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Facts About Child Abuse
84 percent of prison inmates were abused as children.
One in three girls and one in five boys are sexually abused by an adult at some time during childhood. (Most sexual abusers are someone in the family or someone the child knows, not the proverbial stranger with a lollipop.)
Families with four or more children have higher rates of abuse and neglect, especially if their living conditions are crowded or they live in isolated areas.
More than 80 percent of abusers are a parent or someone close to a child. Child abuse is far more likely to occur in the child's home than in a day care center.
One in thirteen kids with a parent on drugs is physically abused regularly. (Drug and alcohol abuse in the family makes child abuse about twice as likely.)
One out of ten babies born today are born to mothers who are abusing drugs. Drinking and smoking heavily during pregnancy also endangers the health of unborn children.
Behind any child abuse statistic are heartbreaking child abuse stories. The reality is that even today, child abuse remains an “uncomfortable” subject in our society even with the rates of child abuse increasing. Child abuse reaches across all cultures,socio-economic lines, religions and educational levels.
Child abuse statistics are available to the public to make anyone aware of how common it is. I wanted to remind people that during this month of April, please educate yourself more on the topic of child abuse and learn the signs and-ACT. You could make a donation or volunteer at a child abuse prevention non-profit. Here are a few statistics I found about child abuse that will not just make you think about the problem, but perhaps stand up and make a difference in the prevention of child abuse:
3 million reports of child abuse were reported in ‘06 However experts argue that the real existing number of actual child abuse is triple the amount that is reported.
Every 10 seconds, a report of child abuse is made
Of the number of reported rapes of children under 12 years old,90% knew their perpetrator
79% of the children who are killed because of abuse are younger than 4 years old.
There are 4 fatalities due to child abuse and neglect each year
If you suspect abuse of a child, please report. Once the signs are picked up on ( like unexplained bruises, behavior changes/regressive behaviors, fear of certain adults/caregivers). Sometimes older children who are suffering from abuse, will not come right out and disclose, but they may tell their friends over time about their abuse. If you happen to be a parent, listen to what your child tells you about another child. If things don’t sound right, and you strongly suspect abuse or neglect make the call. You can save a child’s life.
Source: Childhelp and Child Abuse Charity.com
Tad Camp covers todays current events involving crime, children, missing persons, abductions and more. Mr. Camp is a highly trained, former Law Enforcement Officer/Detective. Mr. Camp has an outstanding investigative background with expertise in both overt and covert investigations. He has conducted criminal investigations involving everything from traffic accidents, to the most serious of crimes, including sexual battery on children, death investigations and police corruption. Mr. Camp served as Acting Chief of Police for a Police Department in Ohio before relocating to Florida. Mr. Camp was elected to the American Police Officer Hall of Fame, Police Legion of the Purple Heart for in the line of duty injuries sustained while serving the citizens of Pinellas County, Florida. With hundreds of cases under his belt, Mr. Camp has left Law Enforcement and is now providing the same level of professional investigations to the public. Since opening his private investigations agency in 2005, Mr. Camp has provided services for the families of missing and abducted children, and has an amazing 100% success rate. Mr. Camp's clients include celebrities, foreign dignitaries, world-wide religious organizations, international corporations and financial institutions. Mr. Camp has consulted for agencies across the nation and a well known national television show dealing with investigations. He has quickly become one of the best known investigators in the private arena. Mr. Camp has been credited for solving cases that local authorities have been unable to solve, from hit and run accidents to missing children and fraud cases. Mr. Camp routinely receives telephone calls from Law Enforcement Officers throughout the country, seeking his advice on complex case. Mr. Camp has been published in PI Magazine and serves on SaferDates.com Team of Experts as the Online Safety & Security Expert. He is the creator of the Amber Child Safety System and also the President of True Tracker Pr
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Child Abuse and Neglect
Warning Signs of Abuse and How to Report It
In the USA, an estimated 906,000 children are victims of abuse & neglect every year, making child abuse as common as it is shocking. Whether the abuse is physical, emotional, sexual, or neglect, the scars can be deep and long-lasting, often leading to future child abuse. You can learn the signs and symptoms of child abuse and help break the cycle, finding out where to get help for the children and their caregivers.
In This Article:
Facts about child abuse and neglect
Physical child abuse
Emotional child abuse
Sexual abuse in children
Child neglect
What to do if a child reports abuse
Reporting child abuse and neglect
Child abuse prevention
Related links
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Facts about child abuse and neglect
How could anyone abuse a defenseless child? Most of us can’t imagine what would make an adult abuse a child. The worse the behavior is, the more unimaginable it seems. Yet sadly, child abuse is much more common then you might think. Child abuse cuts across social classes and all ethnicities. And the abuse overwhelmingly is at the hands of those who are supposed to be protecting the child- the parents.
