...Child Abuse 1 RUNNING HEAD: Child Abuse Advocate for Child Abuse Mike Gavaldon California State Los Angeles Child Abuse 2 There is a popular saying within the realm of individuals who deal with child abuse on a daily basis “Child abuse is more than bruises and broken bones”. As easy as the breakdown of that sentence is, the meaning of it has been well researched and simplified to scars of child abuse are not only physical but mental as well. Physical abuse at most times is not the most noticeable sign, there are a couple other types of abuse that are as scarring as the others, child neglect is one, emotional abuse being the other also the ability to leave profound, long lasting scars. There are numerous signs of child abuse, some of them are more subtle than others but by being aware and learning the different types of abuse and how you can help would make an enormous difference in someone’s life. The younger children are that get help after being abused; it creates a better chance for them to deal with their frustrations, feelings, anxieties and allows them a greater chance to deal with their form of abuse. Another facet of early help might be the most important is dealing with their issue so they don’t grow up and perpetuate the cycle. The principal part of being an advocate for ‘abused children’ would be to help inform, teach and make sure people learn the symptoms...
Words: 1436 - Pages: 6
...101-019 February 26, 2015 Influencing Factors of Child Abuse Child abuse is any recent act, or failure to act, by a parent or caretaker (Doak, 8). Forms of child abuse include negligent death, emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation (National Clearinghouse, 22). Though prevention efforts of child protection systems are in place, child maltreatment fatalities remain a serious problem for many nations. For example, child abuse is a huge problem in the United States. Federal involvement in addressing child abuse issues dates back to 1935 (Doak, 45). For the protection and care of homeless, dependent or neglected children, and children in danger of becoming delinquents, the United States uses case studies from the National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect (Doak, 43). The National Incidence Study (NIS) is a congressional mandated, periodic attempt to discover influencing factors, form awareness, and suppress child abuse (Doak, 43). According to case studies of the NIS, there were at least 1,400 child fatalities in the general population in 2002 (National Clearinghouse, 22). However, the estimate does not include lost cases, due to lack of a consensus in coding and possible pervert investigations (National Clearinghouse, 22). Still, according to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS), child abuse contributing factors include the following: family structure, poverty, alcohol and substance abuse; and domestic violence (Rein, 59). Generally, young...
Words: 936 - Pages: 4
...Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse | Generalist 241 | Mandie Boster | 4/21/2014 4/21/2014 There have been an increasing number of reported child abuse and child neglect cases rising in the United States. We see them in the headlines and hear of them on the news but very rarely do we hear of stories of adult survivors of child abuse and the treatment or theories that have helped them overcome the trauma. This paper will look at child sexual abuse victims and the adult survivors that have had positive outcomes after treatment or therapy. According to Karakurt and Silver (2014), “childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is any sexual abuse with a child through the use of force, threat or deceit to secure the child’s participation, or any sexual contact with a child who is incapable of consenting by virtue of age, disability, or power differential”. The Social Work Dictionary states (1995), “victims often cannot or are unwilling to understand or resist the advances of the abuser”. Child sexual abuse happens to children of every race, age, and socioeconomic background; perpetrators do not discriminate. According to an article in Healthcare Risk Management (2012), “about 95% of the reported abuse is perpetrated by someone the child knows and trust”. When children are abused by people they love and trust many times they are afraid, ashamed or do not understand how to report the abuse or to whom they should report it to. The cases that are reported are sometimes not reported...
Words: 4152 - Pages: 17
...Child Abuse Child abuse is one of the common threats posed during child development. There are multiple types of child abuse such as physical, emotional, verbal and neglect (Santrock, 2013). Studies show child abuse recognized more in economically developed countries than in developing countries. Children, however, have been beaten and abandoned for many thousands of years, based primarily on the belief that children are the property of their parents. Children have always been susceptible to abuse by their parents or other adults for many centuries because laws failed to protect them. In earlier years civilizations usually abandoned deformed or unwanted children. That was past; now, the biggest issue is to combat child abuse and there are many options deployed by the U.S government to protect children right against abuse. In the thirteenth-century both children and parents thought of beatings as in the child's best interest. Children were also beaten by their teachers. In the fourteenth through sixteenth centuries child abuse was still common. However, there was decrease of abuse in wealthy communities. Later in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century fathers commonly placed their children in internships to provide cheap labor. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries this tradition continued into the early years of the United States. (THE HISTORY OF CHILD ABUSE , 2013) Child abuse first captured the nation's attention with an eight-year-old orphan named...
