Child Abuse
Child abuse is defined as intentional acts that result in physical or emotional harm to children. Over 2.9 million cases of child abuse were reported last year in this country (NCPCA). It occurs to both male and female children and happens in all income, racial, religious and ethnic groups. Child abuse is seen in many forms including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. Some children may experience more than one form of abuse.
Physical indicators of child abuse may include severe beatings, bite marks, burns, unusual bruises, lacerations, strangulation, broken bones, scalding, welts, scars, and swelling. These are deliberate acts of violence that injure or even kill children.
Sexual abuse occurs when adults use children for sexual gratification or expose them to sexual activities. It can be so subtle that a child may not know it is happening. Forms of sexual abuse may include kissing, fondling, touching, exposing a child to pornographic materials and or to sexual activity, having a child pose, undress or perform in a sexual fashion, pressuring a child to perform oral, vaginal or anal sex. There are several behavioral and physical indicators of sexual abuse including but not limited to unusual interest in or knowledge of sexual activity, promiscuity, seductive behavior, change in appetite, sleep disturbances bedwetting nightmare, depression, anger, inappropriate dressing, sexual drawing or stories. Other indicators that may be seen are trauma to the mouth or genitals, excessive masturbation, torn or blood stained clothing, pain or discomfort in the genital area or attempts to touch adults children’s or animals’ genital region. Often children do not tell of sexual abuse because of fear.
Emotional abuse of children is commonly defined as the tearing down of another human being. This type of abuse attacks the children’s self-esteem and self –concept and the victim comes to see him or herself as unworthy of love and affection. Children that have been emotionally abuses are shamed, humiliated, terrorized, and rejected. They are also ignored, isolated and corrupted. Emotional abuse can be very hard to identify and define yet the effects often leave hidden scares, destructive behavior, and poor development.
Neglect of a child is when a parent or caregiver does not provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, education, medical care, supervision or guardianship. Indicators of neglect may include dirty skin and clothing, poor personal hygiene, inappropriate clothing, drowsiness, begging or stealing food, hoarding food, gorging self, in need of dental care or glasses, has no lunch money, is withdrawn, etc.
Child abuse in any form is devastating.
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