Child Abuse

What is child abuse? Any mistreatment or neglect that results in emotional or physical injury.

Types of child abuse

Physical Abuse Deliberately injuring a child by hitting, shaking, kicking, burning, or throwing objects at the child.

What would you do if your baby wouldn’t stop crying?

Show video clip use-of-baby-death-shaking/

Shaken Baby Syndrome You knew your baby would cry. But, did you know how frustrating that crying could be when you have tried everything to comfort your baby, and she just keeps crying? Dealing with a crying baby can be very hard, and parents often don't realize just how frustrating it is until they are in a stressful situation. No one thinks they will shake their infant, but research shows crying as the number one trigger leading caregivers to violently shake and injure babies. No matter how frustrated you get... Never Shake a Baby

What is Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) and how can it happen? Brain tissue easily damaged as it moves inside the skull. Jostling an infant back and forth and playing horsey ride and tossing the kid up in the air can all cause shaken baby syndrome.

What Happens: The brain rotates within the skull cavity, injuring or destroying brain tissue. When shaking occurs, blood vessels feeding the brain can be torn, leading to bleeding around the brain. Blood pools within the skull, sometimes creating more pressure within the skull and possibly causing additional brain damage. Retinal (back of the eye) bleeding is very common

Immediate Consequences: Breathing may stop or be compromised Extreme irritability Seizures Limp arms and legs or rigidity/posturing Decreased level of consciousness Vomiting; poor feeding Inability to suck or swallow Heart may stop Death

Long-Term Consequences: Learning disabilities Physical disabilities Visual disabilities or blindness Hearing impairment Speech disabilities Cerebral Palsy Seizures Behavior disorders Cognitive impairment Death

Babies' heads are relatively large and heavy, making up about 25% of their total body weight. Their neck muscles are too weak to support such a disproportionately large head. Babies' brains are immature and more easily injured by shaking. Babies' blood vessels around the brain are more susceptible to tearing than older children or adults. Why…

When… Often, perpetrators shake an infant or child out of frustration or anger. This most often occurs when the baby won't stop crying. Other triggering events include toilet training difficulties and feeding problems.

…the effect of alcohol on your unborn child… FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME

? QUESTIONS ? What if I only drink a little while pregnant? I don’t drink the hard stuff… is that okay? Will I be okay if I stop the last few months. Beer doesn’t count, does it?

Drinking alcohol, any kind and any time, during your pregnancy may be harmful. If you drink while pregnant, your baby will be at risk to be born with FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME is caused by drinking alcoholic beverages while pregnant. The cause of this birth defect is considered to be “environmental”.

Who is affected: Any UNBORN CHILD, male or female, of any race might be affected by the ALCOHOL that a MOTHER CONSUMES WHILE SHE IS PREGNANT. FAS in 1 to 2 births / 1,000 in U.S. each year. When a pregnant women drinks, the alcohol will be passed on to the unborn child in the blood through the placenta. Because of the size of the unborn baby, the alcohol level will be higher than the level in the mother.

What are the CHARACTERISTICS of FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME (FAS)? –Leading cause of mental retardation, or some degree of mental disability –Short attention span –Hyperactivity –Social and behavior problems –Abnormally small at birth –Small head circumference –Small, widely spaced eyes –Flat mid-face –Thin upper lip and underdeveloped jaw

FETAL ALCOHOL EFFECT (FAE) Less severe set of FAS symptoms FAE in 3-4 births / 1,000 in U.S. each year Mothers who drink moderately or lightly while pregnant may have a child with Fetal Alcohol Effect (FAE) The brain of babies with FAE may have varying degrees of damage.

What is the TREATMENT or PREVENTION of FAS? FAS and related conditions are 100% PREVENTABLE!FAS and related conditions are 100% PREVENTABLE! STOP consuming alcoholic drinks BEFORE you become pregnant. Avoid ALL alcohol products while you are pregnant.

Drug addicted babies When you are pregnant, it is important that you watch what you put into your body. Consumption of illegal drugs is not safe for the unborn baby or for the mother. Studies have shown that consumption of illegal drugs during pregnancy can result in miscarriage, low birth weight, premature labor, placental abruption, fetal death, and even maternal death.

Emotional Abuse Deliberately injuring a child’s self-concept and emotional well-being. Involves verbal attacks, threats.

Verbal Verbal attacks, threats, or humiliation.

Sexual Abuse Any sexual contact with a child such as incest, fondling, exposure, obscene language, or inappropriate touching.

Neglect Failing to adequately provide for the child’s safety, physical, and emotional needs.

A major factor that could contribute to child abuse is…

STRESS - What are some things that could cause stress for a parent?

Physical Signs - Bruises- Burns - Welts- Missing hair - Broken Bones

How might a child act who is being abused? -Aggression - Withdrawn - Unusual fears - Crave attention - Hunger - Stealing

How might an abusive adult act? - Defensive - Tells conflicting stories - Punish child in public - Lack of concern for child - Name calling

What are some ways that child abuse can be prevented?

-No teen pregnancies- Education - Parental Preparedness- Relief sources

How can victims get help? - Call National abuse hotline Talk to a trusted adult, teacher or church leader - Talk to a counselor - Family service agencies - Child protective services - Support groups

LOVE CHILDREN

Safe Haven Law

Address the beginning of the letter personally. (Dear Ethan, Dear Sweet Girl/Boy, or Dear Baby Shelton, etc. Begin the letter by telling them the reason for the letter. Let them know that it is for his/her 8 th birthday and that you wrote the letter when you were in 9 th grade. Start by saying something like, “My wonderful son/daughter, as I write this I am looking forward to the day you will read this, on your 8 th birthday. Write about the hobbies and activities that you are involved in/enjoy doing, and ones you may think that they are involved in. You can only write what you know is common knowledge for 8 year olds. Tell them what you like to do every day. What classes are you taking? What are your favorites and least favorites? What is your social and dating life like? End the letter by telling them what you hope their life will be like and what you hope your life will be like when you have him/her. Tell them your goals for them and for yourself. Assignment

Elijahs Story