CHILD ABUSE

Prevention Techniques for Child Abuse



Prevention techniques for child Abuse

Child abuse and neglect occur in every state, province and territory, in large cities, small towns and rural areas. Although many people fail to realize or admit it is and has been occurring the sad truth is otherwise. Each day in the United States more than four children die as a result of child abuse in the home. That is more than 1,000 children a year and most of these children are under the age of six.

It will be wondering, what exactly is child abuse? Of what does it consist? Are there different types? What are the signs? Read on to find all the answers and take a look into the life of Dave Pelzer who was a victim of child abuse. Also, do not forget to read child protection and preventive services to find out how to protect and prevent child abuse in your area. Child abuse is widespread and needs to be not only acknowledged but curtailed. When people conceive child abuse many think of physical harm and nothing else. They think of external or internal bruises, burns, fractures, wounds or poisoning and do not conceptualize actions of sexual molestation or neglect (Chisholm, 2001).

In 1995 the American Medical Association stated, "Child abuse occurs if a person who has the care or custody of a child causes or allows the child to suffer any of the following: physical harm, such as external or internal bruises, burns, fractures, wounds, brain damage or poisoning; malnutrition (including dehydration) or mental ill-heath of a degree that if not immediately remedied could seriously impair growth and development or result in permanent injury or death; or sexual molestation." (Barbaree Bogaert & Seto, 1995) Health Canada states, "Child abuse occurs when a parent, guardian or caregiver [sic] mistreats or neglects a child, resulting in injury, or significant emotional or psychological harm, or serious risk of harm to the child.

While children of all ages are at risk of child abuse, those three years old or less are most frequently investigated for neglect. Neglect originates when the child's parents or other care- givers fail to provide the essential conditions to a child's emotional, psychological and physical growth. Physical neglect takes place when the child's needs for food, clothing, shelter, cleanliness, medical care and protection from harm are not sufficiently met. While a case of physical assault is more inclined to come to the attention of public authorities, neglect and emotional abuse can exemplify an equally crucial risk to a child. Children aged twelve to fifteen are most frequently investigated for physical or emotional abuse. Emotional abuse is one of the most widespread and destructive forms of child abuse. Making fun of a child, name calling, always finding faults, and showing no respect can damage a child's self-esteem. Signs of an emotional abuse case may consist of the child finding it hard to make friends; he may avoid playing with other children, may have a tendency to be ...