Emotional abuse At a glance
Emotional abuse is the ongoing emotional maltreatment of a child. It’s sometimes called psychological abuse and can seriously damage a child’s emotional health and development.
Emotional abuse can involve deliberately trying to scare or humiliate a child or isolating or ignoring them.
Children who are emotionally abused are often suffering another type of abuse or neglect at the same time – but this isn’t always the case.
Worried about a child?
Contact our trained helpline counsellors for 24/7 help, advice and support.
Help and advice
Signs, indicators and effects
Keeping children safe
Research and resources
"Backing me into the corner until I was whimpering and crying, he would just laugh at me and walk away, satisfied by my distress."
Read Fiona's story
What we do about emotional abuse
Services for children, families and professionals
Childline
Childline is our free, confidential helpline for children and young people. Whenever children need us, Childline is there for them – by phone, email or live chat.
Have NSPCC Schools Service visit your school
If you work at a primary school in the UK and would like us to deliver an assembly and workshop get in touch.
Make a donation today
A child will contact Childline every 25 seconds. Donate now and help us be there for every child.
Get expert training and consultancy
Specialist and bespoke child protection courses
Child protection consultancy
Childline
Childline is our free, confidential helpline for children and young people. Whenever children need us, Childline is there for them – by phone, email or live chat.
Speak out. Stay safe.
What you can do
It's Time to demand change
Up to 90% of children who've been abused will develop mental health issues by the time they're 18.
Make a donation today
A child will contact Childline every 25 seconds. Donate now and help us be there for every child.
Call the NSPCC helpline
If you're worried about a child, even if you're unsure, contact our professional counsellors 24/7 for help, advice and support.
Call us or email help@nspcc.org.uk.