Abuse across the Life Course: Child Abuse

Chapter Six

Prevalence of Child Abuse

2009 more than 5.8 million children in the United States were involved in 3.2 million acts of abuse.

More than 5 children die every day, or 1,800 children per year, as a direct result of child abuse

75 percent of the children who die each day of child abuse are under the age of four

Statistics

Types of Child Abuse

Emotional Abuse

Physical Abuse

Neglect

Sexual Abuse

Emotional AbuseWarning Signs

excessively withdrawn, fearful, or anxious about doing something wrong

shows extremes in behavior (extremely compliant or extremely demanding; extremely passive or extremely aggressive)

does not seem to be attached to the parent or caregiver

acts either inappropriately “adult” (taking care of other children) or inappropriately infantile (rocking, thumb-sucking, throwing toddler-like tantrums)

Physical AbuseWarning Signs

frequent injuries or unexplained bruises, welts, or cuts

being watchful and “on alert,” as if waiting for something bad to happen

having injuries with a distinctive pattern such as marks from a hand or belt

shies away from touch, flinches at sudden movements, or seems afraid to go home

wearing inappropriate clothing to cover up injuries, such as long-sleeved shirts on hot days

Neglect Warning Signs clothes are ill-fitting, filthy, or inappropriate for the weather

hygiene is consistently bad (visibly soiled, matted and unwashed hair, noticeable body odor)

untreated illnesses and physical injuries

is frequently unsupervised or left alone or allowed to play in unsafe situations and environments

is frequently late to or missing from school

Sexual Abuse Warning Signs

trouble walking or sitting

displays knowledge or interest in sexual acts inappropriate to his or her age, or even seductive behavior

makes strong efforts to avoid a specific person, without an obvious reason

does not want to change clothes in front of others or participate in physical activities

an STD or pregnancy, especially under the age of fourteen

runs away from home

Child Sex Abuse and the Internet

http://www.eppgroup.eu/tv/default_en.asp?vid_id=100705_event

Protecting children from sexual abuse on the internet:

Who can help?Mandatory Reporters

Child Protective Services

Guardian Ad Litems

Four Domains of Risk Factors

parent or caregiver factors

family factors

child factors

environmental factors

Parent/Caregiver Factors

Family Factors• Family structure risk refers to the fact that certain

family forms or structures create situations in which child abuse is more likely to occur.

• For more statistics, visit : http://www.nccp.org/profiles/US_profile_6.html

http://www.nccp.org/profiles/images/US_dem_marriage_low-income_18.png

Child Factors

Age

Disabilities

Environmental Factors

poverty and unemployment

social isolation and lack of social support

living in a violent community

Protective Factors:Reducing the Risk

Protective

Reductive

Protective Factors

living in a two-parent family

having adequate financial resources,

becoming a parent after age twenty-five

having fewer children

Reductive Factors• +The ability to reduce the risk for child abuse or neglect by

targeting “at-risk families” and changing their risk factors into protective factors. Goldman and colleagues (2003) suggest that social support and a network of resources can serve as a protective factor even for a family that is otherwise at high risk.

• +What is Welcome Baby?

Outcomes of Child AbuseSubstance Abuse and Mental Health

Issues

High-Risk Sexual Behavior

Crime

Intervention and Prevention

Prevention Programs

Structural Changes