Child Abuse

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Child Abuse
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What is child abuse exactly?

• The mistreatment of a child by an adult

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Scope of the Problem

• The impact of abuse is far greater than its
  immediate, visible effects.
• Abuse and neglect are associated with short-and
  long-term consequences that may include brain
  damage, developmental delays, learning disorders,
  problems forming relationships, aggressive
  behavior, and depression.

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• Survivors of child abuse and neglect may be at
  greater risk for problems later in lifesuch as
  low academic achievement, drug abuse, teen
  pregnancy, and criminal behaviorthat affect not
  just the child and family, but society as a whole.

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Fatalities(Deaths)

• Each day in the United States, more than 3
  children die as a result of child abuse in the
  home.
• Most of the children who die are younger than six
  years of age.
• More children (age four and younger) die from
  child abuse and neglect than any other single,
  leading cause of death for infants and young
  children.

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Statistics

• By age 18, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys have been
  sexually abused.
• It is estimated that 100,000 - 500,000 children
  are sexually abused each year.
• 85 of sexual assaults on children are committed
  by someone the child knows and usually trusts.
• Child abuse knows no boundaries. It happens in
  every class, race, ethnic group, educational, and
  economic group. No family is immune.
• A report of child abuse is made, on average,
  every 10 seconds.

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• Girls are sexually abused 4xs more often than
  boys, while boys are a greater risk of emotional
  neglect and serious injury.
• Women sexually abused before age 18 have lower
  levels of interpersonal function and social
  adjustment as adults and are less likely to form
  trusting relationships.
• It is estimated that 50 of all homes with adult
  violence also involve child abuse or neglect.

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Who Is Likely to be Abused?

• Boys and girls are almost equally likely to
  experience neglect and physical abuse
• 50 of victims are white
• 25 of victims are African American
• 15 of victims are Hispanic
• 2 of victims are American Indian/Alaska Natives
• 1 of victims are Asian/Pacific Islanders

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Types of Child Abuse

• Neglect 63
• Physical 19
• Sexual 10
• Emotional 8

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Physical Abuse

• Definition non-accidental injury of a child that
  leaves marks, scars, bruises, or broken bones.

Behavioral indicators of physical abuse wary of
physical contact with adults, behavioral
extremes (aggressive or withdrawn), frightened
of parents, afraid to go home, cheating,
stealing, lying (a sign that expectations in
the home are too high), layered clothing.
Physical indicators unexplained
bruises, burns, human bites, broken bones,
missing hair, scratches.
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Examples of Physical Abuse

• Hitting
• Choking
• Shaking
• Kicking
• Missing or loosened teeth

• Biting
• Burning
• Slapping
• Beating
• Injuries inflicted with objects

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Emotional Abuse

• Definition parental behavior, such as
  rejecting, terrorizing, ignoring, or isolating a
  child.
• Physical indicators of emotional abuse speech
  disorders, lags in physical development, failure
  to thrive.
• Behavioral indicators of emotional abuse habit
  disorders (sucking, biting, rocking), conduct
  disorders (withdrawal, destructiveness, cruelty),
  sleep disorders or inhibition of play, behavior
  extremes (aggressive or passive).

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Examples of Emotional Abuse

• Ignores childs physical/emotional needs
• Rejection/withdrawal of love
• Terrorizes/threatens child
• Cruel, bizarre/inconsistent punishment
• Isolates/restricts child for long periods
• Denies child food, shelter, or sleep as a
  punishment
• Corrupts child by encouraging antisocial/unaccepta
  ble behavior

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Neglect

• Definition failure of parents or caretakers to
  provide needed, age appropriate care including
  food, clothing, shelter, protection from harm,
  hygiene, and medical care.
• Physical indicators of neglect constant hunger,
  poor hygiene, excessive sleepiness, lack of
  appropriate supervision, unattended physical
  problems or medical needs, abandonment,
  inappropriate clothing fro weather conditions.
• Behavioral indicators of neglect begging or
  stealing food, frequent sleepiness, lack of
  appropriate supervision, unattended physical
  problem or medical needs, abandonment,
  inappropriate clothing for weather conditions.

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Sexual Abuse

• Definition any inappropriate sexual exposure or
  touch by an adult to a child or an older child to
  a younger child.
• Physical indicators of sexual abuse difficulty
  in walking or sitting, torn, stained, or bloody
  underclothing, pain or itching in genital area,
  bruises or bleeding in rectal/genital area,
  venereal disease.
• Behavioral indicators of sexual abuse
  age-inappropriate sexual knowledge/sexual touch,
  abrupt change in personality, withdrawn, poor
  peer relationships, unwilling to change for gym
  or participate in physical activities,
  promiscuous behavior/seductive behavior, drop in
  school performance/decline in school interest,
  sleep disturbances, regressive behavior (i.e.,
  bed wetting).

