20 Wilson, Terence, Nathan, O’Leary, and Clark 1996 add ‘neglect’ as one type of
child abuse p.551. The following are explanations of each kind of abuse.
1 Physical Abuse
Wolfe states that physical abuse refers to non-accidental injuries that result from the violent behavior of caretakers, which 60 of them are women as cited
in Wilson et al, 1996, p.551. Physical abuses often leave scars. Therefore it is the most obvious abuse, which can be detected and observed. According to Pritchard
Colin 2004 there are many forms of physical abuse, such as “frequent or severe hitting, slapping, beating, shaking, punching, kicking” p.12.
In some cases of abuse, discipline is often used as the reason to give punishment. The punishment which are physical in nature or which limits the
space for one to move or develop one’s body can be categorized as physical abuse. Abusive punishments can be categorized as physical abuse because they
are not aimed at disciplining children, but more to creating trauma. The traumatic experience the victim experiences will leave an indelible memory. Therefore,
physical abuse is usually closely related to psychological abuse.
2 Psychological Abuse
Wilson et al 1996 defines psychological or emotional abuse as a term that generally refers to “being harsh, critical and overly demanding of the child”
p.552. O’Hagan defines Psychological abuse as the sustained, repetitive, inappropriate behavior which damages, or substantially reduces, the creative and
developmental potential of crucially important mental faculties and mental
21 process of a child; these include intelligence, memory, recognition, perception,
attention and moral development as cited in Pritchard, 2004, p.15. Psychological abuse is difficult to observe because it is related to the
emotions inside. It cannot be seen physically, but sometimes it is closely related to physical abuse, especially when the physical abuse creates a lasting trauma on the
victim. Since one’s emotion is very personal, the effect of emotional abuse is hard to detect. It can, however, be detected if the victim shares or demonstrates
behavioral problems such as anger, depression or maladjustment. Crosson Tower 2008 mention some treatments which can be
categorized as psychological abuse: “Threats to injure or kill; constant sneeringsarcasm or belittling; throwing away or destroying toys; forbidden to
speak or play; scapegoating; favoritism to siblings; locked in room or confined space” p.12.
Garbarino states that today, psychological abuse is not an inaccessible event, but rather observable from a pattern of physically destructive behavior that
may include rejecting, isolating, terrorizing, ignoring, and corrupting as cited in Cynthia Crosson and Tower, 2008, p.216. Rejecting is when the adult refuses to
acknowledge the child’s worth or the legitimacy of the child’s need. Isolating is one type of physical abuse which can cause psychological abuse. It happens when
the adult isolates the child from normal social experiences, prevents the child from forming friendships and makes the child believes that he or she is alone in
the world. Terrorizing happens when the adult verbally assaults the child, creates a climate of fear, bullies and frightens the child. It makes the child believe that the
22 world is hostile and unsafe. It can make the children afraid and even traumatize
them. Ignoring is a physical behavior which can make the child feel desperate because of parents’ lack of love. It can happen when the adult blocks the child
from having prompt, stifling emotional growth and intellectual development. Corrupting is when the adult encourages the child to connect in destructive and
antisocial behavior, reinforces defiance and makes the child insusceptible for normal social experience.
Psychologically, this abuse implies rejection or in some manners impedes the development of a child’s positive self-concept. There are some factors which
can be the roots of psychological maltreatment. Psychological abuse is difficult to prove or document and thus may go unnoticed because there are many factors,
which can influence this abuse.
3 Sexual Abuse
Wolfe defines sexual abuse as sexual activity imposed or forced on a child, and in some cases, also involves emotional abuse as cited in Wilson et al,
1996, p.554. Crosson and Tower 2008 state “sexual abuse refers to the use of a child for the sexual gratification of an adult” p.124.
Sexual abuse is one abuse which often happens to children. According to Pritchard Colin 2004 there are some actions which are considered sexual abuses.
Those are “interference with and needless touching of child’s genitalia, forcing child to view or touch or sexually manipulate adult, penetration attempted or
achieved of genital or anal area, showing or making pornography” p.124.
23 Furthermore, Pritchard Colin 2004 explains that there are two types of
sexual abuse. They are intra-familial abuse and extra-familial abuse. First is intra- familial abuse, “it is sexual abuse by a blood relative” p.124. Here, the
perpetrators are part of the child’s nuclear family. It may also encompass members of a child’s extended family such as uncles, aunts, grandfathers, and
cousins. The second type is extra-familial abuse. Extra-familial abuse is done by someone outside the child’s family.
4 Neglect
Wilson et al 1996 say that neglect is an inadequate supervision and lack of attention to the physical and emotional needs of the child p.556. In other
words, it is a failure of the caregiver or the parents to provide minimal care and support for the child. Unfortunately, neglect is the most frequent form of child
abuse in most child abuse cases.
4. Motivation
Motivation comes from Latin word, “moveo”. Psychologists have created many terms and definitions regarding motivation. Motivation in Huffman, Vernoy
and Vernoy’s Psychology in Action 1997 refers to “factors within an individual such as needs, desires, and interests that activate, maintain, and direct behavior
toward a goal” p.364. This statement is in accordance with Beck 1978, who says, “Motivation is broadly concerned with the contemporary determinants of
choice direction, persistence, and vigor of goal-directed behavior” p.24. Vernoy and Beck both share the idea that motivation is a factor that causes a
