SAra Sumira

Child Abuse

The Tiponi Foundation is a non-profit organization formed to serve multiple purposes. The Tiponi Foundation is funded through grants, private and corporate donations, and fundraising events. The mission of The Tiponi Foundation is to help in locating missing children; to provide advocacy and support services to families of missing children and to provide information and prevention education to the public regarding missing children and runaways. The Tiponi Foundation believes that to reduce the number of child abductions in the future, we must educate our children and empower them with the skills necessary to protect them from the dangers of abduction. Fortunately, many good organizations exist to help find and recover missing children. Unfortunately, there has not been much work done to study or lessen the effects this trauma can have on the children’s lives and the lives of their families. The Tiponi Foundation was formed to assist in lessening the effects of these traumas. We exist to help the abducted children and their families go from victims to victors! The Tiponi Foundation will be raising funds to open the Tiponi Ranch, a place for healing. There is a great deal of support available to help families go through the search, rescue, therapy and court processes. After this is over, the family is expected to go back into the world and go on with their lives. We feel families need time to heal and reconnect as a family again. The ranch will help provide this opportunity. Few of us know the agony a missing child and their family will experience. And, gratefully, most families will never experience the agony of having their child go missing. Coping with the trauma of having a missing child demands courage and determination from parents and other family members, who often feel isolated in the face of fear and frustration. The name “Tiponi” is a Hopi Indian name meaning: child of importance. This name was chosen because we feel every child is important. The Hopi are American Indians who primarily live on the Hopi Reservation in northeastern Arizona. Hopi means "peaceful people." According to Hopi lore, the Hopi are a gathering of many separate people representing tribes from distant areas, now identifying culturally as one people. The name Hopi is a shortened form of what these Native American people call themselves, Hopituh Shi-nu-mu, "The Peaceful People" or "Peaceful Little Ones". Hopi is a concept deeply rooted in the culture's religion, spirituality, and its view of morality and ethics. The Hopi religion is anti-war, to be Hopi is to strive toward this concept, which involves a state of total reverence and respect for all things and to be at peace with these things. The Hopi observe their traditional ceremonies for the benefit of the entire world. When a Hopi child is born, they receive a special blanket and a perfect ear of corn. On the 20th day, the child is taken to the mesa cliff and held facing the rising sun. When the sun touches the baby, it is given a name. This is a tradition that will be followed at the Tiponi Ranch. Each person will be given a blanket and an ear of corn upon arrival. At the end of their stay, they will be given a new name. It is our hope that this, along with their time on the ranch, will help them to feel empowered and reborn. Together, we can do more than recover missing children. We can help missing children recover. 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: o difficulty in walking or sitting. o stained or bloody underwear. o genital or rectal pain, itching, swelling, redness, or discharge o bruises or other injuries in the genital or rectal area. * Child has behavioral and emotional signs such as: o difficulty eating or sleeping. o soiling or wetting pants or bed after being potty trained. o acting like a much younger child. o excessive crying or sadness. o withdrawing from activities and others. o 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. *reproduced from a CDC guide to intentional injuries. Child Abuse Internet Resources: * Child Abuse and Incest Support: About.com guide to articles, sites and other resources about child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault. * Child Abuse: Child abuse affects many children of all ages. Learn to recognize the signs of child abuse and what to do if you suspect that a child is being physically, emotionally or sexually abused. * Child Abuse Prevention Network: "the Internet Nerve Center for professionals in the field of child abuse and neglect. Child maltreatment, physical abuse, psychological maltreatment, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse and neglect are our key areas of concern. We provide unique and powerful tools for all workers to support the identification, investigation, treatment, adjudication, and prevention of child abuse and neglect." * End Child Abuse: "a community of people dedicated to breaking the cycle of child abuse and neglect, serving and strengthening children and families." * National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information: The Clearinghouse is a national resource for professionals and others seeking information on child abuse and neglect and child welfare. * Effects of Domestic Violence on Children and Adolescents: An Overview: "In the past two decades, there has been