Words: 1534 - Pages: 7
...When Is Discipline, Child Abuse? Many people have noticed that parents are starting to get more frustrated with with their lives and are taking it out on their children. Parents start to under think their actions and instead of disciplining their children, they are abusing their children. There are many precautions that should be taken when dealing with situations like these. Many experiments can be done in order to determine if abuse is taking place in the home. In order to determine child abuse, authorities usually look for bruises or broken bones in bad families but child abuse is determined by factors that are sometimes unknown. Child abuse is defined by internet dictionaries as physical, emotional, or sexual mistreatment of children. OkKids released documents on the case of Naomi Whitecrow and her child abuse story taken to the extreme (OkKids). Naomi Whitecrow was taken from her biological mother in February of 2008 and was sent to a foster home in September of 2008. Naomi died January 20th of 2009 from severe child abuse while in foster care. While people may think that children get bruises all the time, Naomi had bruises on her chest, face, back, legs, buttock, and head from Amy Holder, her foster mother. Although it was believed to be Amy Holder who was the cause of Naomi’s death, the defense argued that Holder brought Naomi to the doctor five days prior because she was a “concerned mother”. This case also shows that Holder brought in a “texas expert” to notify...
Words: 1263 - Pages: 6
...CHILD ABUSE Inn our world today there is an unspeakable tragic event that is plaguing our children. This event that I’m referring to is child abuse. There are many different types of child abuse, which includes sexual, physical, and emotional. This abuse happens more times than people are aware of. In the next paragraph I will go in depth about these types of abuse. First to be discussed is sexual abuse. To define this term by Webster’s dictionary is sexual contact with a child that occurs as a result of force or in a relationship where it is exploitative because of an age difference or caretaking responsibly. Sexual abuse doesn’t just happen to women. The majority of sexual abuse cases are men and boys. Most men have had an encounter like this and it has affected them most drastically. It eventually becomes a a very tragic cerebral event. The next discussed is physical abuse. This type is has many similarities of sexual abuse but a lot of differences as well. To define physical abuse is any non-accidental injury to a child under the age of 18 by a parent or caretaker. These injuries may include beatings, shaking, burns, human bites, strangulation, or immersion in scalding water or others, with resulting bruises and welts, fractures, scars burns, internal injuries or any other injuries. Of all the abuse this is the most dangerous because of the consequence of death that could be resulting. These signs are the most important to watch for. The next discussed is emotional...
Words: 491 - Pages: 2
...Child Abuse The age group of choice is school aged years. The types of abuse that are most often seen in this age group are physical abuse and sexual abuse. Any intentional bodily harm inflicted on a child is physical abuse. It may occur due to burning, beating, biting, punching or poisoning, among other factors. Within this age group, it mainly results from excessive discipline by caregivers. It often leads to cuts, burns, bruises or broken bones. The effects are long-lasting and may result in death in severe cases. Sexual abuse, on the other hand, includes any form of sexual advances, be it by touching, by intercourse or by exposing children to sexual materials. Both physical and sexual abuse can happen concurrently, and the effects may extend to adulthood. Warning signs that a nurse may see that could indicate child abuse include behavioral abnormalities. In this case, the nurse does not ignore inappropriate behavior by assuming it is mere disobedience. Fear and difficulty in expressing emotions, withdrawal and isolation, stranger anxiety, physical injuries, scars, missing hair and excessive crying, among others, are the findings to look out for during physical and emotional assessments. Inappropriate clothing and uncomfortable movement may also be indicators. Cultural variations of health practices that can be misidentified as child abuse include dermabrasion therapy (Davis, 2000). Although it used to treat illnesses, it is often mistaken for child abuse since it involves...
