ABSTRACT: 

This study was carried out to investigate effect of child abuse on development of a child‘s self-esteem. a case study of Chitende and Gota-gota primary schools in Kafue rural district

 .The purpose of this study was to find out the main cause of child abuse. Data was collected from one hundred pupils fifty (50) male and fifty (50) female below the age of 18 years old from Chitende and Gota-gota primary school, Two different instruments were administered to the participants to test the variables under study. The first instrument is called Child Abuse Self Report Scale (CASRS) that comprises of sub-scales that include physical abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, and Neglect abuse scale. It was developed by Mohammadkhal(2003). The second instrument is the Coopersmith self-esteem inventory, it was developed by Coppersmith (1967) to measure self-esteem of children. Finding was discussed in relation to existing literature and it was recommended that parent, guardians should be enlightened on the harmful effect of child abuse on the esteem of a child. Also parent, guardians need to be discouraged by educating them on the right of a child under the law. Keywords: Child abuse, Self- esteem.