Child Abuse in the United

Child Abuse in the United States

Child abuse is a crime that has ravaged families in the United States for decades. Child abuse is a crime that has no borders; it affects the young child and the adolescent; the poor and the rich; the boy and the girl alike. Clinical psychologists note that group treatment for children that are abused whether physically or mentally can assist the child in a more rapid recovery than independent or one-on-one therapy alone (Hopper, 2007). This is because most children recovering from abuse often rely on the advice and input of other peers they can relate to during the healing process. Often, if child abuse occurs in families, the family members also benefit by participating in therapy. A new form of justice called "restorative" justice allows perpetrators to learn how their crimes impact victims; in cases of child abuse, while the child would not have to confront the perpetrator, a therapist might work with a child abuser to help them realize how their actions have harmed the victim, and then help the abuser identify the causes for abuse. Many times a person abuses children because they were abused as children, and have not yet fully healed from their victimization.

People have varying perceptions of child abuse (Price, Islam, Gruhler et al., 2001). Many consider it a "major public health problem," one that results in "long-term deleterious effects on the victims" from a functional and emotional perspective (Price, Islam, Gruhler et al., p.271). The 3rd "National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect" showed just under 42 children per 1,000 or over 2.8 million children are abused in the United States every year (Price, Islam, Gruhler et al., 2001; Mullen, Martin, Anderson et al., 1996). The forms child abuse come in include physical, emotional, neglect and sexual, with physical and emotional abuse ranking highest within the United States (Price, Islam, Gruhler, et al., 2001).

Recent news reports and newspapers including the "Daily Mail" in the United States often talk of child abuse in serious terms; many celebrities including most recently Teri Hatcher, who is known for her role on the sitcom "Desperate Housewives" recently, have come forward with tales of their abuse. Oprah Winfrey was one of the first of many soon to follow stars that admitted the physical and sexual as well as emotional abuse she faced as a child. These stories all make child abuse seem commonplace. While child abuse is still a problem in the United States, it is not one that is so common that people forget it. Everyone considers child abuse a heinous crime against children. Grassroots organizations are forming all over the country to protect children from child abuse and to provide them, their friends and family members with support. Many of these including ChildAbuse.org are operating online to provide children and their families with greater access to information and support.