Child abuse: causes, effects, and prevention strategies

Child Abuse

There is an estimated three million children abused or neglected each year in the United States, however, because abuse is not always reported, the statistics concerning child abuse may be incorrect and/or incomplete (Four 6). Most abusers are identified as the parents of the child, however, other relatives, such as uncles, aunts, grandparents, and siblings are also among abusers, as are step-parents, a parent's live-in partner, and even neighbors are just as often to be a child abuser (Havelin 6). There are many forms of abuse, each resulting in distinct ramifications (Four pp).

Abuse is generally considered to be the misuse or a person or object, for example, if a cell phone is not working properly an individual may become angry and smash it on the floor, resulting in no one suffering except perhaps the person who threw it because now he is without a phone and will have to purchase another at some monetary cost (Four pp). However, when the abuse is placed upon a human being, then everyone involved suffers ramifications (Four pp).

The four main types of child abuse listed in the majority of medical journals are sexual, emotional, mental, and physical (Four pp). These are the most commonly reported abuses and are responsible for ninety-eight percent of reported abuse cases in the United States (Four pp).

Sexual abuse is "rape, sexual assault or sexual molestation wherein the active person forces themselves onto the abused which may be of the same or opposite sex and of any age" (Four pp). Sexual abuse, particularly if it continues over a period of time, results in the victim feeling a loss of control not just over their bodies, but over their entire lives as well (Four pp). There may or may not be physical signs, such as bruises and abrasions, of sexual abuse, however, there are behaviors that provide clues to the occurrence of sexual abuse (Four pp). Victims may react by avoiding all intimate contact with others or may use sex as a way to express emotions such as love and acceptance, often becoming involved with various sexual acts which can lead to the development of deviate sexual behaviors (Four pp). It is very important that victims of sexual abuse seek both medical intervention to ensure against sexually transmitted diseases, and counseling with a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in sexual abuse to ensure the victim learns proper coping skills for feelings and attitudes regarding sex and intimacy (Four pp). David Finkelhor, director of Crimes Against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire, reports that approximately 200,000 children a year are sexually abused (Thompson pp).

Emotional abuse is generally defined as "the debasement of a person's feeling so that he perceives himself as inept, uncared for and/or worthless" (Four pp). Parents and teachers often say things to a child regarding his/her behavior or skills that make a child feel as if they are stupid or useless, resulting in harm to a child's ego and creating feelings of low self-esteem and self-worth (Four pp). Children of emotional abuse develop feelings of shame, embarrassment and guilt because they feel as though they are a burden to those around them (Four pp).

These feelings often lead to depression, isolation and suicide, " and although there are no physical injuries, the damage from emotional abuse damages the "mind, heart and spirit" of a child (Four pp). Victims of emotional abuse often need medical intervention for antidepressant medications, along with therapy from a psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in emotional abuse in order to learn to deal with the feelings of worthlessness and isolation (Four pp).

Mental abuse is "when one person uses another person's insecurities, phobias and fear to force another to do as they wish," such as "withholding various items, feelings, affection, or personal and physical needs such as food, sleep, water, comfort, warmth and even elimination" as a way to get the victim to do the abuser's bidding (Four pp). Children of mental abuse are suffer from depression, emotional withdrawal, low self-esteem, sleep disorders, or suicide, and may develop self-mutilating behaviors or become socially isolated (Four pp).

Again, therapy with a licensed psychotherapist and psychologist is necessary for children of mental abuse (Four pp).

Physical abuse is the most obvious and most easily diagnosable type of child abuse, and is defined as "one or more episodes of aggressive behavior usually resulting in physical injury with possible damage to internal organs, sense organs, the central nervous system or the muscle or bones of another person" (Four pp). Common signs or indications of physical abuse include:

Physical evidence of abuse and/or neglect including evidence of previous injuries; Conflicting stories about the "accident" or injury from parents, guardian, husband or wife; the cause of injury is blamed on siblings, children and/or pets; the evidence of an injury that is inconsistent with the person's medical history; in children, a history that is inconsistent with a child's development such as hot water and a six-month-old baby;

Coming to the hospital for a reason other then the one associated with signs of abuse such as complaining of a cough when there are bruises all over chest and back; Caregiver, guardian, husband or wife reacts in an exaggerated or unemotional state; Refusal of caregiver, guardian, husband or wife to authorize medical treatment;Inappropriate response in abused person such as no response to pain or fear of being touched

Repeated visits to emergency rooms for "accidents" or a history of visiting more then one hospital in an area repeatedly (Four pp).

Victims of physical abuse develop fear of the abuser, will socially isolate themselves, develop depression, addiction and even suicide (Four pp). Medical intervention and therapy with a psychologist specialized in abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder is necessary (Four pp).