This is perhaps one of the hardest subjects to do research on. It is a subject that (conceivably) occurs all around us. But perhaps the best way to start this Weebly is to DEFINE what Child Abuse is (at least according to Vermont state law.)
The Definition
Vermont law (33.V.S.A. § 4912) defines an abused or neglected child as one whose physical health, psychological growth and development or welfare is harmed or is at substantial risk of harm by the acts or omissions of his or her parent or other person responsible for the child's welfare. (1)
Further Definitions
So now that you know what the basic parameters of child abuse are, you probably need some definitions of specific kinds of Child Abuse.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is nonaccidental physical injury (ranging from minor bruises to severe fractures or death) as a result of punching, beating, kicking, biting, shaking, throwing, stabbing, choking, hitting (with a hand, stick, strap, or other object), burning, or otherwise harming a child, that is inflicted by a parent, caregiver, or other person who has responsibility for the child.(2)
The most common excuse for the execution of Physical Abuse on a child is the caregivers belief that the child needs discipline, sort of a "spare the rod spoil the child" view of the world. Although there are times that the caregiver is actually, on purpose, trying to harm the child for no particular reason.
Neglect
Neglect is the failure of a parent, guardian, or other caregiver to provide for a child’s basic needs.(2)
So if said caregiver fails to see to a child's needs, (ie clothing, food, education, emotional) they are abusing their children by ignoring them.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse includes activities by a parent or caregiver such as fondling a child’s genitals, penetration, incest, rape, sodomy, indecent exposure, and exploitation through prostitution or the production of pornographic materials.(2)
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse (or psychological abuse) is a pattern of behavior that impairs a child’s emotional development or sense of self-worth.(2)
This is, by itself, probably the most difficult to report, although emotional abuse tends to go hand in hand with most of the other forms of abuse.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is nonaccidental physical injury (ranging from minor bruises to severe fractures or death) as a result of punching, beating, kicking, biting, shaking, throwing, stabbing, choking, hitting (with a hand, stick, strap, or other object), burning, or otherwise harming a child, that is inflicted by a parent, caregiver, or other person who has responsibility for the child.(2)
The most common excuse for the execution of Physical Abuse on a child is the caregivers belief that the child needs discipline, sort of a "spare the rod spoil the child" view of the world. Although there are times that the caregiver is actually, on purpose, trying to harm the child for no particular reason.
Neglect
Neglect is the failure of a parent, guardian, or other caregiver to provide for a child’s basic needs.(2)
So if said caregiver fails to see to a child's needs, (ie clothing, food, education, emotional) they are abusing their children by ignoring them.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse includes activities by a parent or caregiver such as fondling a child’s genitals, penetration, incest, rape, sodomy, indecent exposure, and exploitation through prostitution or the production of pornographic materials.(2)
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse (or psychological abuse) is a pattern of behavior that impairs a child’s emotional development or sense of self-worth.(2)
This is, by itself, probably the most difficult to report, although emotional abuse tends to go hand in hand with most of the other forms of abuse.
Some typical signs of Child Abuse.
Child Abuse: Emotional
- Excessively withdrawn, fearful, or anxious about doing something wrong.
- Shows extremes in behavior (extremely compliant or extremely demanding; extremely passive or extremely aggressive).
- Doesn’t seem to be attached to the parent or caregiver.
- Acts either inappropriately adult (taking care of other children) or inappropriately infantile (rocking, thumb-sucking, throwing tantrums).(3)
Child Abuse: Neglect
- Clothes are ill-fitting, filthy, or inappropriate for the weather.
- Hygiene is consistently bad (unbathed, matted and unwashed hair, noticeable body odor).
- Untreated illnesses and physical injuries.
- Is frequently unsupervised or left alone or allowed to play in unsafe situations and environments.
- Is frequently late or missing from school.(3)
Child Abuse: Physical
- Frequent injuries or unexplained bruises, welts, or cuts.
- Is always watchful and “on alert,” as if waiting for something bad to happen.
- Injuries appear to have a pattern such as marks from a hand or belt.
- Shies away from touch, flinches at sudden movements, or seems afraid to go home.
- Wears inappropriate clothing to cover up injuries, such as long-sleeved shirts on hot days.(3)
Child Abuse: Sexual
- Trouble walking or sitting.
- Displays knowledge or interest in sexual acts inappropriate to his or her age, or even seductive behavior.
- Makes strong efforts to avoid a specific person, without an obvious reason.
- Doesn’t want to change clothes in front of others or participate in physical activities.
- An STD or pregnancy, especially under the age of 14.
- Runs away from home.(3)
Effects of Child Abuse
Obviously some cases of Child Abuse get so bad that the child is killed, but the children who do survive more often than not become perpetrators themselves. It is a cycle, which is not easily broken.
Because of neglect the child may not know how to properly take care of themselves.
Because of Physical abuse the child is most likely to be a violent individual.
Because of Sexual abuse the child is more likely to never have a stable relationship.
Because of Emotional and Verbal abuse the child is more likely to never have a good self esteem and will view themselves to be a problem which often leads to suicide.
So the consequences of child abuse are unpleasant to say the least and should by no means continue.
Because of neglect the child may not know how to properly take care of themselves.
Because of Physical abuse the child is most likely to be a violent individual.
Because of Sexual abuse the child is more likely to never have a stable relationship.
Because of Emotional and Verbal abuse the child is more likely to never have a good self esteem and will view themselves to be a problem which often leads to suicide.
So the consequences of child abuse are unpleasant to say the least and should by no means continue.
