Child Abuse - What is it

CHILD RAPE & ABUSE
WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE

Child abuse is defined as the willful and unjustifiable infliction of pain and suffering on children.

The term can denote the use of inordinate physical violence, verbal abuse, incest, sexual molestation, rape, the making of child pornography and the failure to furnish proper shelter, nourishment, medical treatment and emotional support.

There are 5 documented types of child abuse:

1) Emotional Abuse is a chronic pattern of behavior such as belittling, humiliating and ridiculing a child.

2) Emotional Neglect is the consistent failure of parents or caretakers to provide a child with appropriate support, attention and affection. Both types of emotional abuse negatively affect a child's emotional development and sense of self-worth.

3) Physical Neglect is failure to provide children with adequate food, clothing, shelter and medical care. Physical neglect also includes abandonment, expulsion from home and failure to enroll children in school.

It is important to distinguish between willful neglect and a parent's failure to provide the necessities of life because of poverty or cultural norms.

4) Physical Abuse includes cuts, fractures, bruises, shaking injuries, burns and internal injuries.

While most children do not directly disclose that they have been abused, there are many indirect behaviors and characteristics that are commonly observed in abused children. If you notice one or more of the following indicators in a child, the possibility of abuse should be considered and appropriate action taken.

Some common physical indicators of abuse:
* Unexplained bruises, welts and abrasions on face, lips, mouth, torso, back, buttocks and thighs
* Bruises, welts and abrasions reflecting the shape of the article used to inflict 'punishment'
* Bruises, welts and abrasions that regularly appear after an absence, like a weekend away
* Unexplained burns, for example, cigarette burns especially on soles, palms, backs and buttocks
* Immersion burns on buttocks or genitals
* Infected burns, indicating a delay in seeking treatment
* Unexplained fractures, dislocations or sprains to the skull, nose, facial structure, arms and legs
* Any repeated injury for which the explanation is inadequate or inconsistent.

5) Sexual Abuse is defined as acts of sexual assault and sexual exploitation of minors by parents, caregivers or strangers. Sexual abuse includes a broad range of behaviors and may consist of a single incident or many incidents over a long period of time.

Sexual abuse includes the fondling of a child's genitals, intercourse, incest, rape, sodomy, exhibitionism and sexual exploitation. Experts believe sexual abuse is under-reported because of the secrecy which is often a part of the abusive incident.

Some common behavioral indicators of sexual abuse:
Infancy:
* Excessive masturbating or insertion of objects into orifices
* Difficulty in sleeping, relaxing, and or eating
* Passive and withdrawn, or clingy and fussy.

Latency:
* Excessive masturbating or insertion of objects into orifices
* Bed-wetting
* Eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia, obesity)
* Avoidance of sports or games
* Avoiding adults
* Mentioning a "secret" in the family
* Sexual behavior with other children
* Overly knowledgeable about specific sexual acts.

Adolescence:
* Obsessive behavior
* Self-destructive behavior (e.g. self-mutilation)
* Isolation, fearfulness or excessive anxiety
* Promiscuity or prostitution
* Running away
* Wary of adult contact.

Adulthood:
* Sexual difficulties
* Insecurity, impassivity, low self-esteem
* Eating disorders
* Drug or alcohol abuse.

Child abuse is a widespread, though drastically underreported, phenomenon. Incest and child sexual molestation are particularly underreported. Even though widely prevalent, child abuse is usually overlooked by families, friends and the community.

Prejudice, anxiety, apathy and shame seem to be the major reasons for this failure to recognize or report abuse, which ultimately leads to its perpetuation.

Report abuse - it's the right thing to do!

Women Against Child Abuse - Fighting For Their Rights.
(011) 789-8815