...The Rise of Child Maltreatment Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these (NIV, Matthew 19:14). The Old and New Testament demonstrate abundantly that children are a heritage from God and a crown of the aged (Psalms 127:3; Proverbs 17:6). Despite this there are many in this world who view children as chattel, even a hindrance and a curse; thus, too many children are subjected to cruelty and atrocities. There has been historic awareness created in regards to child abuse since the 1970’s; nonetheless, there has been an increase in neglect, murder, rape, and the trafficking of children. Child maltreatment is not exclusive to any one socioeconomic level; however, “African American, Native American, and multi-racial children have higher incidents of reported abuse than that of other children” (Child Trends, 2014, para 8.). 45% of children age 5 and under are the most vulnerable to maltreatment with fatalities being the highest among these age groups (Safe Horizon, 2014, para.2.). According to statistics from the Department of Health and Human Services, “Nationally four fifths (78.3%) of victims were neglected, 18.3% were physically abused, 9.3% were sexually abused, and 8.5% were psychologically maltreated. For 2012, a nationally estimated 1,640 children died of abuse and neglect at a rate of 2.20 children per 100,000 children in the national population” (DHHS, 2012, p.4., para. 4,5.). Human...
Words: 1183 - Pages: 5
...In 2010 I performed my school counseling internship at an urban school and had to report suspected child abuse several times a month. My experience prompted me to research child maltreatment laws in the USA. McLeod &Nelson,(2011), stated that child abuse is considered a major issue and public awareness is on the rise since 1960s. It influenced the passing of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) in 1974. (McLeod &Nelson,2011)Passing of CAPTA by the Congress was a significant event in addressing child abuse, because it provided the minimum standards for each state to follow when identifying and responding to suspicion of child abuse. (Henderson,2013). In addition, CAPTA secured federal funding for the states for prevention, identification, and addressing child maltreatment. In 20 years, each state received between $20-$30 million in federal grants. (Henderson,2013) Child abuse legislature and guidelines for counseling professionals as mandated reporters of child abuse vary from state to state. Even before CAPTA In 1963-1967, all fifty stated and district of Columbia "and "enacted some form of child maltreatment reporting Procedures"(McLeod &Nelson,2011, p.12 .) Mental Health counselors should adhere to their State's guidelines when making a decision to report a possible case of child maltreatment. They can find those guidelines on the U.S. Department of Human Services website (2011) as well each State ‘s Department of Human Services...
Words: 579 - Pages: 3
...Introduction A Child Called “It” by author David Pelzer is an incredibly emotional and vivid story of the experiences of a young boy. About his own life, Pelzer describes how he endured unthinkable abuse at the hand of his own mother. He provides detailed accounts of the abuse and neglect as well as the emotions and pain he endured, his struggle to cope and survive, and how he eventually was freed from her and the hell he was living. A Child Called “It” is a disturbingly real example of how children are victimized through various forms of maltreatment. Body Child maltreatment is not a new problem it has been occurring probably since the beginning of time. It wasn’t until the last few decades that child victimization has been recognized. Even then, child abuse and neglect in the home was overlooked and victimization by strangers was the focus. Thankfully, that has begun to change due to initiatives to increase awareness and reporting as well as to efforts better asses and understand child victims. Pelzer was the victim of abuse in the 1960’s and early 1970’s. He was finally removed from his home in 1973. Even though Child Welfare Services existed at that time, their services were limited and most abuse in the home was not addressed. It wasn’t until 1974 that the U.S Congress enacted the Child Abuse and Prevention and Treatment Act which required each state to establish policies and procedures for reporting and investigating child abuse and neglect (Burgess, Regehr...
