|
 Child
Abuse
"It takes a village
to raise a child."
-African
Proverb
Child abuse is any
mistreatment or neglect of a child that results in harm or injury.
Child abuse can include:
-
PHYSICAL
ABUSE: Purposely injuring a child by hitting,
biting, shaking, kicking, burning, or throwing objects.
-
EMOTIONAL
ABUSE: Crushing a child's spirit with verbal
attacks, threats, or humiliation. Words that hurt will harm a
child's self esteem.
-
SEXUAL
ABUSE: Sexual contact with a child (i.e. incest,
inappropriate touching, etc...) Using a child for sexual films,
pictures, or prostitution; obscene language; or exposure not
involving contact.
-
NEGLECT:
Willfully failing to provide for a child's emotional
(love and attention) or physical (food, clothing, and shelter)
needs; failing to offer guidance, supervision or a safe home
environment.
Factors That Can Lead to Child
Abuse
-
Stress...is
a major factor in child abuse. Stress can come from the
workplace, social isolation, marital problems, and illness.
-
Unreasonable expectations...When
parents are unaware of their children's limitations they often
set too high of expectations. When these are not met, the
parent may think that the child is intentionally misbehaving.
-
Lack of
Parenting Knowledge...Parents
who have not had good role models may not fully understand their
child's needs/wants or appropriate methods of discipline. This
may lead them to feel guilty or inadequate, taking these feeling
out on their children.
-
Financial
Hardship...When
parents are having financial difficulty they may see their
child's needs as a reminder of his/her "failure", blaming their
children for the financial troubles.
-
Family
Background...Studies have proven that abused children are at a
higher risk to abuse their own children. As a child who has
seen or been abused on a regular basis they often see abuse as
"normal" or a viable form of discipline.. This does not happen
in all cases. If you have been abused as a child it does not
automatically mean you will abuse your children! If this has
happened and you have not dealt with it please feel free to call
NHCC for assistance.
· Almost
one million children are abused or neglected each year.
·
And they are likely to be abused again.
·
More than one thousand die.
· About
1 in 7 sexual assaults happen to a child under the age of 6.
· About
90% of rape victims under 12 know the person who raped them.
What To Look for: Signs
and Symptoms
Physical
Abuse
-
Bruises, welts, or burns shaped like objects (iron, heater,
etc.)
-
Bruises in unusual places (eyes, back, mouth, buttocks, genital
area, thighs)
-
"Sock" or "Glove" burns on hands or feet
-
Small round burns from cigarettes
-
Rope burns on ankles, wrists, or torso
-
Adult size bite marks
-
Suspicious fractures
-
Physical discipline administered
with an object (i.e. belt, wooden spoon etc.)
-
Marks from physical discipline
that last more than an hour or so
Emotional
Abuse
-
A
child who is apathetic (doesn't care)
-
A
child who suffers from depression
-
A
child who won't take part in play or school activities
-
A
child who is hostile or aggressive
-
A
child with a loss of appetite or who compulsively overeats
Sexual
Abuse
-
Withdrawal or anti-social attitudes
-
Refusal to undress for phy-ed or sports
-
Exaggerated interest in sex or "acting out" sex with other
children
-
Unusually seductive behavior
-
Fear of intimate contact (hugging or sports)
-
Torn, stained, or bloody clothing
-
Sexual knowledge beyond their
years and developmental ability
Neglect
-
Any of the same signs as emotional abuse
-
A
child who is hungry most of the time
-
A
child who is wandering outside unsupervised
-
A
child unsuitably dressed for the weather
-
A
child who is continually dirty or wearing the same soiled
clothes
-
A
child who consistently shows up early or stays late at school
-
A child who is left home alone
when too young, for extended periods of time, or who is left
alone caring for siblings when too young or for extended periods
of time
How Old
is Old Enough to be Left Home Alone?
Unsafe Home Environment
-
A child witnessing domestic
violence
-
Accessibility to firearms
-
"garbage houses"
-
A
child witnessing drug use or production
-
A parent or caregiver driving
drunk with a child
What should you do?
If
you know or suspect that a child is being abused, please contact
your local human services department, law enforcement, or your local
crisis center.
All Services
are FREE and *confidential
24 hour crisis line staffed by trained advocates.
All numbers listed are answered.
*All
NHCC staff and advocates are Mandated Reporters and are therefore
required to report any known or suspected child abuse.
Contact Us
Abused Children Resources
Jacob
Wetterling Foundation
www.jwf.org
National Center
for Missing and Exploited Children
www.missingkids.com
National Center for Victims of Crime
www.ncvc.org
National Council on Child Abuse and Family
Violence (National Child Abuse Hotline)
www.nccafv.org
Prevent Child
Abuse Minnesota
www.pcamn.org
Stop it now!
www.stopitnow.com
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