Child Abuse

What is Child Abuse?
Child Abuse is when a parent or a caregiver does physical or emotional abuse to children which it can cause injuries, death, or changes of behavior towards the child. There are different types of child abuse.

• Physical Abuse: An intentional act that causes injury or trauma by non-accidental.
• Sexual Abuse: Also know as molestation is when an adult uses a child for sexual behavior or involves a child in sexual acts. Whether it is using force or taking advantage of the child.
• Emotional Abuse: A parent or caregiver harming a child's emotional or social development, which can cause emotional harm to the child. 
• Child Neglect: A child not receiving care, love, supervision, safety, and support from a parent or caregiver. 

Statistics and Facts

• Every 10 seconds a report of child abuse is made.
• In the U.S. has one of the worst records among industrialized nations- losing average between 4 and 7 children daily to child abuse.
• Every year, the child protective services involve 6.6 million children and 3.2 million are subject to an investigated report.
• In one study, about 80% of 21-year-olds who reported childhood abuse met the criteria for at least one psychological disorder.
• 70% of children who died from child abuse or neglect were 2 years or younger
• 80% of them weren't yet old enough for kindergarten
• Around 80% of child maltreatment fatalities involve at least one parent as perpetrator
• Two-thirds of people in treatment for drug abuse reported being abused as children
• Children who experience abuse will likely become involve in criminal activity

Signs and Symptoms of Child Abuse

Physical Abuse:

• Unexplained injuries such as
• Bruises
• Burns
• Cuts
• Fractures
• Broken bones

Sexual Abuse:

• Blood in child's underwear
• Inappropriate sexual contact with other children 
• Sexual behavior

Emotional Abuse:

• Inappropriate emotional development
• Loss of self-confidence
• Being depressed
• Refusing to go to school
• Loss of interest

Child Neglect:

• Poor growth or weight
• Gain or being overweight
• Poor hygiene
• Not doing well in school

Causes and Effects

When a child is being abused or neglect, there can be major changes on their behavior and health issues.

For instance:

• Feeling guilty, ashamed, or afraid
• Not talking to peers and teacher at school
• Losing self-confidence
• Attemtping to run away
• Suicidal thoughts or attempt to harm themselves
• Abuse others
• Unable to sleep
• Smoking and drinking at an early age

Prevention from Child Abuse

There are ways for parents, caregivers or adults to prevent or help children from Child Abuse:

• Parents and caregivers should:
• Giver love and support 
• Listen to them
• NOT take out anger to the child, take a break and go to a different room
• NOT leave child home alone
• Encourage their child to leave threatening or frightening situation immediately and to seek help from a trusted adult
• Teach how to stay safe online; being on social media from computer, table, and smartphone. Is it best to use parental controls to restrict the types of websites a child visits and check on social media apps and sites the child uses.

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-422-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)

References:

•  Child Abuse- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/child-abuse/symptoms-causes/syc-20370864
• Child Abuse Statistics & Facts- https://www.childhelp.org/child-abuse-statistics/#4-5
• Child Abuse Prevention- https://www.childhelp.org/story-resource-center/child-abuse-prevention/