Words: 2190 - Pages: 9
...Altruism in Society University of Phoenix PSY 400 Altruism in Society Child abuse is more than cuts and bruises. Abuse also involves emotional abuse and child neglect. Along with the physical scars left behind by an abusive parent or individual, a child abused physically and emotionally will have long-lasting emotional scars. Out of the thousands of child abuse cases reported each year, more than half of these victims were age one and under. The Center of Disease Control and Prevention reported more than half of abused children are girls. Child neglect cases accounted for about 30% of child deaths and more than half of those fatalities were children under age four ("Child Maltreatment," 2010). Of the child abuse cases reported, more than 70% were cases of child neglect, 15% were cases of physical abuse, 10% were sexual abuse cases, and 10% were cases of mental abuse ("Child Maltreatment," 2010). History and Nature of Child Abuse The history of Child Protection in America generally divides into three separate eras: Colonial times until 1875, 1875 until 1962, and 1962 until modern day (Myers, 2008). The second era of child protection was the awakening and growth through nongovernmental societies, whereas the third era established itself as the era of government sponsored Child Protective Services (CPS) (Myers, 2008). Before the sweep of nongovernmental CPS in 1875, attempts to intervene in situations of abused children were sporadic (Myers, 2008). The New York...
Words: 2244 - Pages: 9
...Content The issue of child abuse and neglect is serious, controversial, and is escalating in today’s society. Many people are not aware, but child abuse is rampant in our society. Many child abuse and neglect cases go unreported because a person may not know the signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect or perhaps the person or person may feel that this is an private issue and needs to be handle with in the home and no outsiders should be involved. Without the proper awareness of child abuse and neglect and the involvement of everyone this issue will continue to raise our eyebrows. In researching this topic, a title came up labeled "It shouldn't hurt to be a child". The title itself speaks volume when it comes to how our little children feel as it happens too often; it is little too late to for that young child who still have so much life ahead of them. Just goggling “child abuse cases” several came up whether it was a news article or a scholar article on child abuse prevention. This type of mistreatment towards our youth does have potential for youth to become juvenile delinquents. The problem is that the youth learns that behavior of child neglect and abuse is okay and acceptable because the one person they believe who loved them unconditional was this way toward them. It’s unfortunately that it may be too late before the youth realize this behavior should not be tolerate or acceptable and it set the child and family up for failure. The child behavior can lead to deviancy...
Words: 1331 - Pages: 6
...“Mental illness refers to a wide range of mental health conditions- disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior”, (Mayoclinic). People diagnosed with mental disorders reflect on their past to institute the reason being in the condition they are faced with firsthand. A diagnosis of a mental health condition is not only a fraction of the behavioral effect of the average human being’s behavior, but a dosage of daily struggles one will experience firsthand. Mental illness is a controversial issue, however society needs to understand that mental illness is not something you are born with, but solely a condition that affects the path you take, because of life events and traumatic experiences, not genetic inheritance (The Telegraph). To begin with, mental disorders are nothing to be ashamed of, these conditions associated with changes in thinking, behavior, and functional abilities, however mental illness has become a large factor in contributing to American society. In other words, being diagnosed with a mental disorder impacts the American society in various ways, such as the troubles in daily functioning, distress, and traumatic involuntary memory. In fact, organizations such as the World Health Organization issued a report that 25 percent of the American population is affected by a mental or behavioral disorder during their life (Schmidt). For example, society and individuals romanticize mental illness far too often, social media plays a large role because people aspire...
Words: 1690 - Pages: 7
...The Family Growth Center Program Evaluation “Child abuse continues to be a major problem in the United States. In 2000, the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System found that of the three million suspected child maltreatment cases reported to Child Protective Service agencies across the nation, about 879,000 children were victims of child maltreatment. Approximately 63% of these children were victims of neglect, 19% were abused physically, 10% were abused sexually, and 8% were psychologically abused. In most of these cases, the children’s parents were the abusers.” (Shannon, L. C. ) Child abuse is a significant public health issue affecting thousands of families each year. Effective approaches to child abuse prevention includes promoting stable, safe, nurturing relationships as a program, which assists families in maintaining positive parenting practices. The Family Growth Center (FCG) has linked with families to prevent child abuse and neglect through a community-based, 15-week parental-education program entitled “ Parent Nurturing Program.” Programs for children and parents led by trained facilitators incorporates the Bavolek and Comstock model “Nurturing Program for Parents and Children,” which teaches cognitive and behavioral skills. The goal of The Family Growth Center is to abuse and neglect from occurding and re-occudring by reducing the risk factors such as stress, depression...
