Child maltreatment is the abuse and neglect that occurs to children under 18 years of age. It includes all types of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, negligence and commercial or other exploitation, which results in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power. Exposure to intimate partner violence is also sometimes included as a form of child maltreatment. Here is an interesting article I would like to share with you all:

http://who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs150/en/

After reading this article it sadden me and its unbelievable what a parent can do to their own child.

KC woman charged with child abuse worked as temp at KC school

Factors affecting the likelihood of potential abuse and predisposing to child abuse include:

* The abuser’s childhood: child abusers often were abused as children.
* The abuser’s substance abuse: at least half of all child abuse cases involve some degree of substance abuse
(alcohol, drugs, etc) by the child’s parents.
* Family stress: the disintegration of the nuclear family and its inherent support systems has been held to be
associated with child abuse.
* Social forces: experts debate whether a postulated reduction in religious/moral values coupled with an
increase in the depiction of violence by the entertainment and informational media may increase child abuse.
* The child: children at higher risk for child abuse include infants who are felt to be “overly fussy”, handicapped
children, and children with chronic diseases.
* Specific “trigger” events that occur just before many fatal parental assaults on infants and young children
include: an infant’s inconsolable crying, feeding difficulties, a toddler’s failed toilet training, and exaggerated
parental perceptions of acts of
“disobedience” by the child.

Here’s another video I found on child abuse that touched my heart and I would like to share with you all.

I just read this mood changing story of a victim of child abuse. It is so sad and heartbreaking to read and hear about how cruel parents are to something that they created. Children are blessings from God and should not be treated in such a way, I hope that this story reaches hearts and open eyes and help bring this to an end!!!!!!!

http://www.asca.org.au/Survivors/Survivors-stories/Lorraine-s-Story.aspx

shocking!!!

A man tells a Mother of a young girl that he would only marry her if she allowed him to rape her child, she agreed and later on got pregnant with his child and also molested the little boy!!! SICKKKKKKK! Take a look at this and tell me what you think……..

TIPS!!!

Here are some tips on how to deal with and abused child:

 • Help the child feel comfortable. Talking about abuse is not easy for the child. Respect the child’s privacy and talk to him in a quiet and private place. The place should be familiar to the child. This will help the child feel comfortable.

  • Reassure the child that it is not her fault. Most children who are abused feel, or are told by their abusers, that they are to blame for their own abuse. It is very important to tell the child that she is not guilty and that she is not responsible for the abuse. Let them know that they have not done anything wrong.

      • Don’t react with shock, anger, disgust. Your reaction to that the child tells you is very important to the child. He will be watching your reaction closely. Be calm. When you react with disgust or anger, he will not feel comfortable talking to you anymore. He may also feel scared and confused. This will prevent you from acting promptly and getting help immediately.

     • Don’t force a child to talk. Give the child time. Let her talk to you at her own pace. If the child is unwilling to talk or seems uncomfortable, don’t pressurize her to do so. If the child seems uncomfortable when talking about certain specific things, don’t press her for details. You can change the topic to something that the child is more comfortable talking about.

     • Don’t force a child to show injuries. If the child is willing to show you his injuries, you may allow him to do so. However, when a child is unwilling to show you his injuries, you may not insist that he do so. Also, you cannot insist that a child take off his clothing so that you can see his injuries.

     • Use terms and language that the child can understand. If the child says something that you don’t understand, like a word for a body part, ask the child to explain or to point to the body part. Don’t correct or make fun of the words the child is using. When you use the same words as the child does, it helps the child feel less confused and more relaxed. The child will feel that you understand him.

     • Don’t ‘interview’ the child. The purpose of your discussion with the child is to gather enough information so that you can make an informed report to the local CPS agency or to your supervisor. When you have the information you need, you must stop the discussion. Don’t try to prove that abuse has happened.

     • Ask appropriate questions. The questions that you ask the child must be appropriately worded. Choose your language carefully. This ensures that you get correct information from the child. For example, if you see a bruise on a child and you suspect that it is the result of abuse, you may say to the child, “That looks painful. Do you want to tell me how you got it” or “Do you want to talk about that bruise you have”. It would be inappropriate to say, “Did you get that bruise when someone hit you?” Remember that you can do more harm by supplying a child with words and ideas. Let the child tell her own story and give you the answers.

