National Child Abuse Prevention Month

By Terry Orr

What is Child Abuse?

Child abuse is the physical, sexual or emotional mistreatment or neglect of a child or children. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department for Children And Families (DCF) define child maltreatment as any act or series of acts of commission or omission by a parent or other caregiver that results in harm, potential for harm, or threat of harm to a child. Child abuse can occur in a child's home, or in the organizations, schools or communities the child interacts with. There are four major categories of child abuse: neglect, physical abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, and sexual abuse.

Different jurisdictions have developed their own definitions of what constitutes child abuse for the purposes of removing a child from his/her family and/or prosecuting a criminal charge. According to the Journal of Child Abuse and Neglect, child abuse is "any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation, an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm." (Source: Wikipedia)

Child Abuse Types (can take several forms – but the four main types are):

1. Physical - physical aggression directed at a child by an adult.
2. Sexual - is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent abuses a child for sexual stimulation.
3. Psychological/Emotional - is defined as the production of psychological and social deficits in the growth of a child as a result of behavior such as loud yelling, coarse and rude attitude, inattention, harsh criticism, and denigration of the child's personality.
4. Neglect - is the failure of a parent or other person with responsibility for the child to provide needed food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision to the degree that the child's health, safety, and well-being are threatened with harm.

10 Ways to Prevent Child Abuse:

1. BE A NURTURING PARENT Children need to know that they are special, loved, and capable of following their dreams.
2. HELP A FRIEND, NEIGHBOR, OR RELATIVE Being a parent isn't always easy. Offer a helping hand - take care of the kids so the parents can rest or spend time together.
3. HELP YOURSELF When big or little problems pile up and you feel overwhelmed or out of control, take a time out. Don’t take it out on your kids.
4. IF YOUR BABY CRIES It can be frustrating hearing your baby cry. Learn what to do if your baby won’t stop crying. Never shake a baby - shaking can result in severe injuries or death.
5. GET INVOLVED Ask your local community leaders, clergy, library and schools to develop services to meet the needs of healthy children and families.
6. HELP TO DEVELOP PARENTING RESOURCES IN YOUR COMMUNUTY See about organizing a Parent Resource Center or be sure families know about the parent helpline at 1-800-FLA-LOVE.
7. PROMOTE PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS Teaching children, parents and teachers prevention strategies can help keep children safe.
8. http://www.cmskids.com/families/child_protection_safety/documents/10_Ways_to_Prevent_Child_Abuse.pdfWatching violent films, TV programs, and video games can harm young children.
9. VOLUNTEER AT A LOCAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM For information on volunteer opportunities, call 1-800-CHILDREN.
10. REPORT SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT If you have a reason to think a child has been or may be harmed, call and make a report: 1-800- 96-ABUSE. (Source: Child Medical Services)

“The 2013 Resource Guide for Preventing Child Maltreatment and Promoting Well-Being: A Network for Action” is available for review and download at http://www.carescac.org/april-is-child-abuse-prevention-month/1201/.

They are many good resources available to parents, caregivers, friends, family members and communities to assist in preventing Child Abuse – all it takes is being Proactive – and doing something to help a child! As Nike states – Just Do It!

References and Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_abuse

http://www.childabusecouncil.org/what-is-child-abuse.html

http://www.carescac.org/april-is-child-abuse-prevention-month/1201/

http://www.childrensadvocacycenter.org/article_20WaysToPreventChildAbuse.cfm

http://www.cms-kids.com/families/child_protection_safety/documents/10_Ways_to_Prevent_Child_Abuse.pdf

Child Abuse – 2012 Follow-up

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By Terry Orr

Last year we focused on Signs of Physical, Emotional and Sexual Abuse (http://kisbyto.blogspot.com/2011/08/child-abuse-facts-for-parents.html) and this year our focus in about what is child abuse and breaking the terrible cycle.

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What is child abuse?

Child abuse is definitely more than bruises, burns or black eyes. While physical abuse can be easily noticed or observed, other types of abuse such as child neglection or emotional abuse are hard to notice, and needless to say, it leaves a long and deep lasting scars that can never be forgotten.

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There are also other types of child abuse such as substance abuse, medical abuse, sexual abuse and verbal abuse. All these abuse can cause the child to suffer from long term psychological problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), clinical depression and anxiety.

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"Child abuse is a problem no one really talks about. Abuse and neglect is the number 1 cause of injury to children in the country. More children die of abuse or neglect than of natural causes" ~ Donna Miller

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Did You Know:

• Almost five children die every day because of child abuse. And more than three out of four children are under the age of 4.
• Abused children are 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy.
• 1 out of 3 girls and 1 out of 5 boys will be sexually abused before they reach eighteen.
• Most of the child abuse parents have a history of child abuse themselves.
• 90% of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way; 68% are abused by family members.
• About 30% of abused and neglected children will later abuse their own children, continuing the horrible cycle of abuse.