Words: 329 - Pages: 2
...Child Abuse Abril Smith Albany State University Dr. Ibe Abstract Child Abuse is one of the most unreported crimes in the United States. The crime rate is increasing by the year. There are different types of child abuse. Every type of child abuse is affect in a different way. As you read my paper, you will gain a better understanding of child abuse. Studies have reported that they are finding different ways to help heal children from child neglect. Introduction Throughout this world, there are millions of children who are abused and neglected. Child abuse is one of the most harmful crimes that have a major effect over children. However, Child abuse is a global concern in this country. Child abuse is one of the most underreported crimes in this world. The crime rate is steadily increasing across the world. Child Abuse is basically any sexual contact between a child and an adult or another child. There are many different kind of sexual abuse or assault of a child. Some forms are: actual or attempted penetration of the anus or vagina, oral sexual contact, foundling or touching the child’s private parts of forcing the child to touch other private parts, exposing children to adult sexual activity, and having children to perform in pornographic movies. It has been stated that one in every four girls and one in every six boys will be victim of sexual abuse before the age of 18. There are many places where Child abuse takes place, such as: neighborhoods, ethnic, and socio-economic...
Words: 1403 - Pages: 6
...Discipline or Abuse: Where is the line drawn? According to childhelp.org, a foundation for the prevention and treatment of child abuse, every year 3.3 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States. And in these 3.3 million reports approximately six million children are harmed every year by one of these malicious acts; and that’s about six million too many. Simply defined, child abuse refers to physical, mental, or sexual harm done to a minor whether it is intentional or unintentional. But, unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Not only are there several different categories for child abuse, but states also have their own laws are regulations defining the acts. Although Congress has enacted several pieces of legislature in response to the continual problem, clearly that is not enough. It was reported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that in 2011 approximately 5 children were lost every day due to abuse related deaths (childhelp.org). There is an obvious need for reformation in order for this pandemic to be overcome. Although it’s not the most known form of maltreatment, child neglect is the most prevalent form of child abuse in the U.S. today, as reported on childhelp.org by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They reported that of the 3.3 million cases reported each year, 78.3 percent alone is due to child neglect (childhelp.org). Neglect falls into four basic categories: physical, educational, emotional, and medical. Physical...
Words: 1693 - Pages: 7
...Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect Tommy Wilson Child Abuse and Neglect (CJ436) August 12,2010 Child Abuse and Neglect Child abuse and neglect is a growing problem in the United States. Child abuse and neglect may take place in many forms. It is important that we have a clear understanding of the reporter’s expression when reading news article. Many of these news articles provide detailed information concerning the growing problems and available programs concerning child abuse and neglect. After reading nine news articles related to child abuse and neglect, I was able to understand the reporter’s expressions and view points. Reporters often use various techniques to expresses themselves; words may be used to catch the reader’s attention. A majority of reporters provide their own view points of the people involved in the abuse, in many cases, the parents of the victimized child. Additionally, many news articles offer solutions to child abuse and neglect. The first news article I read was “A Tragedy That Is Ours to Stop”. This news article was writing by Colbert I. King and published by The Washington Post. The news article was centered on the death of a 5 month old infant. Once again the murderer is the mother of the infant. King opens the eyes of many readers by revealing that the death of the 5 month old infant is much deeper than the average child abuse case. The death took place when the 15 year old mother rolled over on...
Words: 2411 - Pages: 10
...Child Abuse and Neglect 29 30 Dimensions and Critical Issues of Child Maltreatment in the African American Community: Causation, Consequences, and Prospects Presenter: Respondent: Joyce N. Thomas, R.N., M.P.H. Robert Pierce, Ph.D. Introduction African Americans, the largest minority population in the United States, suffer disproportionately from preventable diseases and deaths—(Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, 1994). This statement from the Office of Minority Health not only captures the tragic problem of health related issues of African Americans, it also applies to the social welfare problems of these children and their families. Each year over 2,000 children die at the hands of their parents or caretakers (U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect, 1995). Abuse and neglect in the home are considered one of the leading causes of death for children four years of age and younger and the largest number of child abuse fatalities is due to severe head trauma. Homicide statistics are only part of the grim reality, with near–fatal abuse and neglect accounting for more than 18,000 permanently disabled children, and approximately 142,000 serious injuries (Baladerian, 1991). Findings from the report, A Nation’s Shame: Fatal Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States, indicate that African Americans are overrepresented in both fatalities and near–fatal injuries (U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect, 1995). Research shows that...
