CHILD ABUSE WHAT CHILD ABUSE IS: RIGHTS OF CHILDREN: WAYS TO PREVENT:

Child abuse the poor/mistreatment of children. Abuse happens to infants, to children and to adolescents.

What Happens to the Abused? Young people who have been abused may become distrustful of others and have a very difficult time relating to people. It has been estimated that over 2000 children a year die as a result of abuse or neglect.

Results of abuse Many adults who harm children were raised in a family where there was abuse. Young people who are abused usually learn to accept abusive behavior. These people will develop a poor self- concept and will have low self-esteem. Unfortunately, when they get married and have children they themselves become abusers.

Any child who has been abused needs to know that the abuse was not her/his fault. Every state has laws to protect young people from being abused. These laws require that abuse be reported to a child welfare agency.

WHY ADULTS ABUSE CHILDREN Adults abuse children for many reasons: Substance abuse Stress Poor parenting skills Teenage parents For their own gratification

General Statistics Almost five children die everyday as a result of child abuse. More than three out of four are under the age of 4.

General Statistics 90% of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way; 68% are abused by family members.

Child Abuse Consequences 31% percent of women in prison in the United States were abused as children.

Child Abuse Consequences Over 60% of people in drug rehabilitation centers report being abused or neglected as a child.

Consequences cont. About 80% of 21 year old that were abused as children met criteria for at least one psychological disorder.

Annual Cost of Paying for Child Abuse The estimated annual cost of child abuse and neglect in the United States for 2007 is $104 billion.

Consequences Abused children are 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy.

Child Abuse and Criminal Behavior 14% of all men in prison in the USA were abused as children 36% of all women in prison were abused as children

Criminal Behavior continued Children who experience child abuse & neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult 30% more likely to commit violent crime.

Child Abuse Consequences Children who have been sexually abused are 2.5 times more likely to abuse alcohol Children who have been sexually abused are 3.8 times more likely develop drug addictions Nearly two-thirds of the people in treatment for drug abuse reported being abused as children

Child Abuse in America Children are suffering from a hidden epidemic of child abuse and neglect. Over 3 million reports of child abuse are made every year in the United States; however, those reports can include multiple children.

Number of Children Abused in the U.S. In 2007, approximately 5.8 million children were involved in an estimated 3.2 million child abuse reports and allegations.

Physical Abuse: The maltreatment that harms the body. Signs of physical abuse may include bruises, burns, cuts, missing teeth, and broken bones.

Neglect: the maltreatment that involves inadequate or dangerous child- rearing practices. There are many ways of neglect: These include a lack of supervision, proper clothing for the weather, medical and dental care, nutritious food and clean living conditions.

Emotional Abuse: the maltreatment that involves relating to a child in a destructive way. This might include ignoring the child, withholding love, and constantly criticizing or ridiculing the child.

Sexual Abuse: the maltreatment involving inappropriate sexual behavior of an adult toward a child. The child may engage in inappropriate sexual behavior now and in the future and may be unable to trust someone of the opposite sex.

WAYS TO PREVENT ABUSE: Refuse to keep secrets if asked to do so by an adult who shows unloving behavior. Avoid being alone with an adult whom you do not trust If an adult tries to touch you in an inappropriate way, try to remove yourself from the situation if you can

Ways to Prevent Abuse Continued Scream or yell help if necessary Always tell an adult you trust If the adult above does nothing, find another adult to trust and tell them Keep telling someone until the situation changes

Seven rights all children have to: 1.be wanted 2.be born as healthy as possible 3.be loved as he/she is 4.have skillful and healthful parenting

SEVEN RIGHTS 5experience success 6.be assisted in reaching his/her maximum potential 7.live without any form of abuse

Conclusion Trust your feelings. If the situation does not feel right, it usually is not!