Information about Child Abuse

Child abuse is the physical, sexual, or emotional maltreatment or neglect of children by parents, guardians, or others. While most child abuse happens in the child's home, large numbers of cases of child abuse have been identified within some organizations involving children, such as churches, schools, child care businesses, and in particular native residential schools,^[1] or in government agencies.^[2] It also sometimes occurs almost anywhere (eg kidnappings, random murders etc.)

According to a recent UNICEF report on child well-being^[3] the United States and the United Kingdom ranked lowest among rich nations with respect to the well being of their children. This study also found that child neglect and child abuse are far more common in single-parent families than in families where both parents are present.

There are many forms of abuse and neglect and many governments have developed their own legal definition of what constitutes child maltreatment for the purposes of removing a child and/or prosecuting a criminal charge. In the United States, the Federal Government puts out a full definition of child abuse and neglect and creates a summary of each State definition.^[4]

Effects of child abuse

Child abuse in its various forms has numerous effects and consequences, both tangible and intangible, upon society, those mistreated, and those entrusted with the responsibility of its detection, prevention and treatment. What are the results of child abuse? Child abuse can have dire consequences, during both childhood and adulthood. The effects of being abused as a child vary according to the severity of the abuse and the surrounding environment of the child. If the family or school environment is nurturing and supportive, the child will probably have a healthier outcome. The U.S. National Adoption Center found that 52% of adoptable children (meaning those children in U.S. foster care) freed for adoption had symptoms of attachment disorder. Children with histories of maltreatment, such as physical and psychological neglect and physical abuse are at risk of developing severe psychiatric problems.^[5][6] These children are at greater risk of developing reactive attachment disorder, a relatively uncommon clinical disorder.^[7][8] These children may be described as experiencing trauma-attachment problems. The trauma experienced is the result of abuse or neglect, inflicted by a primary caregiver, which disrupts the normal development of secure attachment. Such children are at risk of developing a disorganized attachment.^[7][10][11] Disorganized attachment is associated with a number of developmental problems, including dissociative symptoms,^[12] as well as anxiety, depressive, and acting-out symptoms.^[13][14] A study by Dante Cicchetti found that 80% of abused and maltreated infants exhibited symptoms of disorganized attachment.^[15][16]

Negative Consequences of Child Abuse

Emotional Effects: Low self-esteem, Depression and anxiety, Eating disorders, Relationship difficulties, Alienation and withdrawal, Personality disorders

Physical Effects: Injury, Death, Lifelong health problems, Cognitive difficulties

Behavioral Effects: Problems in school and work, Delinquency, Teen pregnancy, Suicide attempts, Criminal or antisocial behavior, Substance abuse, Aggressive behavior Spousal and child abuse

Causes of child abuse

There are many causes of child abuse. Many child abusers were themselves victims of abuse. Mental illness is another common factor, with many abusers having personality disorder or other severe forms of mental illness. Psychosocial factors also play a role.

Parental choices and other unforeseen circumstances that place families under extraordinary stress ― for instance, poverty, divorce, sickness, disability, lack of parental skills and drugs are often associated to child maltreatment. Children in families that have a parent deployed in combat are also more likely to be victims of child maltreatment. Many of these factors may contribute to family stress that can result in child abuse or neglect. Understanding the root causes of abuse can help better determine the best methods of prevention and treatment. There are four primary categories as to why people harm their children. Intergenerational transmission of violence, social stress, social isolation and low community involvement, and family structure.

Prevention

Given these possible causes, most professionals agree that there are three levels of prevention services; primary prevention, secondary prevention, and tertiary prevention.

Primary prevention

Primary prevention consists of activities that are targeted at the community level. These activities are meant to impact families prior to any allegations of abuse and neglect. Primary prevention services include public education activities, parent education classes that are open to anyone in the community, and family support programs. Primary prevention can be difficult to measure because you are attempting to impact something before it happens, an unknown variable.

Secondary prevention

Secondary prevention consists of activities targeted to families that have one or more risk factors including families with substance abuse, teen parents, parents of special need children, single parents, and low income families. Secondary prevention services include parent education classes targeted for high risk parents, respite care for parents of a child with a disability, or home visiting programs for new parents.

Tertiary prevention

Tertiary prevention consists of activities targeted to families that have confirmed or unconfirmed child abuse and neglect reports. These families have already demonstrated the need for intervention, with or without court supervision. Prevention supporters consider 'tertiary prevention' synonymous with treatment and entirely different from prevention through family support.

Treatment

Main article: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Main article: Attachment disorder

Treatment for those experiencing sequalae from abuse, or Complex post-traumatic stress disorder, which may be caused by early chronic maltreatment, should address each dimension. Often treatment must be multi-modal. Children who have experienced complex trauma caused by chronic maltreatment can be treated effectively with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy interventions, other therapeutic interventions, education, EMDR and other approaches. For children with attachment difficulties or disorders there are a number of recognized interventions.

