Preventing Child Abuse

What Is Child Abuse?

Physical Abuse

     Physical abuse is harming a child by inflicting physical injury. This may include burning, hitting, punching, shaking, kicking, beating, or any others forms of physical mistreatment.

Emotional Abuse

     Emotional abuse includes acts that cause behavioral, cognitive, emotional, or mental disorders, such as using extreme punishment, threatening, or terrorizing a child. Less severe acts but no less damaging are blaming, belittling, and rejecting.

Sexual Abuse

     Sexual abuse is the exploitation of a child for the sexual gratification of an adult or older child. Sexual abuse can be non-physical, physical, or violent. Non-physical sexual abuse may include obscene phone calls or someone exposing body parts to a child. Showing and taking pictures is also included. