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excessively withdrawn, fearful, or anxious about doing something wrong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