growing recognition of the prevalence of domestic violence in our society. Moreover, it has become apparent that some individuals are at greater risk for victimization than others. Domestic violence has adverse effects on individuals, families, and society in general." * Parenting the Sexually Abused Child: This article will provide you with some basic information about child sexual abuse as well as some special considerations for parents who adopt these children. * How to Report Suspected Child Abuse: If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, you should call your local Child Protective Services (CPS) agency or the CPS agency in the State in which the abuse occurred. We have listed below the toll free numbers for the States that have them. Abuse and Neglect of American Children Has Increased 134% Since 1980 **Physical Abuse Has Increased 84% Since 1980 **Sexual Abuse Has Increased 350% Since 1980 **Emotional Abuse Has Increased 333% Since 1980 **Child Neglect Abuse Has Increased 320% Since 1980 NATIONAL: *Since 1990, 10,000+ American children have died at the hands of their parents or caretakers. * Four children die every day in this country from child abuse and neglect. * In 2000, over 3 million children were reported as abused or neglected in the U.S. *80 percent of violent juvenile and adult prisoners were raised in violent homes. * The United States annually spends an estimated $258 million on foster care, incarceration and other societal costs because of the abuse and neglect of children. This amounts to $1,460 per family, per year. Despite these high costs, the federal government invested only $10 in prevention research for every case reported. * Survivors of abuse are six times more likely to become abusive parents. * One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before the age 18. * Abused children are 25 times more likely to repeat a grade. * 75 percent of high school dropouts have a history of abuse in their families. *45 percent of abused children become adult alcoholics... FACTS: **The safest family for a child is a home in which the biological parents are married. **Cohabitation, an increasing phenomenon, is a major factor in child abuse. **The incidence of child abuse decreases significantly as family income increases. **Child abuse frequently is intergenerational. **Child abuse is prevalent in "communities of abuse" with family breakdown. **Child abuse is directly associated with serious violent crime. **The lowest risk ratio for physical abuse is one in which the biological parents are married and the family has always been intact. **Abuse is 6x's higher in the second-safest environment: the blended family in which the divorced mother has remarried. **Abuse is 14x's higher if the child is living with a biological mother who lives alone. **Abuse is 20x's higher if the child is living with a biological father who lives alone. **Abuse is 20x's higher if the child is with biological parents who are not married but are cohabiting. **Abuse is 33x's higher if the child is living with a mother who is living with a man. ** 1,500 children die from abuse each year. **There are 140,000 injuries to children from abuse each year. **There are 1.7 million reports of child abuse each year. ** 1 in 4 women in North America were molested in childhood. **2 million+ cases of child abuse and neglect are reported each year in the U.S. **An estimated 150,000 to 200,000 new cases of sexual abuse occur each year. **There were an estimated 903,000 victims of maltreatment nationwide. **An estimated 1,100 children died of abuse and neglect, a rate of approximately 1.6 **1 in 7 males will have been sexually molested before the age of 18. **10 deaths per 100,000 children per year in the general populations. **Each day in the U.S. more than 3 children die as a result of child abuse in the home. **Child abuse is reported on average every 10 seconds. **Approximately 3 MILLION child abuse reports are made each year. **oNLY two-thirds of the reported cases were investigated. **An estimated 903,000 victims were substantiated by child protective services agencies in 1998. **Convicted rape and sexual assault offenders report that 2/3 of their victims were under the age of 18. **Among rape victims less than 12 years of age, 90% of the children knew the offender, according to police-recorded incident data. **Frequently, the person who sexually molests a child is also a child themselves...~STAGES OF RECOVERY~ Denial It is not unusual for people to be trapped in this stage for many years after the physical nature of the abuse has ended. Many survivors develop addictive or compulsive behaviours while attempting to mask the feelings and emotions connected to child sexual abuse. Those who remain in denial about the definition of sexual child abuse, the truth about the most frequent sexual child abuse offender are part of the reason sex offenders have the opportunity to abuse children. We are responsible... “Those who ignore the past are condemned to repeat it.” Confused awareness At this stage, people begin to recognize the connection between their past trauma and present concerns. This new awareness may introduce feelings of anxiety, panic and fear. This can lead to a diagnosis of POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER. Post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to