Abuse is a loose term that may be categorized under physical, mental or emotional areas.

Here, researches show that the most common target of abuse are boys and girls aged 18 and below. Because of lack of experience, these children are easily exploited for money, work force, and sometimes, sexual pleasure. At an early age, many become homeless and malnourished. Also, due to acts of bullying, their self esteem depreciates and eventually become withdrawn, aggressive and self-destructive teenagers. As they mature, they turn out to be vulnerable to substance and alcohol abuse, and are at most likely to join gangs in the hopes to find acceptance in the form of their peers. Abused individuals eventually try to find different ways on how to cope up with their current situation. Given the right guidance and attitude, the first step towards a new life is to be given essentials like proper shelter, food, health care and education, medical attention, and other basic things that were lacking in their childhood. Programs ensuring rehabilitation, counseling, religious teaching, love and care, guidance and protection, will heal the mental and emotional wound caused by the maltreatment they received if given in the right time. To be abused is a serious matter, especially when done to a child who is still under the stage of developing. If not treated, it may lead to health problems ranging from cholera to tuberculosis and anemia, risk of HIV and AIDS. They are prone to physical injuries from gang fights and suicidal attempts. Their weak persona attracts abusive people throughout their life leading to more ill-treatment, rape and other violent experiences. Their minds are set that they are worthless imbeciles who are to be used by others as they please, making them inadequate to supply their own needs. Until they reach a point in life where they just give up and surrender to the fact that they are a slave to power and poverty.