CHILD ABUSE

Child Abuse

Child Abuse

Introduction

Child Abuse is defined as "endangerment to a child inflicted by another person, usually the caregiver"(Leiter 1) and includes physical, sexual, emotional abuse, and neglect. Child abuse can be brought on by any one at any time. The purpose of this paper is to overview the four previously stated types of abuse, their effects on children, the legal aspects of child abuse, and dealing with abuse. Child abuse is prevalent in almost every culture across the world and has been a problem for as long as there was recorded history. "People used to abuse their children with razor straps and no one thought anything of it."(Leiter 1) It is only recently that citizens became aware of what a problem abuse could be.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse can be classified as any attempt or harm to a child where the caregiver was conscience of the risk before the fact. "Physical abuse refers to non accidental injury to a child." (2) Physical abuse is extremely dangerous to the child and can cause permanent physical and mental disabilities.

"In cases where maltreatment was substantiated… 26 percent" of victims suffered from physical abuse nation wide. (3 Mayo Clinic) In the Gallup Monthly Poll of 1000 randomly selected American parents, "Over half of the parents said they administered minor physical punishment during the past year, while 22 percent said they use severe physical punishment."(3 Mayo Clinic) This physical punishment does not work as effectively as other types of punishment and strictly speaking is illegal. "It is much better to choose a punishment that will fit the action, for example if a child has a fight over the TV, take away TV privileges. Corporal punishment is usually administered when the parent is being brash and hasn't had time to cool down from the child's misbehaviour."(1 Leiter)

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse "refers to any sexual behaviour between a child and an adult or an older, bigger, or more powerful person, for that person's sexual gratification." (2) Sexual abuse while still completely horrible is often times blown completely out of scale and is "the most advertised type of abuse"(1 Leiter). "Sex abuse ranges from unwanted kisses to inappropriate touching to sexual intercourse."(4 pg. 107) Only 14 percent of cases where maltreatment was substantiated did victims suffer from sexual abuse in the United States. (3 Mayo Clinic) Sexual abuse is often times kept hidden more than other types of abuse. Children are forced and threatened not to tell any one of the encounters because of the social humiliation of being involved in sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is the only type of abuse that occurs equally across socio-economic barriers (1 Leiter).

Emotional Abuse

"Emotional abuse refers to a chronic attitude or behaviour directed at a child, or the creation of an emotional environment, which is seriously detrimental to or impairs the child's psychological and/or physical development."(2) This type of abusive behaviour can bring down an individual's feeling of self worth and self-esteem. "It leaves victims feeling inadequate helpless or worthless"(4 health book) ...