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Examples of Sexual Abuse

• Fondling
• Indecent exposure
• Showing pornographic materials
• Touching sexual organs
• (of the child or the adult)
• Attempted or actual sexual intercourse
• Child prostitution
• Incest

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Characteristics of Potentially Abusive Neglectful
Adults

• Poor parenting skills
• Unreasonable expectations for child
• Undue fear of spoiling child
• Parental attitudes/religious beliefs in necessity
  for harsh physical discipline
• Multi-generational history of violence or
  domestic abuse
• Stresses such as martial problem, presence of
  extended family members, lack of social contract,
  unemployment, poor housing and financial problems
• Severe emotional pressure or mental illness

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Influence of Substance Abuse

• Nearly 1/2 of substantiated cases of child
  neglect and abuse are associated with parental
  alcohol or drug abuse.
• It is estimated that 1 in 4 children in the U.S,
  (28 million) are living in a household with an
  alcoholic adult.
• Men and women serving time in the nations
  prisons and jails report a higher incidence of
  abuse as children that the general populations.

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Perpetrators of Child Abuse and Neglect

• are the very people responsible for the childs
  safety and well-being (including parents, other
  relatives, and babysitters).

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Who Abuses Children?Where Does it Happen?

• Most often, the abuser is someone the child
  knows, such as a parent, neighbor, or relative.
• Child abuse usually happens in the childs home.
  Sometimes it happens in other settings, such as
  child-care centers.

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Three major components of child abuse

• Child
• Care Giver
• Stress
• Child Abuse

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STRESSORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CHILD

• An unwanted child
• A hyperactive child
• A child that reminds the parent or someone they
  do not like
• A low birth-weight child

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STRESSORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PARENT

• Emotional immaturity
• Postpartum depression
• Unrealistic expectations
• Stress of unemployment
• Mental illness
• Low self-esteem

• Abused as a child
• Single parent
• Spouse is gone much of the time
• Divorce
• Alcohol or other drugs

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Prevention

• Never discipline your child when your anger is
  out of control.
• Participate in your childs activities and get to
  know your childs friends.
• Never leave your child unattended, especially in
  the car.
• Teach your child the difference between good
  touches and bad touches.
• When your child tells you he or she doesnt want
  to be with someone, this could be a red flag.
  Listen to them and believe what they say.
• Be aware of changes in your childs behavior or
  attitude.
• Teach your child what to do if you and your child
  become separated while away from home.
• Pay attention when someone shows greater than
  normal interest in your child.
• Make certain your childs school or day care
  center will release him/her only to you or
  someone you officially designate.

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The 5 Rs

• Raise the issue
• Reach out to kids and parents in your community
• Remember the risk factors

• Recognize the warning signs
• Report suspected abuse or neglect

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Reporting of Abuse

• Approximately 3 million reports of possible
  maltreatment are made to child protective service
  agencies each year.
• The actual incidence of abuse and neglect is
  estimated to the three times greater than the
  number reported to authorities.

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What to do

• Dont try to conduct an investigation, yourself.
• If the child tells you of the sexual abuse
  immediately after it occurred, DO NOT bathe the
  child, or wash or change his or her clothes.
• Let the child talk as much as he or she wishes.
• Understand that the child is probably having
  mixed feelings.
• Believe the child.
• Explain what you will do next to help them.

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Distinguishing Accidents From Abuse

• Location of the injury
• Common accidental injury locations include knees,
  elbows, shins and forehead. Suspicious locations
  are the protected body parts and soft tissue area
  (the face, back, thighs, genital areas, buttocks,
  or the backs of legs.

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Non-accidental injuries

• Non-accidental injuries may leave a print/pattern
  of a shoe, belt buckle, brush, a cigarette burn,
  etc.

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• Accidental injuries have a reasonable
  explanation. Abuse injuries may not match their
  explanation.

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How Do I Report?

• If you suspect a child is being harmed, contact
  your local child protective services or law
  enforcement agency.

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Reporting Requirement

• The statute (law) requires that anyone who knows
  or has reasonable cause to believe a child is
  neglected or abused must immediately report it to
  their local Department for Social Service office,
  law enforcement agency, or a reporting hotline.

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FAILURE TO REPORT

• The law clearly states that the failure to report
  child abuse and neglect can result in criminal
  charges that can carry a penalty of up to 90 days
  in jail and a fine of up to 250.

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WHEN MAKING A REPORT, TRY TO PROVIDE

• The childs identify name address, age, and
  location.
• Name and address of the childs parent, guardian,
  or person with custody.
• Date, nature and extent of abuse or neglect.
• The identity of the person(s) suspected of
  abusing or neglecting the child.
• Any other information helpful in determining the
  cause of the childs injury/neglect.

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What will happen when I make a report?

• Your report will be screened to see if enough
  information exists to conduct an investigation
• Investigators respond within a particular time
  period
• Investigators may speak with the child, parents,
  and other people in contact with the child
• Their purpose is to determine of abuse or neglect
  has occurred and if it may happen again

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What will happen when I make a report?

• If they find that no abuse or neglect occurred,
  the case will be closed.
• If the investigator feels the child is at risk of
  harm, the family may be referred to services to
  reduce the risk of future maltreatment
• In rare cases, the child may be removed from the
  home if their safety is unsure

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CONGRATULATIONS!!!

• YOUR WORK HERE IS DONE.