Words: 1539 - Pages: 7
...Child Abuse - A Hidden Epidemic in America There is a well-known but grossly underreported crime that is occurring daily, not only abroad, but right here in the United States as well. This crime not only affects a person at the time of the event, but for a lifetime. Although there are better attempts being made to further understand its diversity and complexity, the question still lies, is enough being done to control and prevent it from happening. This crime is child exploitation and abuse. Though it seems absurd to most, it is certainly happening worldwide and there is documented evidence that will be explored in this research paper. By examining this documented evidence I will try to determine the roots and causes of this despicable crime and uncover some avenues and characteristics that lead to its continued behavior. I hope to combine my sources to paint a picture of the epidemic of child abuse today and throughout history in America. I hope to examine the risks factors for child abuse and identify ways to educate parents, child care providers, educators and any other persons who may come into contact with our most vulnerable citizens, our children, on how we can prevent child abuse from occurring in the future. The federal government defines child abuse and neglect, at a minimum, any recent act or failure to act of the part of a parent or caretaker, which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation, or an act or failure...
Words: 3526 - Pages: 15
...Child Abuse and Investigation Janna-kae Morrison Kaplan University Unit 9 Project CM 107 I. Introduction a) The impact of child abuse b) Child abuse is on the rise but there are different ways in which social workers can investigate child abuse in order to protect children. II. Child abuse is a problem in the human services field that is affecting many families. a) There are different types of child abuse b) Different types of abuse can scare children c) It can cause children to be separated from their families III. What can social workers and other authorities do to protect children and family in child abuse cases? a) Parenting class b) Counseling c) Anger management class Child abuse has been affecting tens and thousands of children and their families around the world for years now, leading to physical, intellectual and psychological repercussions. Majority of parents and caregivers do not intend to hurt children; they may think they are punishing a child but the effect it has on the child is what constitutes the abuse. There are different types of child abuse (see Figure 1, showing the types of child abuse) that can cause social workers and other government officials to enter a family’s house and separate the child or children from their family. The aim of this paper is to examine the various types...
Words: 1906 - Pages: 8
...Child Prostitution Child prostitution refers to children and adolescents receiving money or other items of value in exchange for engaging in sexual acts or allowing sexual acts to be performed on them. Child prostitution is a form of sexual abuse. According to Child Maltreatment, published in 2008, sexual abuse is defined as a type of maltreatment that refers to the involvement of the child in sexual activity to provide sexual benefit or financial benefit to the perpetrator, including contacts for sexual purposes, molestation, statutory rape, (child) prostitution, (child) pornography, exposure, incest or other sexually exploitative activities. Both girls and boys may be prostituted. Some children have had hundreds of sex partners. They usually continue a life of prostitution into adulthood. Federal laws in the United States, as well as laws in every state, ban child prostitution. In the United States, any person who knowingly transports any child under the age of 18 years in interstate or foreign commerce or in any commonwealth, territory or possession of the United States, with the intent that the individual engage in prostitution or in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense, or attempts to do so, may be fined or imprisoned. In some states, such as Maine and Wisconsin, prostituting one's child is specific grounds for the termination of parental rights. (In other states, parental rights may be terminated for sexual abuse, abandonment...
Words: 1258 - Pages: 6
...development, as human growth escalates rapidly during the first few years of life. It is a period of growth that is especially sensitive and vulnerable to the effects of maltreatment (Hildyard & Wolfe, 2002). When childhood neglect occurs during this very sensitive period, issues of safety, attachment, and social-emotional functioning are often identified as areas that need immediate intervention. The following paper will focus on the issue of early childhood neglect and the possible effects it can have on development during infancy according to three expert theorists Mary Ainsworth, Erik Erikson, and Albert Bandura. This paper is also written using the stories from “Paul”, (a pseudonym), a victim of childhood neglect: My name is Paul. I was born in 1995 to my mother who was thirteen years old. Her boyfriend, my father, was seventeen. My father was never involved in my life, as he was actively involved in criminal behavior, which ultimately led to his early death by gun violence. I was ten months old when my father was killed and I have no memories of him. My mother hid her pregnancy until she was 36 weeks and did not receive any prenatal care. Although she was pregnant with me, she experimented with drugs and alcohol, which may have altered my prenatal development. My mother was very young; a child herself; and did not welcome the...
