This Childhood Experience Is More Harmful Than You Might Think |
Michał Parzuchowski on Unsplash" />
It’s long been agreed that smacking is abusive and harmful to a child’s development – and, in some countries, it’s illegal for parents to do it.
Now, experts want to see action taken to tackle verbal abuse – a little-spoken-about issue that is now recognised as one of the most prevalent forms of child maltreatment.
Today, Sharon Hodgson MP, the charity Words Matter and a group of experts are set to discuss the “critical need” for verbal abuse prevention in children.
What is verbal abuse?
Verbal abuse can include blaming, insulting, scolding, criticising or threatening children.
There’s a common rhyme that many of us grew up with that “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”.
Yet Professor Andrea Danese, an expert in child and adolescent psychiatry at King’s College London (KCL), said it’s “wrong”.
“Words can harm a child’s wellbeing and development, and leave lifelong........