| Child Abuse |
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| Over three million children (3.3million) in the US, between the ages of 2 and 17 are at risk of exposure to domestic violence each year. When children witness their mothers being abused by a male partner (father, stepfather, boyfriend), they are affected in many ways. According to one study, 43% suffer panic attack and anxiety, 60 % act out with siblings, 53% act out with parents, and 48% suffer with depression. These children also experience poor health, low self-esteem, sleeping difficulties, feelings of helplessness, feeling worthless. (The picture below highlights the negative impact that domestic violence has upon children.) |
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| Abuse is a complex problem to which we have responded with "cuts and bruises" strategies that have led us in circles. Abuse is a two-victim circumstance. There is the real victim who has been molested physically and emotionally and there is the rationalizing perpetrator who believes that he or she was so powerless that abuse was his or her only recourse. We know this is not true, but it is a common theme in abuse cases. |
| What is Child Abuse?
-NEGLET -PHYSICAL ABUSE -SEXUAL ABUSE -EMOTIONAL ABUSE Neglect Neglect is when a parent/caregiver does not provide for the basic emotional and physical needs of the child on an ongoing basis. Examples of how a child may be negletted is by not recieving the following: -food -clothing -housing -supervision -safe surroundings -personal health care -medical and emotional care -education Children who are neglected physically and emotionally may not develop normally. Some children may suffer permanent damage. Physical Abuse Physical abuse includes anything a parent/caregiver does that results in physical harm to a child. Physical abuse may happen if a child is punished harshly,even though sometimes the parent or caregiver might not even mean to hurt the child. Examples of physical abuse include: -bruises -marks in the shape of objects or handprints -shaking -burns -human bite marks -fractures of the skull, arms, legs and ribs -female genital mutilation Physical abuse may result in a minor injury (such as a bruise) to a more serious injury which could cause lasting damage or death (for example from shaking a child). Sexual Abuse Sexual abuse occurs when a person uses power over a child, and involves the child in any sexual act. This abuser is more powerful because of age, intelligence, physical strength, control over the child. The offender gets the child to participate by using threats, bribes, lying and taking advantage of the child's trust. Examples are -fondling (touching the child in a sexual way) -getting the child to touch the adult inappropriately -oral sex -inserting fingers, penis, or objects in the vagina or anus -exposing oneself -Violations of bodily privacy Forcing a child to undress, spying on a child in the bathroom or bedroom. -Performing sexual acts in front of a child -telling "dirty" stories -allowing a child to watch pornography -Sexual exploitation through child prostitution or child pornography. Most sexual offenders are people the children know. Some signs of emotional child abuse: -Apathy, depression. -Hostility. -Difficulty concentrating. The U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse suggests that domestic violence may be the single major precursor to child abuse and neglect fatalities in this country. Studies suggest that between 3.3 and 10 million children are exposed to domestic violence annually. In a national survey of more than 6,000 American families, 50 percent of the men who frequently assaulted their wives also frequently abused their children. One study of 2,245 children and teenagers found that recent exposure to violence in the home was a significant factor in predicting a childs violent behavior. Children who are exposed to domestic violence are more likely to exhibit behavioral and physical health problems including depression, anxiety, and violence towards peers. They are also more likely to attempt suicide, abuse drugs and alcohol, run away from home, engage in teenage prostitution, and commit sexual assault crimes. A recent study of low-income pre-school children in Michigan found that nearly half (46.7 percent) of the children in the study had been exposed to at least one incident of mild or severe violence in the family. Children who had been exposed to violence suffered symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, such as bed-wetting or nightmares, and were at greater risk than their peers of having allergies, asthma, gastrointestinal problems, headaches and flu. Children with a history of molestation are 10 times more likely to attempt suicide. |