Family Abuse: Myths and Facts about Child Abuse

Can you tell fact from fiction?

Every day in Canada, children are abused or neglected in their homes. Still, many kids are confused about what family abuse actually is.

Myth: I come from a good family – abuse couldn’t happen to me.
Fact: Family violence happens in all kinds of families, neighborhoods, and communities around the world.

Myth: I can behave really badly sometimes. If my parents abuse me, it’s my fault.
Fact: NO ONE deserves to be abused – no matter what they’ve done.

Myth: My mom hits me, but I know she loves me and just does it because she cares.
Fact: Abuse and neglect aren’t about love. Love shouldn’t hurt.

Myth: It’s up to my parents if they want to hit me.
Fact: Just because your parents think it’s right to hit you doesn’t make it true. Abuse and neglect are illegal.

Myth: If my dad yells at me and calls me names, it’s not abuse.
Fact: Abuse isn’t just about being physically hurt. Emotional abuse and neglect are also wrong, and against the law.

Myth: My parents have to hurt me to make me behave.
Fact: Abuse doesn’t make kids behave better. Indeed, kids who are abused are often scared and angry, which can make behavior problems worse.