What is child abuse?
Child abuse happens in many different ways, but the result is the same- serious physical or emotional harm. Physical or sexual abuse may be the most striking types of abuse, since they often unfortunately leave physical evidence behind. However, emotional abuse and neglect are serious types of child abuse that are often more subtle and difficult to spot. Child neglect is the most common type of child abuse.
How can child abuse happen?
There are many complicated factors that lead to child abuse. Risk factors for child abuse include:
History of child abuse. Unfortunately, the patterns we learn in childhood are often what we use as parents. Without treatment and insight, sadly, the cycle of child abuse often continues.
Stress and lack of support. Parenting can be a very time intensive, difficult job. Parents caring for children without support from family, friends or the community can be under a lot of stress. Teen parents often struggle with the maturity and patience needed to be a parent. Caring for a child with a disability, special needs or difficult behaviors is also a challenge. Caregivers who are under financial or relationship stress are at risk as well.
Alcohol or drug abuse. Alcohol and drug abuse lead to serious lapses in judgment. They can interfere with impulse control making emotional and physical abuse more likely. Due to impairment caused by being intoxicated, alcohol and drug abuse frequently lead to child neglect
Domestic violence. Witnessing domestic violence in the home, as well as the chaos and instability that is the result, is emotional abuse to a child. Frequently domestic violence will escalate to physical violence against the child as well.
The lasting effects of child abuse
All types of child abuse and neglect leave lasting scars. Some of these scars might be physical, but emotional scarring has long lasting effects throughout life, damaging a child’s sense of self and ability to have healthy relationships.
You can make a difference
One of the most painful effects of child abuse is its tendency to repeat itself. One of every three abused or neglected children will grow up to become an abusive parent. You may be reluctant to interfere in someone’s family, but you can make a huge difference in a child’s life if you do. The earlier abused children get help, the greater chance they have to heal from their abuse and not perpetuate the cycle.
Physical child abuse: Warning signs and how to help
Many physically abusive parents and caregivers insist that their actions are simply forms of discipline, ways to make children learn to behave. But there’s a big difference between giving an unmanageable child a swat on the backside and twisting the child’s arm until it breaks. Physical abuse can include striking a child with the hand, fist, or foot or with an object, burning, shaking, pushing, or throwing a child; pinching or biting the child, pulling a child by the hair or cutting off a child’s air. Another form of child abuse involving babies is shaken baby syndrome, in which a frustrated caregiver shakes a baby roughly to make the baby stop crying, causing brain damage that often leads to severe neurological problems and even death.
Warning signs of physical abuse
Physical signs. Sometimes physical abuse has clear warning signs, such as unexplained bruises, welts, or cuts. While all children will take a tumble now and then, look for age-inappropriate injuries, injuries that appear to have a pattern such as marks from a hand or belt, or a pattern of severe injuries.
Behavioral signs. Other times, signs of physical abuse may be more subtle. The child may be fearful, shy away from touch or appear to be afraid to go home. A child’s clothing may be inappropriate for the weather, such as heavy, long sleeved pants and shirts on hot days.
Caregiver signs. Physically abusive caregivers may display anger management issues and excessive need for control. Their explanation of the injury might not ring true, or may be different from an older child’s description of the injury.
Is physical punishment the same as physical abuse?
Physical punishment, the use of physical force with the intent of inflicting bodily pain, but not injury, for the purpose of correction or control, used to be a very common form of discipline. Most of us know it as spanking or paddling. Many of us may feel we were spanked as children without damage to body or psyche. The widespread use of physical punishment, however, doesn’t necessarily make it a good idea. The level of force used by an angry or frustrated parent can easily get out of hand and lead to injury. Even if it doesn’t, what a child learns from being hit as punishment is less about why conduct is right or wrong than about behaving well — or hiding bad behavior — out of fear of being hit.
Emotional child abuse
“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”. This old saying could not be farther from the truth. Emotional child abuse may seem invisible. However, because emotional child abuse involves behavior that interferes with a child’s mental health or social development, the effects can be extremely damaging and may even leave deeper lifelong psychological scars than physical abuse.
Emotional child abuse takes many forms, in words and in actions.
Words. Examples of how words can hurt include constant belittling, shaming, and humiliating a child, calling names and making negative comparisons to others, or constantly telling a child he or she is “no good," "worthless," "bad," or "a mistake." How the words are spoken can be terrifying to a child as well, such as yelling, threatening, or bullying.
