2. Child Abuse and Neglect

3. Who Are the Abusers?
Child abusers are usually ordinary people caught in situations that are beyond their control.

4. Who Are the Abusers? PERSONAL RISK FACTORS Abused/Neglected as a child
Stress, Life Crisis
Illness
Substance Abuse
Marital Problems
Lack of Parenting Knowledge/Skills

5. ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS
Who Are the Abusers?
ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS
Economic Burdens
Social Isolation
Cultural differences
Acceptance of Violence

6. COMMON CHARACTERISTICS
Who Are the Abusers?
COMMON CHARACTERISTICS
Young adult – mid twenties without high school diploma
Depressed – has difficulty coping with stressful situations.
Living at or below poverty level
Has experienced violence first hand

7. Long Term Effects EMOTIONAL Fear, mistrust, guilt Anger, hostility
Poor self-esteem
Anxiety, depression

8. Long Term Effects SOCIAL Difficulty developing close relationships
As adults, they may have difficulty holding jobs.
1/3 are likely to become abusers.
Display inappropriate sexual behavior:
Females are 28 times likely to become involved in prostitution.

9. Long Term Effects
2/3 of abused and neglected children lean toward some type of substance abuse:
Smoking
Overeating
Drug abuse

10. Long Term Effects
Victims face additional difficulties during teenage years:
Delinquency is 59% more likely
Pregnancy
Low academic success

11. Long Term Effects MENTAL
Higher risk of developing mental health disorders.
May have cognitive delays: learning disabilities, ADD, ADHD

12. Long Term Effects PHYSICAL Bruises, broken bones, burns, brain damage
18,000 are permanently disabled each year: seizures, blindness, cerebral palsy.
Death for 1,500 in 2004

13. Long Term Effects EFFECTS ON FAMILY Guilt, mistrust Violent
Ineffective, non-supportive, poor role model

14. Long Term Effects EFFECTS ON CAREGIVERS
Inability to deal with disruptive behavior.
Unskilled in dealing with psychological issues of child.

15. Long Term Effects EFFECTS ON COMMUNITY
24 billion spent on the child welfare system
69 billion spent on health care, human services and education