Perpetrators- Why Do Some People Abuse?

Child abuse can be narrowed into four categories. Physical, emotional, sexual and neglect. Each of the above, is a form of abuse and carries with it, it’s own legacy of mistreatment and repercussions for the victim. The impact of any form of abuse on a child is huge. For the purpose of this essay, I define child abuse in general, as ‘anything which individuals, institutions or processes do, or fail to do, which directly or indirectly harms children or damages their prospects of a safe and happy development into adulthood’. (www.NAPCAN.com) In all cases of child abuse, there is only one victim, the child. The perpetrator, that is, the person inflicting the abuse, is responsible for their actions. So why is it that some people abuse, and not others? There is no definitive textbook answer, but throughout this essay, I hope to examine some ideas in relation to the perplexing question that plagues society.

‘The most consistent feature of the histories of abusive families, is the ...