such as oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder (Kaplan et al., 1999). Individuals who were physically abused also showed higher aggressive and delinquent behaviours (Kaplan et al., 1999; Briere & Runtz, 1990). Research has also indicated that physically abused children tend to be less popular and liked and had fewer friendships. As well, physically abused children showed less intimacy and more conflict and negative affect towards their close friends in comparison to the non-abused group (Kaplan et al., 1999). physically abused children also tend to be more shy and inhibited in interpersonal contacts than the non-abused group. This would have an affect on their social functioning (Augoustinos, 1987). Another effect that has been demonstrated in children who have been physically abused is a deficit in various cognitive abilities (Augoustinos, 1987; Kaplan et al., 1999). On the WISCR-R, physically abused children had a lower mean score than the mean of the non-abused group. They also scored significantly lower on the Performance and Verbal Scales and the Verbal Language Development Scale, as well as showed deficits in mathematics and language tests, and in both receptive and expressive language (Augoustinos, 1987; Helm, Newport, Bonsall, Miller & Nemeroff, 2001; Kaplan et al., 1999). From all of this evidence, one can conclude that physical abuse can have a damaging effect on children.Sexual abuse also has long-lasting negative effects on children. Sexually abused children have a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders. This has been illustrated in several studies (McLeer, Dixon, Henry, Ruggiero, Escovitz, Niedda & Scholle, 1998; Zlotnick, Mattia & Zimmerman, 2001). Research shows that having a history of childhood sexual abuse is a risk factor for a broad range of psychiatric disorders and a higher rate of multiple Axis 1 disorders. As well, there is a strong presence of Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and posttraumatic...
