Child Abuse

Social Studies
By: Maya Ribeiro

Form 1S

What Is Child Abuse?

Child abuse occurs when a child, under the age of eighteen, is hurt in an emotional, physical,
sexual or a neglected way due to parents/guardians or caregivers actions or inactions.

The four major types of child abuse are:

Types
Emotional
Physical
Sexual
Neglect

Explanation
Frequently making a child feel worthless, insignificant, guilty, ashamed or
depressed
Acts that cause bodily harm, injury or pain, e.g., hitting, biting or burning.
Acts of incest (sexual contact with a family member), rape, exposure to
pornography and sexual encouragement.
Acts of failing to ensure a childs basic physical (i.e. food, water, clothing, shelter,
medical care) and emotional (love, affection, belonging, safety) needs.

Causes of Child Abuse

There are many causes of child abuse.

Family problems Domestic Violence, divorce, separation, death, arguments,

unfaithfulness and other problems families may face can create an environment for child
abuse
Drug and alcohol abuse Children who live in homes where there is substance abuse can
be at risk because abusers can get drunk or high and display extreme or excessive
behaviours, i.e., use of obscene language, sexual advancements or physical violence.
Financial Problems Families may not earn enough money to provide the basic
necessities of a child, e.g., food, water, clothing, shelter, education and medical care. At
times, this leads to children being malnourished, sick and neglected.
Stress Persons under stress may become frustrated and direct that frustration towards
children in an abusive manner.
Mental illness Mentally unstable individuals are prone to display extreme or excessive
behaviours and to neglect children.
Cycle of abuse Persons who were themselves abused as children may tend to abuse
other children including their own. This pattern of abuse is then passed on from
generation to generation.
Cultural values Different countries have different values, views and laws on caring for
and punishing children. Some would punish a child by grounding while others would
provide a sound beating.

Signs of Child Abuse

Children who have been abused may display the following signs:
anger or rage

insomnia

promiscuity

anxiety / panic

memory blocks

sexual addiction

depression

obsessions &
compulsions

sexual dysfunction

distrust authority

sexual confusion
passive-aggression

eating disorders

suicidal thoughts
perfectionism

guilt or shame

withdrawal
secrecy

Figure 1 - Effects of Child Abuse on the child

 Impact of Child Abuse

The effects of child abuse on a child, family and society are seen below.

A. Child

B. Family

C. Society

Abused children display the signs identified on page 3 as well as

those seen in Figure 1. In addition,
They are often expected to behave older than their current age.
They believe that they have no self worth.
They abuse others.
Poor family relationships, e.g. fighting, distrust, hate.
Breaking up of families, i.e. divorce, separation, children taken away to
foster care and abusers arrested and restrained.
Creation of more criminals (sex abusers, thieves, killers, substance
abusers, juvenile delinquency, etc.)
Creations of highly unstable individuals which can lead to less productive
workers
Need for more orphanages and social welfare services, health facilities
and personnel (Monetary costs).
Need for stiffer penalties and laws to prevent child abuse

 Solutions to Child Abuse

Enforcement of international children rights laws

International organizations like UNICEF advocate for the protection of childrens rights,
to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full
potential. In 1989, at The Convention on the Rights of the Child, world leaders agreed to
international laws on the basic human rights that children everywhere have: the right to
survival; to develop to the fullest; to protection from harmful influences, abuse and
exploitation; and to participate fully in family, cultural and social life.

Communities can organise prevention campaigns

This can help prevent child abuse because the community can, for example, have a rally
as well as a series of talks, to educate the public.

Education of Children in Schools on Child Abuse

Children can be taught to resist abuse, keep proper body language, avoid entering areas
when they are alone with an unknown person and to always report any attempt of abuse
on them.

The Media can promote Child Abuse prevention

The media can air programmes on child abuse. This would assist in educating the public
as well as to show the abuser and abused that there is hope and consequences for their
actions.

Encourage Child Abusers to get counseling

Parents/guardians/caregivers can be encouraged to seek professional help or counseling

and this will help to prevent child abuse.

Community awareness Neighbours can play a part in being watchful for child abuse in
their communities and call the police when situations arise.

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Bibliography

Title

Website

Child
Abuse
Counc
il of
Santa
Clara
Count
y

http://www.cacscc.org/awareness.htm

What
is
child
abuse?
Newsd
ay
News
Child
Abus
eWhat
Are
The
Caus
es
and
Effec
ts
Caus
es of
Child
Abus

http://www.tntisland.com/childabuse.html

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/82345512/Child-Abuse--What-Are-The-Causes-and-Effects

http://www.zentactics.com/causes-of-child-abuse.html

Eff
ect
s/
Sig
ns

Im
pac
t

Sol
uti
ons

Child
Abuse
Effects

LongTerm
Cons
eque
nces
of
Child
Abus
e and
Negl
ect

http://www.child-abuse-effects.com/emotional-abuseeffects.html

http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/long_term_co
nsequences.cfm#factors

Conve
ntion
on the
Rights
of the
Child

http://www.unicef.org/crc/

Stop
Child
Abuse
Soluti
ons for
Emoti
onal
and
Sexual
Abuse

http://childbius90.blogspot.com/2011/03/solutions-ofchild-abuse.html

http://www.soulwork.net/sw_articles_eng/abuse_solution.h
tm