Child abuse prevention organizations

Childhelp USA

Founded in 1959 by Sara O'Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, Childhelp USA is one of the largest and oldest national nonprofit organizations dedicated to the prevention of child abuse, neglect as well as to the treatment of its victims in the United States. Childhelp's programs, which directly serve abused children and their families, focus on meeting the children's physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs. In 2005, O'Meara and Fedderson were both nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

C.A.S. Children's Aid Societies in Canada

The children's aid society (CAS), also known as Family and Children's Services (F&CS), is a non-profit agency working in local communities to provide help and support to children and their families in Canada.^[17]

ISPCAN (International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect)

The International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, founded in 1977, is the only multidisciplinary international organization that brings together a worldwide cross-section of committed professionals to work towards the prevention and treatment of child abuse, neglect and exploitation globally.

7th Asian Regional Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect

A 2-day “7th Asian Regional Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect,” of the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), opens on September 24, 2007 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza hotel in Pasay City, Philippines. It was organized by the Philippines’ Child Protection Unit-Network (CPU-Net), to be attended by 675 participants, including judges, lawyers, doctors, law enforcers and social workers, from 37 countries around Asia, Europe, North America and Africa. The theme "Ako Para sa Bata (I am for the Child)," includes issues such as child trafficking, children in armed conflict and natural disasters, child-friendly judicial reforms, and the involvement of media in promoting child protection.^[18]

SPARC (Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child)

SPARC is a Pakistan-based child abuse prevention organization. In its annual report titled 'The State of Pakistan's Children-2006', SPARC stated that child abuse in Pakistan is on the rise and that around four Pakistan children are abused everyday and that Pakistan had the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in South Asia.^[19]

Reporting of child abuse

Authorities

Main article: Child Protective Services

Depending on the country, the agencies responsible for investigating child abuse are either managed nationally, regionally, or locally. These agencies may be called Child Protective Services (CPS), Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), or by other similar names. In the U.S., these agencies are usually listed in the state government section of the telephone book under "Children" or "Health" or "Human Services". In a few instances in the U.S., some of the functions of these agencies are outsourced to private individuals or companies.

People who investigate claims of child abuse may be called a "children's social worker" (CSW) or a case worker.

Reporting abuse and neglect in Australia

Child abuse and neglect is the subject of mandatory reporting in most Australian jurisdictions. Usually professional people such as doctors, nurses and teachers are bound to report strong evidence of abuse or neglect. State authorities, such as the Child Protection Unit of the Department of Human Services (Victoria), have statutory authority to investigate and deal with child abuse.

A document from Child Protection and Family Services, in Melbourne states: "The service system is facing escalating and changing demand pressures and we are increasingly aware of growing client complexity. Too many children, young people and families are coming back into the child protection system on a repeat basis with services making little impact on their issues. The analysis confirms this and identifies the need for a strategic rethink if we are to achieve better outcomes for vulnerable children, young people and their families. "^[20]

Reporting Abuse in the UK

All professionals who work with children, such as teachers, health professionals and so forth are required by professional codes of conduct to report to social services (or the police as appropriate) any 'concern' (neglect, physical, sexual or emotional abuse) regarding a child's welfare. The police and social services operate a multi-agency approach in cases of serious abuse. This system started in the 1960s following the death of Maria Colwell, but was insufficiently effective and a number of notorious cases over the years have resulted in several major overhauls of the system, the most recent being following the death of Victoria Climbie in 2000. Social Service departments, organised regionally, are required to investigate reports of abuse, keep records and take appropriate action to protect children. This can range from the provision of advice and support to families through to immediate removal under an Emergency Protection Order, and Care proceedings which may result in permanent placement of the child outside the family. In care proceedings the welfare of the child is paramount and all information affecting the welfare of a child must be disclosed by professionals, including lawyers, regardless of their clients' interests.

Notable incidents of child abuse

The case of the Duplessis Orphans The death of Marcela Hope Yellowbear The death of Elisa Izquierdo The death of Nixzmary Brown The Dave Pelzer case The Richard B. Pelzer case The Susan Wiley case The Julie Gregory case The death of Joseph Wallace The death of Nadine Lockwood The Joel Steinberg Case The death of Dennis Jurgens The Tulasa Thapa Case The death of Justina Morales

The death of Candace Newmaker The death of Jeffrey Baldwin The Louise Woodward case The death of Victoria Climbié The deaths of Suesan and Sheila Knorr by their mother Theresa Knorr The death of Sylvia Likens The kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart The death of Judith Barsi The death of Samantha Runnion The beating of Haleigh Poutre The death of Michelle Morgan The death of Tesslynn O'Cull The death of Adam Walsh The Marta Laureano case The death of Sarah Payne

See also

• Attachment disorder
• Adoption
• Attachment theory
• Child sacrifice
• Child sexual abuse
• Child Welfare
• Complex post-traumatic stress disorder
• Covert incest
• Dissociative identity disorder
• Emotional abuse
• Emotional dysregulation
• Foster care
• Incest
• Trafficking of children

References

On the history of child abuse and attempts to protect children, see Linda Gordon, "Heroes of Their Own Lives: The Politics and History of Family Violence," NY, Penguin, 1988, and Champaign, IL., Univ. of Illinois Press, 2003.

External links

Child abuse at the Open Directory Project

National sites

• National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (Australia)
• Stepchildren of the state - A Swedish association for foster and state home children
• 'What to do if You're Worried a Child is Being Abused', leaflet published by the UK Department of Health
• Prevent Child Abuse America