Altruism in Society Campaign Presentation PSY/400 Team D Josie Guevara, Eduardo Manuel, Rachel Soto, Nicole Ghanayem, & Alyssa Wallin PSY/400 June 30, 2014 Stefanie Krasner

STOP CHILD ABUSE ("Hand ensemble", 2014) According to Blending Perspectives and Building Common Ground (1999), “Child abuse and neglect is a widespread problem in American society. A child of any age, sex, race, religion and socioeconomic background can fall victim to maltreatment, which may include both acts of commission and those of omission” (para. 1). ("Hand ensemble", 2014)

Nature of Child Abuse Neglect Emotionally Mistreated Children The Blending Perspectives and Building Common Ground (1999) website discusses neglect is when a parent or parents fail to provide for their child or children with basic needs like not clothing them, not feeding them, not watching them, not having a shelter for them, and not having medical care for them. Reasons a child or children are neglected could be from their parent or parents being an alcoholic, using drugs, and/or having depression. According to National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System in 1996 there were sixty-one percent of reported cases of neglect with families who have low income. Parents who have an emotionally mistreated child or children frequently blame the child or children for the troubles and disregard the actuality of the issue (Blending Perspectives and Building Common Ground, 1999).

History of Child Abuse Physical Abuse Sexual Abuse The Blending Perspectives and Building Common Ground (1999) website discusses in the year 1996 there was twenty-four percent of proven child mistreatment accounts involving physical abuse. The harm that is done might be the outcome is separate incident or recurrent incidents that could span in harshness from slight bruising to death. The data from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System in 1996 there was a thousand and seventy-seven children that died in the United States because of mistreatment. Half was from physical abuse and the other half was from neglect. There were children younger than four years old reported for seventy-six percent of accidents. Sexual abuse could range from emotional trauma to violence. The most accounted cases included incest, which is when sexual abuse happens between close family members. It mostly happens between a father or stepfather and daughter. It could also between other relatives like cousins, uncles, and grandmothers (Blending Perspectives and Building Common Ground, 1999).

Physical Effects of Child Abuse Society      475 × 550 - netterimages.com Physical Effects of Child Abuse Society Brain Injuries Bruises & Welts Lacerations & Burns Disabilities (Kaufman, 2014) Physical violence, unlike other forms of abuse, may not always leave bodily evidence. Lasting brain injuries may be more difficult to detect and may lead to slowed cognitive development. Although the physical effects are most commonly associated with bruises, welts, lacerations or burns. There is several evidence to support the effects child abuse has on a child, and the lifelong impact it has on his or her body and mind. (Collins, 2014 ) (“Toddler with Bruises,” 2014)

Psychological, Emotional, and Behavioral Effects of Child Abuse on Society Alcohol & Drug Abuse Depression, Anxiety, PTSD Self-Harm – E.g. Suicide, Cutting Cognitive Development Poor School Performance, Relationships, & Self-Esteem The lasting implications of child abuse can be far reaching and the consequences detrimental to the psychological health of the abused. Common after effects leading to depression and anxiety, or alcohol and drug abuse may only scratch the surface of the physical presence of deeper emotional issues. Poor cognitive development may also translate to lowered educational performance, suffered interpersonal relationships and struggles with self esteem. ("More than bruises", 2014)

First Element of Persuasion How the Message is Presented Education on what to look for Open communication with someone you trust The first element of persuasion is how the message is presented. Education is important with any aspect of life, especially when it comes to social issues such as child abuse. Child abuse is something that isn’t talked about enough in schools even though education is the first step in decreasing social issues. Children are so scared to speak out about their abuse in fear of getting in trouble, especially if the abuse is coming from home. We need to educate not only children, but adults as well on what to look for when it comes to child abuse, what to do when abuse is present, and who to talk to. So many children suffer from child abuse, whether it is mental or physical, and sometimes the signs aren’t always that obvious. Education of the warning signs as well as finding somewhere to get help is the key to helping decrease and eventually put an end to child abuse. Open communication with someone a child trusts, such as a teacher or a family friend is sometimes the key to how children can be educated.

Second Element of Persuasion The Communicator Credibility of those educating Exercise the ability to be trustworthy The second element of persuasion is the communicator. We have stated that education is the best way to decrease and eventually put an end to child abuse. Although education is an important technique used to expose child abuse, there is another very important aspect; the communicator. If children or adults cannot trust the credibility of their education source, they will not be able to fully comprehend the issue at hand. The communicator must exercise the ability to be trustworthy in order for an individual to be receptive to the education. Children learn better when they trust their teacher or their parent that is educating them or giving them information. Without trust, there will be no conclusive way that an individual will be receptive, especially a child or an adult that has already been through or is going through child abuse. Being a victim of child abuse may bring out the inability to trust people, making it harder for them to share what they are going through or have gone through in the past.

Elements Applied Using Social Exchange Theory

Strategy Implication - Intervention

Prevention

References Blending Perspectives and Building Common Ground. (1999). The Nature of Child Maltreatment. Retrieved from http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/subabuse99/chap3.htm Hand ensemble [Children's hands]. (2014). Retrieved from https://cfac.byu.edu/2012/09/05/area-percussionists-collaborate-for-8-hands- ensemble-concert-sept-14/ Myers, D. (2010). Introducing Social Psychology, Social Psychology (10 ed.). McGrawl-Hill.