one or more terrifying events that threatened or caused grave physical harm. Reaching out Survivors can be in a situation in which the perils of silence become more painful than the risk involved in speaking out. The healing process begins when we realize that we need help. This is the most important step in healing. Receiving individual counselling and/or joining support groups may play a role in the healing process. Anger After they reach out and become more aware of the impacts of the abuse, survivors often deal with intensified anger. This anger is an expected, natural part of the healing process. Thoughts of disclosure and confrontations may dominate this stage. Anger may be channelled towards anyone who excused or protected the abuser, anyone who did not believe their disclosure of the abuse, and anyone they feel should have been concerned but never took steps to help. Depression At this stage, adult survivors may recall the negative messages or criticisms that they received from their abuser as a child. If these seem valid to the adult survivor, they may cause him or her to become depressed when faced with and unable to make positive changes. If symptoms and triggers of their depression are identified and an appropriate support team is found, the chances of their being overwhelmed with feelings of despair may be minimized. Clarity of feelings and emotions For adult survivors of child sexual abuse, a key component to healing is to express and share their feelings. This can be achieved by survivors' learning to acknowledge and identify a wide variety of feelings and emotions, as well as finding ways to release them without hurting themselves or others. A good support team can be extremely valuable at this time. Regrouping This phase involves many positive changes in survivors' attitudes and feelings. In this stage, they develop a new sense of trust in others but, most importantly, they start to trust themselves. This phase includes learning from the past, examining the present, and planning for the future. Many survivors have suggested that this stage represents a transition from merely existing to actively living. Moving on This stage includes a shift in focus from the negative experiences of the past to positive plans for the future. Painful feelings and emotions do not dominate memories from the past. Positive coping skills developed in earlier stages are enhanced and assist survivors in moving on with their lives. Several coping skills that can help survivors to move on include learning to love and accept themselves, recognizing and celebrating personal growth, creating a healthy support team, grieving current losses as they occur, learning to deal with stress effectively, and recognizing when it is time to let go of painful feelings connected to the past.Help is available for victims of child abuse--There is hope!! Consider the following acrostic, written by a child abuse survivor: I Went From: A - Anger: I am always angry and mad. B - Belonging: I am feeling isolated. No one cares! U - Understood: I am never understood. S - Shame: I feel blame, shame, and guilt for everything. E - Entrapped: There is no way out-just surviving day by day. D - Disgraced: There is no love-no honor. I'm humiliated. To: A - Anger: I now have righteous anger. I speak up for others and myself. B - Belonging: I belong to the family of God. I am loved! U - Understood: I am totally accepted and cared for. S - Shame: My guilt and shame are gone. I am forgiven. E - Ensnared: I'm protected by God and His way. D - Death: There is no more disgrace, but God's grace instead! OUR MISSION STATEMENT*** OUR MISSION IS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON CHILD ABUSE SIGNS/SYMPTOMS, STATISTICS, INTERVENTION, REPORTING, PREVENTION & TO ASSIST SURVIVORS IN LOCATING THE PROPER RESOURCES TO HELP ACHIEVE & ENABLE A FULL RECOVERY. DID YOU KNOW? *1 in every 3 girls will be sexually molested before the age of 18 *1 in every 6 boys will be sexually molested before the age of 18 *Every 10 SECONDS a child is abused, raped or killed in the U.S. *Today up to 5 children will die from abuse or neglect *In 13 seconds, another child will be abused in the U.S *There were 2.9 million child abuse reports made in 1992 *ONLY 28% of the children identified as harmed by abuse are investigated *85% of the 1.2 - 1.5 million runaways are fleeing abuse at home *Today 6 children will commit suicide *Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death (ages 15-24) *Untreated child abuse increases the likelihood of arrest for a violent crime by 38 percent *Today 3,086 public school students will be corporally punished & 3,356 high-school students will drop out *60 MILLION survivors are former victims of child sexual abuse in America today *38% of all women & 20% of all men have been sexually abused by the end of adolescence *It is estimated that 3% - 6% of the clergy population has abused a child in their congregation *The typical child sex offender molests an average of 117 children--most of whom do not report the offense ~~~ Imagine the outcry if these statistics represented a disease, which was wiping out 5 children per day, victimizing millions, and who's by-products where disabilities & expanding violence. Youth rights are really about human rights, and simple empathy is a giant first step to the benefits of increased awareness. The high jump in child abuse statistics shows the importance of youth rights by showing cases of frightening lack of knowledge!!