Immediate danger? Police 117 · Gendarmerie 113 · Mobile emergency 112

Cameroon
Report abuse

Recognise and respond

What is child abuse?

Child abuse is an action, omission or pattern that harms a child or places them at serious risk. One sign does not always prove abuse, but concerns should be taken seriously.

Physical abuse

Physical abuse is the intentional use of force that injures or risks injuring a child.

Can result in

  • Bruises, burns, fractures or internal injuries
  • Chronic pain, disability or long-term health problems
  • Fear, hypervigilance or difficulty trusting adults

Physical signs

  • Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, fractures or repeated injuries
  • Injuries with explanations that do not fit the child's age or the injury
  • Wearing clothing that hides marks in hot weather

Behavioural signs

  • Fear of going home or fear of a particular adult
  • Flinching at sudden movement or being touched
  • Aggression, withdrawal, anxiety or sudden changes in behaviour

A safer response

Seek urgent medical help for serious injuries. Record only what you directly observed and report concerns to a protection professional or the authorities.

Services and reporting routes vary by region. If a child is in immediate danger, call Police 117, Gendarmerie 113, or 112 from a mobile phone where available.

Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse is a repeated pattern that damages a child's dignity, confidence or emotional development.

Can result in

  • Low self-worth and chronic self-doubt
  • Anxiety, depression or difficulty forming relationships
  • Self-harm or thoughts of suicide in severe cases

Physical signs

  • Developmental delay or behaviour much younger or older than expected
  • A caregiver consistently describing the child as worthless or unwanted

Behavioural signs

  • Persistent humiliation, threats, rejection, isolation or intimidation
  • Extreme anxiety, withdrawal, aggression or fear of making mistakes
  • Low self-worth, self-harm or thoughts of suicide

A safer response

Listen without blaming the child. Take threats of self-harm seriously and obtain immediate professional or emergency help when needed.

Services and reporting routes vary by region. If a child is in immediate danger, call Police 117, Gendarmerie 113, or 112 from a mobile phone where available.

Sexual abuse and exploitation

Sexual abuse includes any sexual contact with a child, exposing a child to sexual acts or material, grooming, trafficking or creating sexual images of a child.

Can result in

  • Physical injury, infection or long-term health effects
  • Deep shame, confusion or self-blame that is never the child's fault
  • Difficulty with trust, safety and relationships later in life

Physical signs

  • Pain, bleeding, infections or difficulty walking or sitting
  • Sexual knowledge or behaviour that is unusual for the child's age

Behavioural signs

  • A child tells you about sexual contact, grooming or exploitation
  • Sudden fear of a person or place, running away or school decline
  • Unexplained gifts, secret online contacts or pressure to share images

A safer response

Believe the child, stay calm and do not confront the suspected person. Preserve messages or images without forwarding them, and contact trained protection or law-enforcement services.

Services and reporting routes vary by region. If a child is in immediate danger, call Police 117, Gendarmerie 113, or 112 from a mobile phone where available.

Neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child's basic physical, medical, educational, emotional or supervision needs.

Can result in

  • Malnutrition, untreated illness or delayed development
  • Falling behind in school or dropping out
  • Unsafe situations from a lack of supervision

Physical signs

  • Frequent hunger, poor hygiene or unsuitable clothing
  • Untreated illness, injury or dental problems

Behavioural signs

  • A young child regularly left alone or caring for other children
  • Frequent unexplained school absence
  • Unsafe housing or exposure to serious violence

A safer response

A family's poverty alone is not abuse. Focus on the child's safety and connect the family with social, health and protection support.

Services and reporting routes vary by region. If a child is in immediate danger, call Police 117, Gendarmerie 113, or 112 from a mobile phone where available.

A child has told me. What do I say?

“I believe you. You did the right thing by telling me. This is not your fault. I will help you find safety.”
Read the response guide

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