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Everyone can help to prevent child abuse.
More than one million children are confirmed victims of abuse and/or neglect in the United States each year. That means that 15 out of every 1,000 children are victims of maltreatment. In most of the confirmed cases, the child was younger than 12 years of age. In 1999 in Colorado, 5,082 confirmed incidents of child abuse and neglect and 32 fatalities were reported.
The child abuser seldom is a total stranger. Based on research conducted by the American Humane Association in 43 states, 76 percent of the perpetrators were parents or stepparents. An additional 11 percent were other relatives of the child victim. In only 2 percent of all confirmed child maltreatment cases were the perpetrators other caretakers, such as foster parents or child care providers.
Child abusers are found among all socio-economic, religious and ethnic groups. Forty-three percent of American parents report spanking or hitting their child within the past 12 months. Thirty seven percent report insulting or swearing at their child, and two percent report having kicked, bit or punched their child according to statistics released by Prevent Child Abuse America, the nation's leading child abuse prevention organization.
National studies indicate that substance abuse is a critical factor in child abuse and neglect cases reported. Drug and alcohol abuse clearly affects a parent's or care provider's ability to provide needed age-appropriate care, guidance and discipline. Other factors that contribute to child maltreatment most often include immaturity of parents, lack of parenting skills, unrealistic expectations of the child and a lack of knowledge about children's behavior and capabilities. Contributing factors also can include frequent family crises, economic stress, social isolation or a past history of the care provider having been abused as a child.
Child abuse consists of any act, willful or un-willful, that endangers or impairs a child's physical or emotional health and development. Child abuse includes any damage done to a child, which cannot be reasonably explained and which often is represented by an injury or series of injuries appearing to be non-accidental in nature. Children suffer several types of maltreatment.
Physical abuse is the most visible form of abuse. It is defined as non-accidental trauma or physical injury. This includes hitting, kicking, slapping, shaking, burning, pinching, hair pulling, biting, choking, throwing, shoving, whipping and paddling. Although difficult to imagine that any person would intentionally inflict harm on a child, many times physical abuse is the result of inappropriate or excessive physical discipline. An angry caregiver or parent may be unaware of the magnitude of force with which he or she handles a child.
Emotional abuse commonly is defined as a pattern of behavior that can seriously interfere with a child's positive emotional development. These patterns can include the following: constant rejection, shaming, name-calling, negative comparisons to others, yelling or screaming, and declarations of worthlessness. This form of abuse leaves hidden scars that can manifest itself in insecurity, poor self-esteem, destructive behavior, angry acts and outbursts, withdrawal and poor development of basic life skills.
Sexual abuse includes touching and non-touching sexual offenses between an adult and a child. This includes fondling, penetration, intercourse, exploitation, pornography, exhibitionism, child prostitution, group sex, oral sex or forced observation of sexual acts.
Neglect, physical and emotional is the most common form of child maltreatment reported to public child protective services agencies. Failure to provide for a child's physical needs includes lack of supervision, inappropriate housing or shelter and inadequate provision of food, clothing, medical care and hygiene. Emotional abuse includes failure to provide affection and support necessary for the development of the emotional, social and physical well-being of a child.
Professionals who work with children are required by law to report suspected neglect or abuse. Only 20 states require that citizens report cases of child maltreatment. If, however, an individual perceives that a child is in an emergency situation, he or she should call local law enforcement immediately.
Individuals also can help prevent child abuse and neglect in these additional ways:
- Be a nurturing parent. Children need to know that they are special and loved. Educate yourself about a child's development process so you will have reasonable expectations about a child's age-appropriate behavior.
- Help a friend, neighbor or relative. Being a parent is not easy. Someone you know may be struggling with his or her parenting responsibilities. Offer a helping hand.
- Help yourself. When the stresses of everyday life pile up, when you feel overwhelmed or out of control, take time out for yourself. Don't take it out on your child. Take a deep breath, count to ten. Know where you can turn for help when you need it.
- Never, never shake a baby! Learn what to do if your baby won't stop crying.
- Get involved. Advocate for service to help families. Ask community leaders, clergy, library and schools to develop services and support groups to meet the needs of families and children.
- Monitor your child's television and computer use. Watching violent films or playing violent computer games can harm young children. It teaches that aggression is an acceptable way to handle frustration and to solve problems.
- Spend time with your children. Interact with your children in age-appropriate activities. Read with your children.
For additional information about parenting, contact Jane Frobose, Colorado State University Extension agent in Denver County, Colorado at (720) 913-5276 or e-mail at: jfrobose@coop.ext.colostate.edu or contact your local
Colorado State University Extension office.
Sources:
Factsheets. American Humane Association. (2001).
Child Abuse Prevention Month Resource Kit. Colorado Children's Trust Fund. 2001.
Child Abuse. Childhelp USA. (2001).
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