- physical abuse
- sexual abuse
- emotional abuse
The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1973 was enacted to protect children. It defines child abuse and neglect as "the physical treatment and mental injuring, sexual abuse, negligent treatment, or maltreatment of a child under the age of 18 by a person who is responsible for the child's welfare under circumstances which indicate that the child's health and welfare is harmed or threatened thereby."
What are the causes and risks of the injury?
Children of all ages, ethnic and cultural groups, and socioeconomic levels are at risk for abuse. Certain factors put some children at higher risk for being abused. Three particular areas of
stress have been shown to increase the risk of abuse to a child.
Child-produced stress factorsThese stress factors include a child who may be:
- an adopted child or foster child
- behaviorally different, such as children with attention deficit disorder
- mentally different, such as children with mental retardation or learning disabilities
- physically different, such as children with physical disabilities
- substantially different from other family members in temperament
- temperamentally difficult
Social-situational stress factorsThese stress factors include:
- parental relationship with dominant-submissive patterns
- physical or social isolation
- poor housing or frequent moves
- poverty or unemployment
- punishing child-rearing style
- significant change in family finances
- strained parent-child relationship, including unwanted children
- violent parental relationship
Parent-produced stress factorsThese stress factors include parents who have the following characteristics:
- history of abuse as a child
- lack of education about basic child-rearing
- low self-esteem
- psychiatric illness or character disorder
- substance abuse
- unrealistic expectations of their children
What can be done to prevent the injury?
It is important to make the community aware of the risks of abuse as well as the resources available for victims and their families. Developing trust within communities helps people talk about abuse.
Concerned friends, family or clergy need to ask directly about signs that may indicate abuse. For instance, if a neighbor child has unexplained bruising, ask that child how the injury occurred.
Even though a child may not describe to you exactly what happened, his or her reaction can still give you more information about the situation. Simply asking the right questions can sometimes reduce the risk factor of social isolation. Showing concern can give the child confidence that there is someone to turn to.
How is the injury recognized?
Child abuse is typically recognized in several ways. Often, a professional will be the first to recognize and report suspected abuse. This may be a teacher, day care worker, or healthcare professional. In other instances, a family member or neighbor suspects abuse.
Once abuse is suspected, the child should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. The evaluation will vary depending upon the type of abuse suspected. Unless sexual abuse is suspected, a gynecologic or rectal exam is not routinely performed. Unless the abuse is recent and rather severe, sexual abuse typically does not leave any physical marks.
If physical abuse is suspected, the healthcare professional will do a complete physical exam. For any injury or condition associated with child abuse, the professional should thoroughly question the caretaker. Sometimes abuse is diagnosed indirectly. During an examination, evidence of old injuries may become apparent.
What are the treatments for the injury?
A child suspected of having been abused should be evaluated immediately. The treatment will be dependent upon the injury or condition. Long-term emotional, psychological, relational and spiritual problems can stem from being a victim of child abuse.
Children who have been abused may benefit from counseling with a therapist and/or a pastoral professional. The counselor will help them work through feelings of low self-esteem, anger, and helplessness and can help the children learn and use new tools to protect themselves.
The parents or caretakers of the child should also receive counseling.
Parenting skills, alternative discipline methods, and anger management techniques can be learned. Unfortunately, there are times when a caretaker is not able to adequately care for the child. In these instances, the child typically has to be removed from the home to protect him or her from further abuse.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
In general, there are no side effects from treatment of child abuse. If medications are used to treat physical or mental conditions, they may have side effects.
What happens after treatment for the injury?
Child abuse can cause long-term psychological and physical problems for the child. Long-term counseling may be needed to help the child work through feelings and develop a healthy self-concept.