~~~When a child is a victim of abuse by a member of their family, their world has changed forever. They may have loved their abuser and the abuser has turned the relationship into something sadistic and cruel. The victim of abuse is likely to feel very confused. How can they sort out the feelings of affection that they have for their abuser with the sick and disgusting act that was done to them. Feelings that result from abuse should not be buried away. As painful as it is, victims must talk about their experience and share their pain with others. Finding meaning in suffering is the road to healing. CHILD ABUSE IS A MAJOR NATIONWIDE PROBLEM WHICH IS KILLING OUR CHILDREN!!! THIS WEBSITE WILL HELP EDUCATE YOU & GIVE YOU THE KNOWLEDGE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND CHILD ABUSE. OFTEN CHILDREN & TEENS ARE ABUSED BY THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CLOSEST TO THEM SUCH AS FAMILY, FRIENDS, BABYSITTERS, DAYCARE PROVIDERS, NEIGHBORS, TEACHERS, COACHES, PRIESTS, AND EVEN THEIR OWN PARENTS!! THESE ARE THE VERY PEOPLE THAT OUR CHILDREN SHOULD FEEL THE SAFEST WITH. EVERYDAY IN THE UNITED STATES THOUSAND OF CHILDREN ARE ABUSED. THAT ADDS UP TO MILLIONS OF CHILDREN EACH YEAR! CHILD ABUSE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE, BUT IT IS REALITY..~WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE~~ Child abuse is the physical, psychological or sexual maltreatment of children. While most child abuse happens in the child's home, a significant portion also occurs in organizations involving children, such as churches, schools, child care businesses, and residential schools. There are four major categories of child abuse: neglect, physical abuse, psychological or emotional abuse and sexual abuse. There are different subcategories within each type of abuse. It's easy to identify some forms of child abuse, but difficult for other forms. The fact that a child experienced harm doesn't necessarily reveal abuse. Child abuse is an action or inaction that harms a child. The person responsible should have known their action or inaction was likely to cause harm. Well, that's a very legalistic point of view. Let me give you another one. Child abuse, from the standpoint of the victim, is anything that harms you!! .~SIGNS OF CHILD ABUSE~~ ~~Signs of physical abuse #1: Bruising~~ Bruising is the most common of abuse injuries. There are four factors to take into account when determining whether or not the bruising is suspicious: location, size, colour and frequency. Location Normal bruising can be found on the knees, shins, elbows, and the forehead. Toddlers are especially vulnerable to forehead bruising, as they frequently bump into furniture, counters, anything that is at their head level. But the size of the bruise(s), the colour, and the frequency in which bruising occurs can turn even normal bruising into suspicious bruising. Suspicious bruising can be found on the face, head, chest, back, arms, genitalia, thighs, back of the legs, and buttocks. Size The size of the bruise(s) can tell us what object or body part the child was struck and/or harmed with. See under Beatings and Choking for more details on size of bruising. Color The color of the bruise(s) can tell us how fresh the bruise is and the force with which the child was struck. With Caucasian people, a bruise takes on a red, purple, black or blue appearance when it first appears, depending on the force of the blow. As the bruise heals it will turn green, then become a jaundice yellow before fading away completely. Though it seems obvious, I'll say it anyway: these changes in color will be difficult to see in dark-skinned children. Just remember that bruising is only one sign; keep reading for other signs. Frequency The more frequent the bruising incidents occur, the more likelihood of physical child abuse. The child may have a legitimate reason for the bruising, but if there are too many incidences, then the red flags of suspicion should go up. ~~Signs of physical abuse #2: Beatings~~ The pattern of bruising and/or abrasions will resemble the shape of the object or body part used. The most common are belts, sticks, bats, bottles, and fists), but children are frequently attacked with firearms and knives. If a belt is used, there will be red welts that are the width of the belt. There may also be bruising, and/or bleeding. The length of the welt depends on how much of the belt came in contact with the skin. Typically, caregivers who use a belt will strike the buttocks, the back, and the backs of the legs. If a child is beaten with a fist, the shape of the bruise(s) can be that of a whole fist, or the bruising can show up as a cluster of lines (the imprint of the fingers of the fist). If the knuckles were used, bruising will be a line of roundish discolorations that are somewhere between the size of a dime and a quarter, depending on the size of the fist. Caregivers who use their fists generally give blows to the face, head, chest, stomach, and arms. Injuries are often to the face and head: black eyes, bloody and/or broken nose, fat and split lips, swelling of the eyes, cheeks or jaw, bruising and abrasions