1. Child Abuse and Neglect
Week 7
Child Abuse and Neglect
Course: Health Education for Young Children
Department: Child and Family Studies
Instructor: Kyung Eun Jahng 1

2. Child Abuse
Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which
results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or
exploitation; or An act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk
of serious harm
Physical/Sexual/Emotional Abuse
Neglect (Does this apply to children from low-income families only?)
Combinations

3. Signs of Physical Abuse
CHILD
1. Has unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, or black eyes
2. Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school
3. Seems frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home
4. Shrinks at the approach of adults
5. Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver
PARENTS (OR ADULT CAREGIVER)
1. Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for the child's injury
2. Describes the child as "evil," or in some other very negative way
3. Uses harsh physical discipline with the child
4. Has a history of abuse as a child

4. Signs of Child Neglect CHILD 1. Is frequently absent from school
2. Begs or steals food or money
3. Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses
4. Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor
5. Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather
6. Abuses alcohol or other drugs
7. States that there is no one at home to provide care
PARENTS (OR ADULT CAREGIVER)
1. Appears to be indifferent to the child
2. Seems apathetic or depressed
3. Behaves irrationally or in a bizarre manner
4. Is abusing alcohol or other drugs

5. Signs of Emotional Abuse
CHILD
Shows extremes in behavior, such as overly compliant or demanding behavior,
extreme passivity, or aggression
2. Is either inappropriately adult (parenting other children, for example) or
inappropriately infantile (frequently rocking or head-banging, for example)
3. Is delayed in physical or emotional development
4. Has attempted suicide
5. Reports a lack of attachment to the parent
PARENTS (OR ADULT CAREGIVER)
1. Constantly blames, belittles, or berates the child
2. Is unconcerned about the child and refuses to consider offers of help for the
child's problems
3. Overtly rejects the child

6. (In)direct Causes of Child Abuse
<Parent-related factors>
parents’ mental defect
Parents’ experiences of child abuse or domestic violence
Parents’ attitudes toward punishment
Parental characteristics: Parents’ parenting experience and age
<Child-related factors>
Child’s age, sex, temperament, health
<Socioeconomic characteristics of a family>
1. Household income, poverty
2. Employment status
Family structure

7. Poverty and Child Abuse
Is poverty directly associated with child abuse? Does it affect the occurrence of
child abuse?
What would the relations among poverty, stress/frustration, and
parent-child interactions be like?
Think of other poverty-related factors affecting child abuse.
Mother-led single parent families go through double burdens which may affect
the occurrence of physical abuse of children.

8. Immediate and Long-term Impacts of Child Sexual Abuse
psychological difficulties
PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder)
Emotional distress: depression, anxiety, anger
Impaired sense of self
Avoidance: substance abuse/addiction, suicide, indiscriminate sexual behavior
Interpersonal difficulties

9. Let’s Draw a Picture of a Stranger!

10. Questions 1. Why do children follow strangers?
2. Why do you think the children in the experiment trusted and followed the
stranger?
3. What should we teach children about how to deal with the situation where
a stranger approaches?

11. Lures Affection lure Assistance lure Pet lure Bribery lure
Emergency lure
Fun & game lure
Name recognition lure
Friendship lure
Online lure

12. Good Boy Syndrome
How does “Good Boy Syndrome” affect the way children react to the situation
where a stranger asks for help?
Then, should we tell children “Never help others who you don’t know”?