     • Don’t ask ‘why’ questions. Why questions like, “Why did he hit you?” or “Why she do that?” will only confuse a child more. Remember that children who are abused often do not understand why it is happening. These types of questions will force them to think about the reasons for the abuse. ‘Why’ questions also will not give you any helpful information.

     • Don’t teach the child new terms or words. Don’t teach the child new words or give her new ideas. This is harmful. When you do this, you are biasing the child. Also, when you teach a child a new term or word, you are changing the child’s original disclosure. This is important in relation to the court and law.

     • Find out what the child wants from you. A child may ask you to promise not to tell anyone. He may ask you to take him home with you. He may ask you what you are going to do. It is good to know what the child is expecting from you. This will help you in deciding what your course of action should be.

     • Be honest with the child. Let the child know what you are going to do. This will build trust. Be honest about what you can do for him. Don’t promise him things that cannot be done. For example- let him know that you may have to tell someone so that he will not be hurt anymore. Then he will not be surprised or afraid when he finds out that someone knows.

     • Confirm the child’s feelings. Let the child know that it is okay to feel scared, hurt, confused or angry.

     • Be supportive. Let the child know that you are glad she told you about the abuse. Let her know that you believe her and that you care about her. Some children may think that you will not like them anymore because of what they told you. Assure her that you are still her friend.

     • Remember: the safety of the child is most important. Be sensitive to and aware of the child’s safety. Keep in mind that a child might be further abused if he reports that he has spoken to someone about the abuse. If you feel that the child is in danger, you must contact CPS immediately.

 

Effects of Physical Child Abuse

Here are some initial and long term effects of physical child abuse :

Initial Effects of Child Physical Abuse

• Immediate pain, suffering and medical problems in some cases death caused by physical injury.
• Emotional problems such as anger, hostility, fear, anxiety, humiliation, lowered self-esteem and inability to express feelings.
• Behavioural problems such as aggression by the child towards others or self-destructive behaviour, hyperactivity, truancy, inability to form friendships with peers and poor social skills. Poorer cognitive and language skills than non-abused children.

Long Term Consequences Of Child Physical Abuse

• Long term physical disabilities, for example, brain damage or eye damage.
• Disordered interpersonal relationships, for example, difficulty trusting others within adult relationships or violent relationships.
• A predisposition to emotional disturbance.
• Feelings of low self esteem.
• Depression.
• An increased potential for child abuse as a parent.
• Drug or alcohol abuse.

Verbal Child abuse

Verbal abuse is a form of emotional abuse and, unlike physical abuse, it is not easily seen or detected. Verbal abuse ranges from yelling obscenities to quiet put-downs. Parents use it to control their children, feel superior and mask their own inadequacies and failures. It tears down the child, and the effects on her emotional, social, cognitive and psychological development can be profound. The effects of verbal abuse are immediate as the child internalizes the pain. These effects often extend into adulthood. This is information taking from and article I read which I wish to share with you all.

http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/verbal-abuse-relationships-between-parents-children-14117.html

Risk Factors:

For the Family

• Social isolation
• Poverty and other socioeconomic disadvantage such as unemployment or lack of education
• Family disorganization, dissolution, and violence (including intimate partner violence)
• Poor parent-child relationships and negative interactions

For the Parent/Caregiver

• Stress and distress
• Mental health conditions
• Lack of understanding of children’s needs, child development, and parenting skills
• History of child abuse in family of origin
• Substance abuse
• Young, single, and non-biological parents
• Thoughts and emotions supporting maltreatment behaviors

For the Community

• Community violence — leading to high incidents of trauma, strain, and fear for families

For the Child

• Children younger than 4 years are at greatest risk for severe injury or death
• Disabilities or mental retardation in children that may increase caregiver burden
• In childhood, boys are at higher risk and experience more severe abuse; in adolescence, the risk increases for girls, especially the risk for sexual abuse

I thought it would be interesting to share with you all some risk factors for child abuse and neglect and also if you go onto the link below you will see some prevention and protection skills for child abuse.

http://www.sfcapc.org/press_room/information_about_child_abuse_and_prevention?gclid=CI3Hn-qa7sMCFXQQ7Aod3U4ANA