Words: 8401 - Pages: 34
...Child abuse among school-aged children is a very common form of violence in the United States. The two most common type of child abuse in school-aged are: Neglect: the most common type of child abuse; it is a pattern of failing to provide for a child’s basic needs, whether it may be adequate food, clothing, hygiene, or supervision. Neglect is one of the most difficult types of child abuse to find, especially because older children may not exhibit outward signs of neglect. They become used to their environment, sometimes having to step up and become the adult. (www.helpguide.org) A nurse should assess for bad hygiene, ill-fitting clothes, body odor, and untreated injuries or medical problems. Nurses should asses school attendance and home behavior at home, if possible (www.wild-iris.org) Warning signs of neglect in the school-aged child include ill-fitting clothes, bad hygiene, untreated illnesses and physical injuries. The neglected child is frequently left alone or allowed to play in dangerous areas. The child is frequently tardy or absent from school. Physical abuse is another common type of abuse in school-aged children. Physical abuse is one of the easier types of abuse to find because it is easy to visualize the marks left behind, but it is the hardest to differentiate between abuse & discipline. Obviously if there are broken bones or patterned bruises, that would lead one to suspect abuse. (www.helpguide.org) A child can exhibit contusions, lacerations, burns...
Words: 578 - Pages: 3
...03/07/2013 Child Neglection Child neglection in the United States is a big occurring crime today. Most do not see child neglection as a big deal, but to the kids it takes a mental and physical tole on them. The National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System defines neglection as a type of maltreatment that refers to the failure by the caregiver or parent to provide the needed, age-appropriate care for their children. They also say that unlike physical and sexual abuse, neglect has some what more of an effect on that child. It also states that unfortunately child neglect receives less attention from family doctors, medical researchers, and school educators. They say it is because neglection is difficult to identify unless the child is showing major signs. The American Humane Society states there are three types of child neglect; physical, educational, and emotion/psychological. Physical neglect generally involves the parent not providing the child or children with their basic needs like adequate food, clothing and some a sustainable form of shelter. Physical Neglects also includes child abandonment, no supervision, and rejection towards the child. This type of neglect can take a big impact on a child’s development. Educational neglect involves the failure of the parent to enroll their child of mandatory age in school or provide the correct home schooling. This can lead to the child failing to obtain...
Words: 279 - Pages: 2
...CHILD ABUSE Definition: Child abuse is the physical, sexual or emotional mistreatment of children. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define child maltreatment as any act or series of acts of commission or omission by a parent or other caregiver that results in harm, potential for harm, or threat of harm to a child. Most child abuse occurs in a child's home, with a smaller amount occurring in the organizations, schools or communities the child interacts with. There are four major categories of child abuse: neglect, physical abuse, psychological/emotional abuse and child sexual abuse. Different jurisdictions have developed their own definitions of what constitutes child abuse for the purposes of removing a child from his/her family and/or prosecuting a criminal charge. According to the Journal of Child Abuse and Neglect, child abuse is "any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation, an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm". Causes Child abuse is a complex phenomenon with multiple causes. Understanding the causes of abuse is crucial to addressing the problem of child abuse. Parents who physically abuse their spouses are more likely than others to physically abuse their children. However...
Words: 6361 - Pages: 26
...Child abuse is one of the biggest problems facing America today. Children whose parents abuse them often turn to a life of crime, or suffer physical or mental scars. In severe cases the child may even die. In Saint Louis a boy was attacked by a pack of dogs, after he had finished playing basketball at the local court. If his mother had reported him missing he may have been found in time to rescue him, instead he bled to death under a tree. (Davis 3A) Of course this is an extreme case of child abuse, and it is often not this severe. The best way to prevent child neglect is to start family planning at an earlier age. It is tough for many people to understand why anyone would abuse a child, but it happens more than people think. Intergenerational transmission of violence is a major cause of child abuse. Children who were abused when they were young are more likely to be abusive when they grow up and have children. (Compton’s 1) Some studies have shown that thirty percent of abused children grow up to be abusive parents. Children who were not abused and grow up to have children are much less likely to be abusive parents, only two to three percent of people will be abusive. (Child Abuse and Neglect 1) People would tend to question why a child who knows how hard it was when they were young would grow up and do this to their child. Children grow up thinking that everything their parents do is right. The problem is when these children are abused they don’t often learn that it is the...
Words: 1634 - Pages: 7
