Child abuse is seldom a single event. Rather, it occurs with regularity, often increasing in violence. It crosses all boundaries of income, race, ethnicity, and religious faith. The following statistics sadly verify the above statement is true:
1.
Approximately
5 children die every day because of child abuse.
2.
1
out of 3 girls and 1 out of 5 boys will be sexually abused before they reach
age 18.
3.
90%
of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way. 68% are abused
by a family member.
4.
In
2012, 82.2% of child abuse perpetrators were found to be between the ages of
18-44, of which 39.6% were recorded to be between the ages of 25-34.
5.
In
the United States, more than 4 children die from child abuse and neglect on a
daily basis. Over 70% of these children are below the age of 3.
6.
Boys
(48.5%) and girls (51.2%) become victims at nearly the same rate.
7.
2.9
million cases of child abuse are reported every year in the United States.
8.
Children
who experience child abuse and neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as a
juvenile, 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult, and 30% more likely to
commit violence crime.
9.
About
80% of 21-year-olds who were abused as children met criteria for at least one
psychological disorder.
10. 14% of all men and 36% of all women in prison were abused
as children.
11. Abused children are less likely to practice safe sex,
putting them at greater risk for STDs. They’re also 25% more likely to
experience teen pregnancy.
“The
first step to make, in order to change the cycle of abuse, is to understand it
and not ignore it.” The word “abuse” means “improper use.” Here are signs that a
child could be suffering abuse:
1.
Neglect: failure to provide for a child’s physical
needs
Signs: poor hygiene, and poor nutrition and health
Signs: poor hygiene, and poor nutrition and health
2.
Physical abuse: any non-accidental
injury to a child, including hitting, kicking, slapping, shaking, burning,
pinching, hair-pulling, biting, choking, throwing, shoving, whipping, or
paddling
Signs: recurring injuries that are unexplainable or have guarded and inconsistent explanations, injury in uncommon places, severe aggression, or withdrawal
Signs: recurring injuries that are unexplainable or have guarded and inconsistent explanations, injury in uncommon places, severe aggression, or withdrawal
3.
Sexual abuse: any sexual act
between an adult and child, or the forced observation of sexual acts
Signs: excessive or age-inappropriate sexual curiosity, genital sores or pain, excessive withdrawal, or aggression
Signs: excessive or age-inappropriate sexual curiosity, genital sores or pain, excessive withdrawal, or aggression
4.
Psychological abuse (emotional/mental): any attitude or
behavior which interferes with a child’s mental health or social development,
including yelling, screaming, name-calling, shaming, negative comparisons to
others, and telling the child he is “bad, no good, worthless,” or “a mistake”
Signs: poor confidence and self-esteem, hiding eyes, developmental regression, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts or words, anxiety, or frequent stomachache or headache
Signs: poor confidence and self-esteem, hiding eyes, developmental regression, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts or words, anxiety, or frequent stomachache or headache
5.
Medical Neglect: failure to provide
needed medical care (This area of abuse is generally received as more
controversial, considering arguments regarding rights to refuse medical
services due to religious beliefs.)
Signs: major medical problems left untreated
Signs: major medical problems left untreated
How does one you deal
with abuse when it’s suspected rather than witnessing it? Here are some things
that can be done:
1. Have a relationship of trust with
your kids. If they feel like they can’t talk to you about other things, they
will rarely tell you about abuse.
2. Listen and believe. Don’t judge: One
of the most hurtful things to a child is when that child discloses abuse and is
not believed.
3. Ask only four questions.
Childhelp.org suggests that you ask only four questions and refrain from other
questions to keep from leading the child or making them feel like they are
being interrogated.
·
What
happened?
·
Who
did this to you?
·
Where
were you when this happened?
·
When
did this happen?
4. Provide safety and reassure the
child that it is not his or her fault. Do not send the child back into the
battle zone, if you can help it. One of the most common complaints that abused
children have is “______ should have kept me safe!”
5. Take Action. Report the abuse to the
police and to child protective services and let them investigate. You can make
the report anonymously, if you would like.
6. If you suspect abuse or if a child
reports abuse to you, you become that child’s greatest advocate. As we listen
and take appropriate action, we help that child to trust the world again as
they release themselves from self-blame and doubt. We have the power to instill
cycles of growth, rather than cycles of destruction
“Research on child abuse suggests that religious
beliefs can foster, encourage, and justify the abuse of children. When contempt
for sex underlies teachings, this creates a breeding ground for abuse.” (Mary
Garden)[i]
[i] Sources used:
·
“11 Facts about Child Abuse”
by dosomething.org
·
“What
Is Child Abuse?” by Kids Matter Inc.
·
“5
Signs of Child Abuse” by
Andy Smithson
·
“5
Things to Do When You Suspect Child Abuse” by Andy
Smithson
Post inspired by a TV
commercial on this topic.
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