Defense Mechanisms
Early on in the abuse children learn forms of defense. Some may try to fight but they soon learn that fighting back only makes it worse. So they learn to get away in their mind, to remove themselves form the situation. This is called dissociation. The children learn to block out most of the pain and how to cry silently, because it their parents/caregiver hear them cry they get beaten or abused even worse. Children learn how to hide and stay silent, because if they see you they can abuse you.
Reporting
By law schools are supposed to report suspected abuse. In Vermont they report this to DCF (Department of Children and Familys), however DCF can not step in unless they have absolute proof. This is difficult to obtain because 1) abuse can be hard to detect and 2) the abused children are afraid that if they tell people wont believe them and they'll get abused even more if their caregiver finds out.
Its not really that far away....
People fail to realize that Child Abuse occurs all around them. For instance, In Vermont there have been several cases of Child Abuse reported on the T.V. One of those cases is of Justin Langlois, a man who sued the Roxberry Village School for failing to report his abuse. His uncle sexually abused him repeatedly over a fourteen month period.
Child Abuse in Pop Culture
There have been several books and movies around Child Abuse, some of which are children's books.
Here are some examples.
Here are some examples.
There are also a lot of Movies that are NOT children friendly and have been quite popular. These are a few examples..
So, yeah Child Abuse is no laughing matter (and if you do laugh at it you are seriously in need of a psychiatrist). Hopefully you will now understand some of what these children have gone through or still are going through and will speak out against it.
Thank you for your time, if its been wasted thats your problem.
Thank you for your time, if its been wasted thats your problem.
Bibliography..
(3) References Child Abuse & Neglect. (n.d.). : Recognizing, Preventing and Reporting Child Abuse. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/child_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htmDepartment for Children and Families. (n.d.).
(1) Child Abuse & Neglect. Retrieved from http://dcf.vermont.gov/taxonomy/term/283/0Department for Children and Families. (n.d.).
Child Abuse and Neglect. Retrieved from http://dcf.vermont.gov/fsd/reporting_child_abuse/child_abuse_neglect
Information About Child Abuse & Prevention. (n.d.). San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center. Retrieved from http://www.sfcapc.org/press_room/information_about_child_abuse_and_prevention?gclid=CNSWrpanurwCFRAS7Aod5CIA3g
A new twist in a horrific child sex abuse case - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-. (n.d.). A New Twist in a Horrific Child Sex Abuse Case - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-. Retrieved from http://www.wcax.com/story/14188131/a-new-twist-in-a-horrific-child-sex-abuse-case
Prevent Child Abuse Vermont | The Parents Perspective. (n.d.). The Parents Perspective RSS. Retrieved from http://www.parents.com/blogs/parents-perspective/tag/prevent-child-abuse-vermont/
Three charged in barbaric case of child abuse - NBC-2.com WBBH News for Fort Myers, Cape Coral & Naples, Florida. (n.d.). NBC-2.com. Retrieved from http://www.nbc-2.com/story/23764243/three-charged-in-barbaric-case-of-child-abuse#.UvT5uRB_SvM
Understanding Child Abuse in Vermont. (n.d.). Understanding Child Abuse in Vermont. Retrieved from http://healthvermont.gov/dvsv/ca_about.aspx#whatis
(2) What are the major types of Child abuse and Neglect. (n.d.). What Is Chile Abuse and Neglect? Retrieved from https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/whatiscan.pdf#page=3view=What%20Are%20the%20Major%20Types%20of%20Child%20Abuse%20and%20Neglect?
What's the burden on schools to protect Vt. kids from abuse? - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-. (n.d.). What's the Burden on Schools to Protect Vt. Kids from Abuse? - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-. Retrieved from http://www.wcax.com/story/22829617/whats-the-burden-on-schools-to-protect-vt-kids-from-abuse
(1) Child Abuse & Neglect. Retrieved from http://dcf.vermont.gov/taxonomy/term/283/0Department for Children and Families. (n.d.).
Child Abuse and Neglect. Retrieved from http://dcf.vermont.gov/fsd/reporting_child_abuse/child_abuse_neglect
Information About Child Abuse & Prevention. (n.d.). San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center. Retrieved from http://www.sfcapc.org/press_room/information_about_child_abuse_and_prevention?gclid=CNSWrpanurwCFRAS7Aod5CIA3g
A new twist in a horrific child sex abuse case - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-. (n.d.). A New Twist in a Horrific Child Sex Abuse Case - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-. Retrieved from http://www.wcax.com/story/14188131/a-new-twist-in-a-horrific-child-sex-abuse-case
Prevent Child Abuse Vermont | The Parents Perspective. (n.d.). The Parents Perspective RSS. Retrieved from http://www.parents.com/blogs/parents-perspective/tag/prevent-child-abuse-vermont/
Three charged in barbaric case of child abuse - NBC-2.com WBBH News for Fort Myers, Cape Coral & Naples, Florida. (n.d.). NBC-2.com. Retrieved from http://www.nbc-2.com/story/23764243/three-charged-in-barbaric-case-of-child-abuse#.UvT5uRB_SvM
Understanding Child Abuse in Vermont. (n.d.). Understanding Child Abuse in Vermont. Retrieved from http://healthvermont.gov/dvsv/ca_about.aspx#whatis
(2) What are the major types of Child abuse and Neglect. (n.d.). What Is Chile Abuse and Neglect? Retrieved from https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/whatiscan.pdf#page=3view=What%20Are%20the%20Major%20Types%20of%20Child%20Abuse%20and%20Neglect?
What's the burden on schools to protect Vt. kids from abuse? - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-. (n.d.). What's the Burden on Schools to Protect Vt. Kids from Abuse? - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-. Retrieved from http://www.wcax.com/story/22829617/whats-the-burden-on-schools-to-protect-vt-kids-from-abuse