Child Abuse
Child abuse is mistreatment from a parent or a caregiver through actions or inactions that may cause an injury, emotional harm, or even death. More than three million cases of child abuse are reported annually in the United States. Child abuse is a huge epidemic that needs to be put to an end. It is illegal to abuse a child and this act can lead to life imprisonment. It can take numerous forms such as physical, emotional, neglect, and sexual abuse (Christian et al.). This abuse can occur at home, in school, in organizations, and in any place that a child resides. According to research, many child abuse cases are reported in households with cases of alcoholism, substance abuse, and anger issues. Different authorities have come up with their stands towards compulsory reporting of child abuse. This essay will explore the different types of child abuse, its symptoms, and its effects.
The World Health Organization as of 2006, distinguished four types of child abuse; physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. Many people disagree on what constitutes physical abuse, however, what is common is that it constitutes intentional harm. For example, burning, scratching, breaking bones, beating, strangling, or even punching a child is a form of physical abuse (Christian et al.). Numerous countries have defined corporal punishment as a form of physical abuse in children. It is estimated that 28.3% of adults report being physically abused when they were children. Physical abuse can lead to psychological and physical difficulties for a child in the future such as post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorders, substance abuse, aggression, and isolation. This type of abuse has been associated with homelessness in adulthood. Some of the symptoms of physical abuse may include, unexplained black eye, injuries that may show a pattern, acting suspiciously, and cringing when being touched.
Sexual abuse, on the other hand, is when an adult abuses a child for sexual stimulation. It may also include when a child performs a sexual act without knowledge of what is happening even without any form of force or violence. Some of the activities that may involve sexual abuse include rape, non-penetrative sexual acts such as masturbating and kissing, watching others perform the sexual act, or even telling inappropriate sexual jokes. Studies conducted show that one in four girls and one in eight boys are sexually assaulted before they are eighteen years, and in general one out of twenty children is sexually abused annually. Some of the symptoms of sexual child abuse include exhibiting sexual knowledge that is beyond their years, disappearing from home, having nightmares, pregnancy, and talking about being sexually abused (Van der Kolk). Some of the physical signs that may indicate a child is being sexual abused includes having difficulty when walking or sitting down. Sexual abuse is often done by a person known to the child hence remains secretive since the child fears to expose them.
Another type of child abuse includes emotional abuse; this happens when people regularly say things and behave in a certain way that shows the child that they are worthless, unloved, inadequate, or unvalued. Emotional abuse can lead to long term effects on the health of a child. Emotional abuse on a child may take the form of belittling them, silencing them and not allowing them to talk, threatening them, limiting their physical contact, and treating another person badly in front of them (Van der Kolk). All types of child abuse may include some level of emotional abuse although it may occur on its own. Victims of emotional abuse may act by isolating themselves from the abuser, seeming reserved, afraid, or nervous, developing mental problems, and having self-esteem issues.
Lastly, child neglect is also another form of child abuse that involves a parent or caregiver constantly failing to meet a child’s needs, either intentionally or with irresponsible disregard for a child’s wellbeing. This type of abuse may take the form of physical neglect such as withholding shelter, food, clothing, and other needs. It may also take the form of emotional neglect that includes suppression of love, comfort, or affection (Mulder et al. pp.199). Moreover, educational neglect is characterized by failing to provide educational resources to children to participate in school work. Lastly, it may take the form of medical neglect where the child is suppressed from healthcare. Neglected children are likely to experience psychosocial and physical development that may result in impairment. Some of the symptoms of a neglected child may include constant bad hygiene, missing school regularly, ill-fitting and dirty clothes, and untreated physical injuries.
Raising children is one of the most difficult tasks that can trigger frustration and anger in parents and caregivers. This frustration mainly occurs to parents who have grown in an environment that they were being abused therefore bringing back memories of their childhood. Recognizing this problem is the first step to stopping child abuse in many families and institutions. Through these recognitions, parents and caregivers can be able to stop this pattern of child abuse. If any person recognizes that a child is being abused in any of the forms mentioned above, it is important that one reports such a case and encourage the child by giving unconditional support.
Works Cited
Christian, Cindy W., Alex V. Levin, and COUNCIL ON CHILD ABUSE. “The eye examination in the evaluation of child abuse.” Pediatrics 142.2 (2018): e20181411.
Mulder, Tim M., et al. “Risk factors for child neglect: A meta-analytic review.” Child abuse & neglect 77 (2018): 198-210.
Van der Kolk, Bessel A. “This issue: child abuse & victimization.” Psychiatric Annals 35.5 (2017): 374-378.