Actions. Basic food and shelter may be provided, but withholding love and affection can have devastating effects on a child. Examples include ignoring or rejecting a child, giving him or her the silent treatment. Another strong component of emotional abuse is exposing the child to inappropriate situations or behavior. Especially damaging is witnessing acts that cause a feeling of helplessness and horror, such as in domestic violence or watching another sibling or pet be abused.
Signs of emotional child abuse
Behavioral signs. Since emotional child abuse does not leave concrete marks, the effects may be harder to detect. Is the child excessively shy, fearful or afraid of doing something wrong? Behavioral extremes may also be a clue. A child may be constantly trying to parent other children for example, or on the opposite side exhibit antisocial behavior such as uncontrolled aggression. Look for inappropriate age behaviors as well, such as an older child exhibiting behaviors more commonly found in younger children.
Caregiver signs. Does a caregiver seem unusually harsh and critical of a child, belittling and shaming him or her in front of others? Has the caregiver shown anger or issues with control in other areas? A caregiver may also seem strangely unconcerned with a child’s welfare or performance. Keep in mind that there might not be immediate caregiver signs. Tragically, many emotionally abusive caregivers can present a kind outside face to the world, making the abuse of the child all the more confusing and scary.
Sexual child abuse
Sexual abuse, defined as any sexual act between an adult and a child, has components of both physical and emotional abuse. Sexual abuse can be physical, such as inappropriate fondling, touching and actual sexual penetration. It can also be emotionally abusive, as in cases where a child is forced to undress or exposing a child to adult sexuality. Aside from the physical damage that sexual abuse can cause, the emotional component is powerful and far reaching. The layer of shame that accompanies sexual abuse makes the behavior doubly traumatizing. While news stories of sexual predators are scary, what is even more frightening is that the adult who sexually abuses a child or adolescent is usually someone the child knows and is supposed to trust: a relative, childcare provider, family friend, neighbor, teacher, coach, or clergy member. Children may worry that others won’t believe them and will be angry with them if they tell. They may believe that the abuse is their fault, and the shame is devastating and can cause lifelong effects.
Signs of sexual child abuse
Behavioral signs. Does the child display knowledge or interest in sexual acts inappropriate to his or her age, or even seductive behavior? A child might appear to avoid another person, or display unusual behavior- either being very aggressive or very passive. Older children might resort to destructive behaviors to take away the pain, such as alcohol or drug abuse, self-mutilation, or suicide attempts.
Physical signs. A child may have trouble sitting or standing, or have stained, bloody or torn underclothes. Swelling, bruises, or bleeding in the genital area is a red flag. An STD or pregnancy, especially under the age of 14, is a strong cause of concern.
Caregiver signs. The caregiver may seem to be unusually controlling and protective of the child, limiting contact with other children and adults. Again, as with other types of abuse, sometimes the caregiver does not give outward signs of concern. This does not mean the child is lying or exaggerating.
CHILDREN’S RIGHTS
I have the right to a loving and caring family, a proper safe and comfortable home, clothing and healthy food
I have the right to be told the house rules of where I live
As a child, I should not be forced to work
I have the right to an education suitable to my aptitudes and abilities
I have the right to a say in my care, and any changes to how I am cared for, according to my age & maturity
I have the right to get special care for special needs
I have the right to be protected from hurt
I have the right to good health care if I am sick and to be kept away from cigarettes, alcohol & drugs
I am a real person and have a right to be treated properly
I have the right to be taken seriously and to make mistakes
I have the right to my own religion and culture
have a right to my name and my nationality
I have the right to be treated the same, no matter what my colour, race, gender, language or religion
I have the right to be proud of my heritage and beliefs
I have the right to speak and be heard
I have the right to send and receive private mail that is not read or opened by others
I have the right to privacy
I have the right to own my own things
I have the right to speak and visit in private with my family or any other person like my big friend, a person representing me like my social worker or my lawyer
I have a right to a lawyer in courtrooms and hearings affecting my future
I have a right to live in a nice place and not be put in prison or in a police cell
I have the right to know what my rights are
It is going to be a nice day, then the freezing comes in for a while!!
We put a new door on our front, keep the cold out and heat in!! Hope
you have a great day! Love & blessings, Kathy xxx ooo
Remember always that loving someone is a great gift to yourself, not only them. And that even love not openly expressed, when allowed to flow, can heal. Love & Peace Noreen
Hello there, well the rain is starting now. Ida is a nor'easter for
us. I will go the ocean and take pictures later! I hope you enjoy
your day! Love & blessings, Kathy xxx ooo
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