to the side of the head. Broken ribs and internal injuries can also result with severe blows to the chest and stomach. ~~Signs of physical abuse #3: Burning~~ Burning is the third most frequent cause of death in children from 1 - 14 years of age, and the fourth most frequent in children under one year of age. 70 - 90% of childhood burns occur in the home during the winter months, early morning and late afternoons being the most vulnerable times. There are several kinds of burns: chemical, cigarette, electrical, heat, and water burns. Each present their own unique signs of physical abuse. With chemical burns on the skin's surface, depending on the chemical used, there can be a rash, blistering, and/or open sores that are pussing and/or bleeding. When caustic substances such as lye or acid are thrown, they are typically aimed at the child's face. If a child is forced to ingest chemicals, there will likely be nausea, vomiting, cramping, chest and abdominal pain, distention, and possibly unconsciousness. Cigarette burns will be the size and shape of the cigarette tip. Typically, caregivers who burn children/youth with cigarettes do so on the backs of the arms, the buttocks, and the backs of the legs. Electrical burns appear as black marks at the site of the burn, and can extend beyond, depending on the electrical appliance used, and the volts of electricity the child is exposed to. Size and shape are also determined by these latter two factors. Heat burns such as that from a flame and/or flammable liquid can encompass any part of the body. If clothing is ignited, the whole body can be burned. Victims of this type of burning are often older children. It is important to note here that not all water burns constitute signs of physical abuse. Accidental water burns generally appear as a splatter of splash burns. With non-accidental water burns, excessive splash marks will appear above the site of the primary impact, on body parts where accidental burning is unlikely. A child who is held under flowing hot water or immersed in scalding water will learn that the pain is lessened if they keep perfectly still. What results is what the medical profession calls the red sock or red glove. There will be a clear margin of bright red skin starting where the water line was and continue to all parts of the body that were immersed. Typically, the buttocks, legs, feet, and hands. Eventually, there will be peeling of skin layers. ~~Signs of physical abuse #4: Choking and Hanging~~ With these signs of physical abuse, a child who is choked will have bruising around the front and back of the neck that will resemble the fingers and thumb of the caregiver doing the choking. The bruising can also take the shape of a red band, depending on the pressure used, the length of time the pressure was exerted, and how much of the hand came in contact with the skin. If the caregiver is facing the child, the bruises at the front of the neck will be two thumb imprints, while the bruising at the back of the neck will be a tier of finger marks. This will be reversed (finger marks at the front, thumb marks at the back of the neck) if the caregiver is behind the child when doing the choking. Bruising and possibly 'rope burns' around the neck will be evident when a child is hanged. The bruising will take on the imprint of the rope or material used to hang the child. With these two signs of physical abuse, the child may be hoarse and/or have a cough, especially immediately and shortly after the choking or hanging incident. Damage to the larynx can occur in more severe cases. In extreme incidences', the neck may be broken. ~~Signs of physical abuse #5: Smothering and Drowning~~ During smothering, a child's breathing may be compromised, but other than this immediate effect, there may not be any noticeable physical abuse evidence. There can be bruising around the face, especially the nose and eyes, and upper chest area, depending on the item used to do the smothering, and the force exerted to asphyxiate the child. With drowning, there may be hand or finger bruising at the back or side of the neck, or at the shoulders where the child was held under water with force. The child's breathing may be jeopardized on a more long-term basis when these two signs of physical abuse are done regularly. If the child's breathing is raspy or the child has difficulty catching his/her breath, this may be a sign of smothering or drowning. ~~Signs of physical abuse #6: Poisoning~~ Poisoning may be difficult to detect because quantity is what determines the ill effects. Children can be poisoned with drugs, dish liquid, gas (i.e., combination of ammonia and bleach), and other noxious substances. A child who has been poisoned may suffer from nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, lethargy, sleepiness, light-headedness, dizziness, and, in more severe cases, unconsciousness. When noxious substances are force-fed to a child, depending on the substance, signs of physical abuse are: redness, chemical burns or bleeding in and around the mouth. If a child is forced to ingest dish liquid, the child will not be able to control his/her bowels, and a rash may be present around the mouth and lips. ~~Signs of physical abuse #7: Hair-pulling~~ Thinning hair and bald patches on the scalp may be present with severe hair-pulling. The child may experience headaches, and may also exhibit neck pain if the hair-pulling incidents are accompanied with jerking or snapping of the child's head. ~~Signs of physical abuse #8: Pushed from Heights~~ Bruising and broken bones are the most common abuse injuries when a child is pushed from heights. If a child is pushed down a flight of stairs, bruising may be present anywhere and everywhere on the child's body. .