talk through your concerns with you and give you expert advice.
• Contact your local child protection services. Their contact details can be found on the website for the local authority the child lives in.
• Contact the police.

Services will risk assess the situation and take action to protect the child as appropriate either through statutory involvement or other support. This may include making a referral to the local authority.

> See our information about recognising and responding to abuse

If your organisation doesn't have a clear safeguarding procedure or you're concerned about how child protection issues are being handled in your own, or another, organisation, contact the Whistleblowing Advice Line to discuss your concerns.

> Find out about the Whistleblowing Advice Line on the NSPCC website

When you're not sure

The NSPCC Helpline can help when you're not sure if a situation needs a safeguarding response. Our child protection specialists are here to support you whether you're seeking advice, sharing concerns about a child, or looking for reassurance.

Whatever the need, reason or feeling, you can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk

Our trained professionals will talk through your concerns with you. Depending on what you share, our experts will talk you through which local services can help, advise you on next steps, or make referrals to children's services and the police.

> Find out more about how the NSPCC Helpline can support you

Supporting teenagers and young people

Responding to disclosures

If a young person discloses that they have experienced abuse or neglect, it’s important that they feel they are being listened to and taken seriously. You should:

• show you care, help them open up. Give your full attention to the child or young person and keep your body language open and encouraging. Be compassionate, be understanding and reassure them their feelings are important. Phrases such as ‘you’ve shown such courage today’ help.
• take your time, slow down. Respect pauses and don’t interrupt the child – let them go at their own pace. Recognise and respond to their body language. And remember that it may take several conversations for them to share what’s happened to them.
• show you understand, reflect back. Make it clear you’re interested in what the child is telling you. Reflect back what they’ve said to check your understanding – and use their language to show it’s their experience.

> Find out more about responding to disclosures

Empowering and listening to young people

Young people are experts in their own lives. Actively involving teenagers and young people about the decisions that affect them, and supporting them in their choices, not only ensures their voice is heard but it can also be beneficial to their wellbeing.

By creating an environment where young people feel safe and respected, you can help them speak out and access the support they need. Talk to young people about their right to feel safe, and make sure they know how to get help, for themselves or others, if they need it.

> More about the voice of the child

Creating safe spaces

As children get older, they usually start to spend more time outside the family home. They may be exposed to new and different environments and they can be influenced by what’s happening around them.

It is important to think about any risks that this may present and how to engage with young people to create safer spaces.

> Listen to our podcast episode about contextual safeguarding

Engaging with young people

Sometimes young people may be reluctant to engage with support, they may miss appointments or they may reject any intervention that is offered⁵. If this happens, it is important that professionals remain curious and explore the reasons behind this behaviour.

Young people may feel concerned that they won’t be listened to or that nothing will happen, or change, as a result of the intervention. They may also be worried that it won’t meet their needs or that they will experience negative consequences if they access support.

Understanding and addressing what is causing young people’s reluctance to access support can help professionals make sure appropriate help is put in place for the young person.