CHAPTER 1

Introduction

Background of the Study

Child abuse is a globally relative issue as this issue can be witnessed in

families across the world. According to childhelp.org, Child abuse is when a
parent or caregiver, whether through action or failing to act, causes injury, death,
emotional harm or risk of serious harm to a child. Child abuse is more than
bruises and broken bones. While physical abuse might be the most visible, other
types of abuse, such as emotional abuse and neglect, also leave deep, lasting
scars. The earlier abused children get help, the greater chance they have to heal
and break the cycle rather than prepare it. By learning about common signs of
abuse and what you can do to intervene, you can make a huge difference in a
childs life. (Smith, 2016)
Child abuse falls down to different categories, these categories are:
emotional abuse; physical abuse; family violence; sexual abuse; and organized
sexual abuse. (Adults Surviving Child Abuse, 2016) Under these categories the
research will only be focusing on two (2) categories of child abuse which are:
physical abuse and emotional abuse.
As stated in the above statements, Physical abuse might be the most
visible, other types of abuse, such as emotional abuse and neglect, also leave
deep, lasting scars. The truth is that we give attention to only to those who are

physically hurt as they may appear damaged than those of emotionally victimized
which is morally invalid, in fact, based on (Vachon DD, 2015) Neglect may be as
harmful as a slap to a child: emotional abuse has real consequences.
Emotional abuse refers to the psychological and social aspects of child
abuse; it is the most common form of child abuse. Many parents are emotionally
abusive without being violent or sexually abusive; however, emotional abuse
invariably accompanies physical and sexual abuse. Some parents who are
emotionally abusive parents practice forms of child-rearing that are orientated
towards fulfilling their own needs and goals, rather than those of their children.
Their parenting style may be characterized by overt aggression towards their
children, including shouting and intimidation, or they may manipulate their
children using more subtle means, such as emotional blackmail.
Emotional abuse does not only occur in the home. Children can be
emotionally abused by teachers and other adults in a position of power over the
child. Children can also be emotionally abused by other children in the form of
"bullying". Chronic emotional abuse in schools is a serious cause of harm to
victimized children and warrants ongoing active intervention. (Adults Surviving
Child Abuse, 2016)
Physical abuse has been a normal aspect of domestic life in Australia for a
long time. Physical assaults that would be serious criminal offenses if committed
by one man against another - for instance, hitting, slapping, or striking with an
object - have been legally and socially sanctioned when committed by a man

against his wife and child, or by parents against their children. Today, incidents of
domestic violence committed against both women and children remain at
epidemic proportions, although there is increasing recognition within the
Australian community of the prevalence and harms of violence against women
and children.
Whilst community attitudes to violence against women and children have
changed for the better, Australian policy-makers have failed to outlaw physical
assaults against children by caregivers. According to the 2007 report of the
Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children, Australia is one of a
number of countries that has failed to prohibit violence against children, and has
failed to commit to legislative reform. In particular, the legal defenses of
"reasonable correction" and "reasonable chastisement" are still available to
adults who are charged with violent offenses against children in many
jurisdictions. (Adults Surviving Child Abuse, 2016)

THESIS STATEMENT
Child abuse, either physical or emotional has a direct effect on child
development.

Bibliography
Adults Surviving Child Abuse. (2016). ASCA. Retrieved from ASCA:
http://www.asca.org.au/WHAT-WE-DO/Resources/General-Information/Types-ofchild-abuse
O'Meara, Fedderson. (2016). Childhelp. Retrieved from Childhelp:
https://www.childhelp.org/child-abuse/
Smith, S. (2016, March). Retrieved from www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/childabuse-and-neglect.htm
Vachon DD, K. R. (2015). Neglect May Be As Harmful As A Slap To A Child:
Emotional Abuse Has Real Consequences. Retrieved from Medical Daily:
http://www.medicaldaily.com/neglect-may-be-harmful-slap-child-emotional-abusehas-real-consequences-357164