CAS 100 Speech Communication Child Abuse Marissa Dudeck CAS 100 Speech Communication Informative Speech October 16, 2009

Over 2,700 children will be victims of domestic violence today. (Source: )

“Child abuse casts a shadow the length of a lifetime.” ~Herbert Ward

October is Child Abuse month

Objectives To bring about awareness of some facts regarding child abuse To get you more informed on the different kinds of child abuse To enable you to recognize the signs To bring awareness on how you can help save the lives of so many innocent children.  

Preview of Main Points Some Facts Types of Child Abuse How to recognize it Ways to prevent it

Some Facts Age range from 0 – 18 years old It’s hard to obtain statistics of abuse because it’s not always reported and there’s not always proof. People who were abused as children are most likely to abuse their own children. October is Domestic Abuse Awareness Month * http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/commonproblems/Child_Abuse.html

3 Forms of Child Abuse Physical Abuse Sexual Abuse Neglect

Physical Abuse Intentional infliction of injury on a child Over 1,000,000 children are affected by child physical abuse per year The person inflicting injury is usually a family member or caregiver *http://www.hmc.psu.edu/childrens/healthinfo/pq/physicalabuse.htm

Sexual Abuse When a child is abused for the sexual gratification of an adult or older adolescent Most common scenario is between young daughter and stepfather Online sexual exploitation has become a major problem * http://www.protectkids.com/abuse/index.htm

Neglect failure by the caregiver to provide age-appropriate care Most prevalent form of child abuse in the United States Inadequate supply of food, clothing, shelter, education, or medical care * http://www.safechild.org/childabuse4.htm

Recognizing Abuse changes in a child’s behavior or school performance Frequent bruises, burns, broken bones Fondling Pain when urinating Dangerous living environment Lack of medical treatment Poor hygiene *http://cfsa.dc.gov/cfsa/cwp/view,a,3,q,520705.asp#pa

Preventing Child Abuse Key: prevent it before it occurs Prevention programs Public awareness Know the signs Child Protective Services: (800) 932-0313 * http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/commonproblems/Child_Abuse.html

Summary Having discussed with you: some facts on child abuse; the 3 types of child abuse: physical, sexual and neglect; the signs that help us detect or recognize child abuse; and, the ways we can prevent it-- I hope that I have brought to you greater awareness and understanding of child abuse problem in our society.

Q & A Marissa Dudeck mld5213@psu.edu

Sources (2006, October 31). Child Physical Abuse. Retrieved from http://www.hmc.psu.edu/childrens/healthinfo/pq/physicalabuse.htm (2005, March 27). Child Abuse. Retrieved from http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/commonproblems/Child_Abuse.html (2008). Neglect. Retrieved from http://www.safechild.org/childabuse4.htm (2009). How to recognize Child abuse and Neglect. Retrieved from http://cfsa.dc.gov/cfsa/cwp/view,a,3,q,520705.asp#pa Hugues, D.R. (2001). Child Sexual Abuse. Retrieved from http://www.protectkids.com/abuse/index.htm