The impact of abuse on children and young people can be short term or long term, or both, depending on their particular experience.

Abuse and neglect of children and young people can cause them to have long term physical and mental health problems. It can be very difficult to recover from the effects of having being abused or neglected.

Abuse or neglect can have a major impact on a child's or young person's ability to do well at school. This has a knock-on effect on their chances of further or higher education and the opportunities for a successful career.  Some children and young people who are abused or neglected also have difficulty in their social development - making friends or getting on with people - and their physical development.

So, the impact of abuse and neglect isn't just about how the child or young person feels at the time, though that can be very bad. It can have a huge effect on their whole life. That's why it's important that we all accept that we have a responsibility to do something if we're concerned for a child or a young person.

Today's children and young people are the adults of tomorrow. For communities and society as a whole, the health and well being of children and young people is important. If children and young people are not able to develop into healthy and happy adults, then there are costs for us all.