A systematic review conducted by researchers at University College London (UCL) and Wingate University emphasises the critical need to recognise childhood verbal abuse by adults as a distinct subtype of child maltreatment. The study, commissioned by the charity Words Matter and published in Child Abuse & Neglect: The International Journal, sheds light on the impact of verbal abuse on children’s well-being and advocates for targeted prevention measures.
Child maltreatment is conventionally classified into four subtypes: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. These classifications guide the development of interventions and the monitoring of affected populations. The study questions the existing framework and suggests the addition of childhood verbal abuse as a standalone category.
