There are many reasons as to why child abuse or neglect occurs, it may be failure to cope with stress, a lack of knowledge or the skills to care for a child.

We now know that the likelihood of physical abuse , emotional abuse and neglect is increased if a parent has not been taught parenting skills, has limited knowledge of how children develop and does not have access to the support and advice of family, friends or professionals (that is, the family is isolated from support).

We also know that child abuse and neglect must be viewed in the context of the child, family, their local community and society.  We know that child maltreatment is more likely to occur in families with other significant family problems (e.g. unemployment and poverty, substance abuse, lack of social contacts and other supports, domestic violence).    

If any of the following conditions exist, the risk of child abuse occurring increases, and a combination of a number of these conditions substantially increases the risks.

Some have argued that sexual abuse is caused by dysfunctional family dynamics where children are used to fulfil inappropriate roles in families to enable the family to function. While this may be the case in some circumstances (and that is no excuse for the behaviour!), it is generally agreed that sexual abuse is about the abuse of power.

Patriarchal (male-dominated) societies where women and children are seen as being the property of men are more likely to have higher rates of sexual assault. Sexual abuse is therefore seen merely as one part of the range of violence perpetrated by men against women and children. Given that more evidence is being discovered that women also commit child sexual abuse, it is perhaps better to consider sexual abuse as being caused by those in a more powerful position (adults) exploiting the weaker members of society (children) for sexual purposes.