~~SEXUAL ABUSE SIGNS~~ **Physical trauma such as redness, rashes, and/or bleeding to oral, genital and/or anal areas **Bruises on breasts, buttocks, lower abdomen, thighs, genital and/or rectal areas** **Complaints of pain or itching in genital or anal areas** **Difficulty walking or sitting** **Unusual or offensive body odors** **Difficulty in bladder or bowel control** **Constipation** **Pain or discomfort on urination** **Blood in urine** **Abnormal dilation of vaginal or rectal openings** **Foreign bodies in vaginal, rectal or urethral openings** **Sexually transmitted diseases found vaginally, rectally or orally** **Yeast or bacterial infections** **Frequent sore throats; difficulty swallowing; choking** **Ear infections/problems** **Sudden weight gain or extreme weight loss** **Severe psychosomatic complaints such as stomachaches and headaches**.~~FAMILY INCEST~~ Incest refers to sexual acts between relatives. The type of incest that people are most worried about is parent-child incest. Sexual contact between an adult and a child is never all right for any reason. Even if the incest occurs when the child is legally an adult, it is very harmful. Incest between other adult family members and children or teens is also very hurtful. Any abuse of this kind, even if only suspected, should be reported. Incest between those who are similar in age may be less damaging, but still harmful. Brother-sister incest, for example, often leaves children or teens feeling guilty once they realize it is not normal in society. In addition, the dual roles are confusing. A girl may feel that she can break up with a boyfriend, but how can she break up with a brother? Signs of incest may include: * having vaginal or rectal bleeding, pain, itching, swelling or discharge * having trouble walking or sitting * being depressed or withdrawing from friends or family * being very secretive * either avoiding or being unusually interested in things of a sexual nature, acting sexual, or drawing sexual themes * having sleep problems or nightmares * having stomach pain, bedwetting, urinary tract infection, or a sexually transmitted disease * refusing to go to school * saying that their bodies are dirty or damaged, or being afraid that there is something wrong with them in the genital area * trying to run away * trying to commit suicide. ~~VERBAL/EMOTIONAL ABUSE SIGNS~~ Boys aggression temper tantrums fights with peers and siblings bullying tactics frustrates easily disobedience lying and cheating destructive behaviours impulsive behaviours argumentative loud tease excessively worry excessively withdrawn Girls withdrawn passive approval-seeking compliant frustrates easily infinite patience clinging to adults overly dependent stubborn tease excessively worry excessively ~~TYPES OF NEGLECT~~ The definitions of neglect include physical neglect, child abandonment and expulsion, medical neglect, inadequate supervision, emotional neglect and educational neglect by parents, parent substitutes, and other adult caretakers of children. ~~PHYSICAL NEGLECT~~ Refusal of Health Care Failure to provide or allow needed care in accord with recommendations Failure or delay to seek timely and appropriate medical care for a serious health problem Abandonment or Desertion of a child without arranging for reasonable care and supervision Expulsion or blatant refusals of custody, such as permanent or indefinite expulsion of a child from the home or refusal to accept custody of a returned runaway. ~~OTHER CUSTODY ISSUES~~ Custody-related forms of inattention to the child's needs other than those covered by abandonment or expulsion. (For example, repeated shuttling of a child from one household to another due to apparent unwillingness to maintain custody, or chronically and repeatedly leaving a child with others for days/weeks at a time.) ~~OTHER PHYSICAL NEGLECT~~ Conspicuous inattention to avoidable hazards in the home Inadequate nutrition, clothing, or hygiene Any other forms of reckless disregard of the child's safety and welfare (Such as driving with the child while intoxicated or leaving a child unattended in a vehicle. ~~SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME~~ In any abusive head trauma case, the duration and force of the shaking, the number of episodes, and whether impact is involved all affect the severity of the infant's injuries. In the most violent cases, children may arrive at the emergency room unconscious, suffering seizures, or in shock. But in many cases, infants may never be brought to medical attention if they don't exhibit such severe symptoms. In less severe cases, a child who has been shaken may experience: * lethargy * irritability * vomiting * poor sucking or swallowing * decreased appetite * lack of smiling or vocalizing * rigidity * seizures * difficulty breathing * altered consciousness * unequal pupil size * an inability to lift the head * an inability to focus the eyes or track movement