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January 2010 Newletter #3 |
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Over 3 million reports of child abuse are made every year in the United States. Almost five children die everyday as a result of child abuse, and of those who die, more than three out of four are under the age of four. Every ten seconds, a new report is made on child abuse, every ten seconds. Ninety percent of sexually abused children know their abuser is some sort of way, 68 percent are sexually abused by family. 31% of women in prison in the United States were abused as children. Over 60% of people in drug rehabilitation centers said they were abused or neglected as children. Approximately 30% of abused and neglected children will abuse their own children, continuing this vicious cycle. These statistics are astonishing and very upsetting to know how much abuse can affect lives. Besides the obvious physical and emotional pain, the aftermath results are even more depressing.
Emotional abuse or child neglect isn’t just on the surface although that’s fairly easy to see, the physical abuse. Unfortunately, the effects are far deeper than a bruise or broken bone. The lack of trust leads to relationship difficulties. If you can’t trust your parents or caregivers, then who can you trust? These are the people that you are supposed to be able to confide in, rely upon, but once that shatters, your whole perception on life is different. Abuse by a primary caregiver damages the most fundamental relationship as a child. Without a strong base with your caregiver, there can be difficulty maintaining relationships fearing being abused or controlled. This could also lead to unhealthy relationships in the adult period because they don’t know what a good relationship is supposed to be. Being told over and over again that you’re no good makes it hard to dispose of those feelings. As adults, they may not think they can do certain things, and settle for least instead of striving for the best.
Children need predictability, structure, clear boundaries, and the knowledge that their parents are protecting their safety. Abused children can’t properly express their emotions the rights, and usually submerge them, and lash out unexpectedly when they do. Usually as adults, they may turn to alcohol and drugs to compensate for their abuse at such a young age.
Emotional abuse can damage a child’s mental health/social development such as: constant belittling, shaming and humiliation, name calling, negative comparisons, telling a child that he/she is no good, worthless, bad, frequent yelling, threatening, or bullying. Also, ignoring or rejecting a child as punishment, giving the silent treatment, or limited physical contact. Child neglect being one and a very common form of child abuse. It is possible that sometimes a parent may become physically or mentally incapable of caring for their children, causing child neglect since they are now unable to properly care for their child.
Physical abuse involves physical harm or injury to the child which may or may not be intentional. abuse could be a result from severe discipline. Many parents claim that it isn’t abuse but a form of discipline, but discipline is supposed to teach a child what’s right from wrong and not have them live in fear. Physical abuse is usually unpredictable, a form of lashing out in anger, and using fear to control behavior.
Sexual abuse is another form of child abuse and tends to be more complicated because of its layers of guilt and shame. This makes it that much more difficult for children to come forward and seek help. They may worry that those they do tell won’t believe them, will be angry with them, or will split up their family. They may feel they are responsible for the abuse and that they brought it on themselves. This can lead to self-loathing and sexual problems as they get older, usually either with promiscuity or the inability to have serious and intimate relationships.
The following are warning signs of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse in children. If you feel you may know a child who is being abused in any of the stated way, look out for the signs and seek the proper authorities for help.
warning signs of emotional abuse in children
-excessively withdrawn, fearful, or anxious about doing something wrong
-shows extremes in behavior
-doesn’t seem to be attached to the parent or caregiver
warning signs of physical abuse in children
-frequent injuries or unexplained bruises, welts or cuts
-shies away from touch, flinches at sudden movements, or seems afraid to go home
-wears inappropriate clothing to cover up injuries, such as long-sleeved shirts on hot days
warning signs of neglect in children
-clothes are ill-fitting or dirty
-hygiene is consistently bad
-untreated illnesses and physical injuries
-frequently unsupervised
-frequently late or missing school
warning signs of sexual abuse in children
-trouble walking or sitting
-displays knowledge or interest in sexual acts inappropriate to his/her age
-makes strong efforts to avoid a person without an obvious reason
-runs away from home
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