Child Abuse and Neglect

True or False 1. On average, 4 children die every day from child abuse. 2. Of all prison inmates, over half were abused as children. 3. Sexual assault only happens to girls. 4. Most children are sexually assaulted by a stranger. 5. Adults who were abused as a child, are more likely to abuse their own children.

What is child abuse? Any act or failure to act that endangers a child’s physical or emotional health and development. Any act or failure to act that endangers a child’s physical or emotional health and development. A child’s caretaker is considered abusive if he/she: A child’s caretaker is considered abusive if he/she: Fails to nurture the child Fails to nurture the child Physically injures the child Physically injures the child Or has sexual relations with the child Or has sexual relations with the child

Major Types of Child Abuse Physical Abuse Physical Abuse Sexual Abuse Sexual Abuse Emotional Abuse Emotional Abuse Neglect Neglect

Physical Abuse Involves physical harm or injury to the child. Involves physical harm or injury to the child. It may be the result of a deliberate attempt to hurt the child, but not always. It may be the result of a deliberate attempt to hurt the child, but not always. It can also result from severe discipline, such as using a belt on a child, or physical punishment that is inappropriate to the child’s age or physical condition It can also result from severe discipline, such as using a belt on a child, or physical punishment that is inappropriate to the child’s age or physical condition

Sexual Abuse Any sexual act or relationship with the child. Any sexual act or relationship with the child. Forms of CSA include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities (regardless of the outcome), indecent exposure of the genitals to a child, displaying pornography to a child, actual sexual contact against a child, physical contact with the child's genitals, viewing of the child's genitalia without physical contact, or using a child to produce child pornography. Forms of CSA include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities (regardless of the outcome), indecent exposure of the genitals to a child, displaying pornography to a child, actual sexual contact against a child, physical contact with the child's genitals, viewing of the child's genitalia without physical contact, or using a child to produce child pornography.indecent exposuregenitalspornographysexual contactchild pornographyindecent exposuregenitalspornographysexual contactchild pornography

Emotional Constant belittling, shaming, and humiliating a child Constant belittling, shaming, and humiliating a child Calling names and making negative comparisons to others Calling names and making negative comparisons to others Telling a child he or she is “no good," "worthless," "bad," or "a mistake." Telling a child he or she is “no good," "worthless," "bad," or "a mistake." Frequent yelling, threatening, or bullying. Frequent yelling, threatening, or bullying. Ignoring or rejecting a child as punishment, giving him or her the silent treatment. Ignoring or rejecting a child as punishment, giving him or her the silent treatment. Limited physical contact with the child—no hugs, kisses, or other signs of affection. Limited physical contact with the child—no hugs, kisses, or other signs of affection. Exposing the child to violence or the abuse of others, whether it be the abuse of a parent, a sibling, or even a pet. Exposing the child to violence or the abuse of others, whether it be the abuse of a parent, a sibling, or even a pet.

Neglect A pattern of failing to provide for a child's basic needs, whether it be adequate food, clothing, hygiene, or supervision. A pattern of failing to provide for a child's basic needs, whether it be adequate food, clothing, hygiene, or supervision. Sometimes, a parent might become physically or mentally unable to care for a child, such as with a serious injury, untreated depression, or anxiety. Other times, alcohol or drug abuse may seriously impair judgment and the ability to keep a child safe. Sometimes, a parent might become physically or mentally unable to care for a child, such as with a serious injury, untreated depression, or anxiety. Other times, alcohol or drug abuse may seriously impair judgment and the ability to keep a child safe.

Causes of Child Abuse Personal factors that may contribute to child abuse: Personal factors that may contribute to child abuse: General stress General stress The stress of having children when there were none before The stress of having children when there were none before Dealing with having a handicapped or behaviorally difficult child Dealing with having a handicapped or behaviorally difficult child Stress of caring for someone else Stress of caring for someone else

Causes (con’t) Personal history of abuse (childhood trauma) Personal history of abuse (childhood trauma) Alcohol/drug use Alcohol/drug use Marital conflict Marital conflict Unemployment Unemployment

Results of Child Abuse Child may become someone who lies, resents, fears, and retaliates, rather than loves, trusts, and listens. Child may become someone who lies, resents, fears, and retaliates, rather than loves, trusts, and listens. Child may become reclusive, and alienated from the family. Child may become reclusive, and alienated from the family. Child will have low self-esteem, and most likely to engage in self-destructive behaviors. Child will have low self-esteem, and most likely to engage in self-destructive behaviors.

Psychological development and social behavior will be impaired. Psychological development and social behavior will be impaired. In adulthood, the child is at risk of abusing their own children. In adulthood, the child is at risk of abusing their own children. In adulthood, the child excludes the abuser (most likely a parent) from family gatherings and celebrations. In adulthood, the child excludes the abuser (most likely a parent) from family gatherings and celebrations.

Recognizing Signs of Abuse There is no one sign that a child is being abused. Children who are being abused may act differently. Such as: There is no one sign that a child is being abused. Children who are being abused may act differently. Such as: Nightmares or trouble sleeping Nightmares or trouble sleeping Sudden decline in school performance Sudden decline in school performance Display intense anger or rage Display intense anger or rage Have difficulty forming new relationships Have difficulty forming new relationships

Signs of Abuse Children who are or have been abused may: Have a poor self-image Have a poor self-image Be unable to love or trust others Be unable to love or trust others Be aggressive/disruptive (become bullies) Be aggressive/disruptive (become bullies) Use drugs/alcohol Use drugs/alcohol Act out in the classroom Act out in the classroom

Act out sexually Act out sexually Be self-destructive, self-abusive, or suicidal Be self-destructive, self-abusive, or suicidal Feel sad, passive, withdrawn, or depressed Feel sad, passive, withdrawn, or depressed Avoid going home after school Avoid going home after school Show fear of certain adults Show fear of certain adults

Child Assault Facts It is estimated that at least 1 out of every 4 girls and 1 out of every 6 boys are sexually abused by the end of their 18th year. It is estimated that at least 1 out of every 4 girls and 1 out of every 6 boys are sexually abused by the end of their 18th year. Over 80% of abuse cases involve a parent or step-parent. Over 80% of abuse cases involve a parent or step-parent.

Almost 50% of abused children are between the ages of Almost 50% of abused children are between the ages of Offenders come from all occupations and socio-economic backgrounds. Offenders come from all occupations and socio-economic backgrounds % of all abuse goes unreported % of all abuse goes unreported.