| How big a problem is it?
Every 10 seconds another child is reported to have been abused in the United States, which adds up to more than a million a year. Seven children die every day from intentional injuries or neglect. Most children know their abusers. Maltreatment occurs at every level of income and education, and within every ethnicity, culture and religion. A third of all prisoners and most people in drug rehab programs were abused as children. Child abuse often occurs in association with domestic violence. The annual cost of child maltreatment in the United States is over $100 billion.
What are the long-term effects of maltreatment?
All types of child abuse and neglect leave lasting scars. While some scars are physical, emotional effects can last throughout life, injuring a child's sense of self, ability to have healthy relationships, and to function at home, work or school. Children who can't trust their parents have trouble feeling safe with anyone else. If you hear repeatedly that you are stupid, ugly or no good, you come to doubt your worth. Sexual abuse victims often feel especially damaged. Maltreated children cannot express emotions safely. As adults, they struggle with unexplained anxiety, depression or anger. Many turn to drugs and alcohol to numb their pain.
What are some warning signs of child maltreatment?
Emotional abuse often results in children showing withdrawn, fearful or anxious behavior. They may act in extreme ways — compliant and passive or demanding and aggressive. They may seem unattached to family. They may act either inappropriately adultlike or infantile.
Physically abused children may be nervous and vigilant around adults. They may have frequent unexplained bruises, cuts or other injuries and try to conceal these wounds by, for instance, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants on even the hottest days. They might avoid human touch.
Sexually abused children often don't take care of their appearance or their health. They may soil themselves. They may talk or act sexually precociously or avoid physical contact.
All maltreated children are prone to sleep problems, changes in appetite, school underachievement, anxiety and depression.
How can you help a child who has been abused?
Offer calm reassurance and unconditional support. They did nothing wrong to deserve this. It may be difficult for the child to talk about the abuse so don't interrogate them. Be patient. Make a confidential, even an anonymous report to authorities. Seek professional guidance and protection for the child (and others, if needed).
How can you help prevent child abuse?
If you are a parent:
• Be a nurturing parent. Children need to know that they are special, loved and capable of success.
• Learn the meaning of children's behavior at each stage of development and how to effectively respond, starting with an infant's crying.
• Monitor your child's TV and Internet viewing to prevent exposure to degrading content or dangerous contacts. |
For everyone who cares about children:
• Help a friend, neighbor or relative take care of children. We all need rest and social replenishment when we feel overwhelmed.
• Advocate for your community to create and maintain safe, open, fun places, events and associations for children and families to gather.
• Support school programs, like the Child Abuse Council's "Kids on the Block," that help young children acknowledge and get help with sensitive matters that threaten their physical or emotional safety. |
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Health, happiness and success in life start with loving families, caring neighbors and healthy communities. Each of us can help brighten the life of a child. If, together, we leave no child behind, we may truly safeguard the future.
Peter A. Gorski, M.D., M.P.A., is a child development expert at the Children's Board of Hillsborough County, a pediatrician and a professor of pediatrics, public health and psychiatry at the University of South Florida.
http://www.tampabay.com/features/all-adults-need-to-help-deal-with-child-abuse/1162386 |