Words: 3931 - Pages: 16
...CHILD ABUSE Miami Dade College Professor Grooms PSY2012 April 14th, 2012 At least every ten seconds a report of child abuse is reported across the United States. Child Abuse is a topic that can put fear in the heart of any parent, grandparent or guardian. Child abuse is a very delicate yet important issue in the world. Why is child abuse such a bug problem? Because Child abuse is also the type of problem where any child can fall prey especially, because child abuse does not seem to discriminate against age, sex, race, religion, or economic backgrounds. Parents, grandparents or guardians run the high risk of knowing their child’s abuser. Children of all ages are vulnerable to abuse. More than five children die every day as a result of child abuse. (U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2011) Child abuse in most cases starts mostly with an individual whom was abused as a child therefore, repeating the cycle, users of drugs, and/or alcohol. Child Abuse has come to be known as a silent problem because someone they know and trust people like teachers, relative, family friend or even a caretaker will abuse almost all of these children and yet feel the fear to never say anything to anyone. More than 90% of juvenile sexual abuse victims know their perpetrator in some way. (Synder, July) During recent years, the public eye has become more informed on child abuse. There are many components to child abuse but specifically there are four general categories of child neglect...
Words: 2267 - Pages: 10
...Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse Shobila Kaligounder Marymount University Introduction As per UNICEF’s (2014) definition, sexual violence against children comprises any sexual activities imposed by an adult on a child against which the child is entitled to protection by criminal law. This includes: (a) The inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful or psychologically harmful sexual activity; (b) The use of children in commercial sexual exploitation; (c) The use of children in audio or visual images of child sexual abuse; and (d) Child prostitution, sexual slavery, sexual exploitation in travel and tourism, trafficking for purposes of sexual exploitation (within and between countries), sale of children for sexual purposes and forced marriage. Sexual activities are also considered as abuse when committed against a child by another child if the offender is significantly older than the victim or uses power, threat or other means of pressure. Consensual sexual activities between children are not considered as sexual abuse if the children are older than the age limit defined by the State Party. In spite of a clear definition for child sexual abuse violence in the lives of children is so real and as an international community we do very little to protect them. There is also a dearth of data to prove the prevalence of violence due to the hidden nature of the abuse and gives a false notion that it is a rare occurrence. Children are vulnerable to sexual victimization...
Words: 3402 - Pages: 14
... Heathly and normal can be a matter of perspective and culture. Research has provided the understanding that what happens to a child during the developmental phases of life affect them conscious and unconsciously; with the most effect coming from within the family system. Roehlkepartain reports that spiritual development is an essential aspect that can either be a catalyst towards their spirituality or pull the child away from it. In relation to the materials this week the information I feel is not clearly defined as to what is normal and healthy. Parenting styles were covered in the text this week and the research supports the different models of the types of parenting. On the other hand research has provided a great deal of information as to what is not healthy and condusive to development and learning within the family system. There are several factors that can contribute to the development and family including parenting style, poverty, abuse, child care and education. There are four types of parenting that Feldman (2014) has identified as ciritual to the development of a child these four types of parenting styles have effects on their children. 1.) Authoritiarian parents tend to be controlling and very strict. These children are not allowed to express themselves or their opinions. The effects that this type of parenting has on the child is that they become hostile, withdrawn and lack social skills and are uneasy in their settings. 2.) Premissive parents tend...
Words: 1009 - Pages: 5
...Affects of Multiple Deployments on Military Service Members and Families during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF): Time Period 2001-2012 Gina Pagano-Briglin, MSW University of the Incarnate Word 3 December 2012 I. Introduction Since September 11, 2001, there have been significant changes in the security measures of air travel, financial security, but one of the most significant changes is that of military operations. The United States began combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan on October 7, 2001 in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks officially referred to as Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Since October 2001, about 1.9 million service members have been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq (Asbury & Martin, 2011). OEF/OIF has many unique features with regard to the military forces being sent to fight oversees. The all-volunteer military has experienced multiple deployments to the combat areas, with an increased use of the National Guard and Reserve Components, higher numbers of deployed women and parents of young children, and increases in the number of service members surviving severe injuries and other side effects from combat (Shaw & Hector, 2010). Service members may be subjected to more than one deployment. Studies show that overall about 40% of current military service members have been deployed more than once, with over one quarter serving...
Words: 7054 - Pages: 29