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The Cycle MUST be broken!

Break the cycle of abuse with the following steps:

• Deal with past abuse. Without intervention, abuse continues to affect you. Talking and acknowledging what happened helps you heal, which breaks the cycle of abuse.
• Recognize that pushing memories of abuse away often backfires. People find themselves repeating patterns on an unconscious level because they haven't dealt with the cycle of abuse in a healthy manner.
• Realize that some victims of child abuse don't abuse their children, but turn that anger inward and suffer from depression. Children of the abused are at risk of neglect or of being abused by someone else unless you break the cycle.
• Consider making an appointment for therapy. Talking with a trained therapist can help you work through your memories in order to recognize and break from abusive situations. Or attend a support group. Sometimes being with others who have suffered similar experiences helps people open up.
• Understand that abusers are at fault, not the person who was abused. Grieve for what you lost and find constructive ways to deal with feelings of anger. Learn appropriate communication skills in order to improve communication with others in a healthy manner.
• Take note of problems with relationships. Consider that relationship problems often relate to a history of abuse. Reliving abuse is common and problems to victims who can't have a trusting, intimate relationship.
• Seek assistance from a victim's aid group or domestic violence agency. Many organizations exist to provide a safe place to stay or provide legal information and emotional support.

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(Read more: How to Break the Cycle of Abuse | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2157545_break-cycle-abuse.html#ixzz24UrTQizA)

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Child Abuse Facts for Parents

Signs of Physical, Emotional and Sexual Abuse

Child Abuse Facts

Child abuse is harm to, or neglect of, a child by another person, whether adult or child. Child abuse happens in all cultural, ethnic, and income groups. Child abuse can be physical, emotional - verbal, sexual or through neglect. Abuse may cause serious injury to the child and may even result in death.

Signs of possible abuse include:

Physical Abuse

• Unexplained or repeated injuries such as welts, bruises, or burns.
• Injuries that are in the shape of an object (belt buckle, electric cord, etc.)
• Injuries not likely to happen given the age or ability of the child. For example, broken bones in a child too young to walk or climb.
• Disagreement between the child's and the parent's explanation of the injury.
• Unreasonable explanation of the injury.
• Obvious neglect of the child (dirty, undernourished, inappropriate clothes for the weather, lack of medical or dental care).
• Fearful behavior.

Emotional - Verbal Abuse

• Aggressive or withdrawn behavior.
• Shying away from physical contact with parents or adults.
• Afraid to go home.

Sexual Abuse

• Child tells you he/she was sexually mistreated.
• Child has physical signs such as:
• difficulty in walking or sitting.
• stained or bloody underwear.
• genital or rectal pain, itching, swelling, redness, or discharge
• bruises or other injuries in the genital or rectal area.
• Child has behavioral and emotional signs such as:
• difficulty eating or sleeping.
• soiling or wetting pants or bed after being potty trained.
• acting like a much younger child.
• excessive crying or sadness.
• withdrawing from activities and others.
• talking about or acting out sexual acts beyond normal sex play for age.

Abuse can happen in any family, regardless of any special characteristics. However, in dealing with parents, be aware of characteristics of families in which abuse may be more likely:

• Families who are isolated and have no friends, relatives, church or other support systems.
• Parents who tell you they were abused as children.
• Families who are often in crisis (have money problems, move often).
• Parents who abuse drugs or alcohol.
• Parents who are very critical of their child.
• Parents who are very rigid in disciplining their child.
• Parents who show too much or too little concern for their child.
• Parents who feel they have a difficult child.
• Parents who are under a lot of stress.
• If you suspect child abuse of any kind, you should:
• Take the child to a quiet, private area.
• Gently encourage the child to give you enough information to evaluate whether abuse may have occurred.
• Remain calm so as not to upset the child.
• If the child reveals the abuse, reassure him/her that you believe him/her, that he/she is right to tell you, and that he/she is not bad.
• Tell the child you are going to talk to persons who can help him/her.
• Return the child to the group (if appropriate).

Record all information.

• Immediately report the suspected abuse to the proper local authorities. In most states, reporting suspected abuse is required by law.
• If you employ other providers or accept volunteers to help you care for the children in your facility, you should check their background for a past history of child abuse or other criminal activity. Contact your local police department. Many states require that child care providers have background and criminal history checks.
• Dealing with child abuse is emotionally difficult for a provider. As a child care provider, you should get training in recognizing and reporting child abuse before you are confronted with a suspected case. If you suspect a case of child abuse, you may need to seek support from your local health department, child support services department, or other sources within your area.