Child Abuse Emily Heffelfinger

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines child abuse or maltreatment as any act or series of acts by a parent or caregiver that results in harm, potential for harm, or threat of harm to a child. What is Child Abuse?

Forms of Child Abuse There are four forms of child abuse: Neglect The child is underfed, inappropriately clothed, dirty, etc. Neglect is the most common form of child abuse. Physical Abuse Bruises are visible on various places of the child’s body. The child can be afraid of adults, especially the abuser. Can also show fear of being in a locked, small, or dark room. Emotional/Mental/Psychological Abuse Mental abuse isn’t usually visible on the victim’s body, but it can be suspected through the child’s behavior. The child can be unusually shy, inhibited, withdrawn, self-conscious, or below his/her mental expectations. Sexual Abuse Child can show fear of adults, especially the abuser. Child can also show “unusual knowledge” for his/her age. Forms of Child Abuse

Causes of Child Abuse Poverty or unemployment Abused parents Disabilities Drugs and alcohol Religion, ethnicity, amount of money, and race are practically irrelevant; abuse can happen to any child. But it is found to be more common in a lower class or impoverished class of people. Causes of Child Abuse

Parents, relatives, or other friends of the family Trusted adults of the victim are the most common perpetrators. Stepparents, girlfriends or boyfriends of the parents The risk for child abuse increases if the partner of the parents lives in the same home with the child. Strangers Children can be easily lured into being kidnapped by a stranger with bribes of candy or cute little kittens or something. Who Causes Child Abuse?

Jon Benet Ramsey

Poverty/Unemployment Neglect is the most common form of child abuse in this situation. Unemployment can also contribute to cases of neglect, but that would depend on how long the parents were unemployed. Poverty or unemployment can lead to child prostitution or exploitation. The family can sell out their children to make more money for the family. In most cases of unemployment, abuse is more likely to take place rather than neglect. Stress levels of the parents will rise while the joblessness lasts. This could cause them to take their increasing stresses out on their children. Poverty/Unemployment

Parents that were abused themselves as children are more likely to abuse their own children. Why would this happen? An abused parent may know of only one way of effectively punishing or disciplining their own children because that was how they were punished themselves. That was how they were taught, so that is how they’ll do it. Abused Parents

Who could do this to their child??!

A child with disabilities can increase the stress levels of the parents. A child with mental or physical disabilities can be harder to take care of because they have individual needs. The parents can take their stress out on the child. Children with disabilities are easier to abuse. An adult person could easily abuse a handicap child, and handicap children would also be threatened more effectively because of their disabilities. They can’t defend themselves. A mentally retarded child may not be able to defend themselves either. Disabilities

Parents who abuse drugs or alcohol are more likely to abuse their children. A child is about 4 times more likely to be neglected and about 3 times more likely to be sexually or physically abused if the parent or parents are doing drugs or excessively drinking alcohol. Drugs and Alcohol

Statistics

It is mandatory to report child abuse in every state. Every state has laws requiring child abuse to be reported if it is known to be happening by somebody. Failure to report can be punished by a fine. Every state now has a hotline that can be called to report child abuse. Reporting Child Abuse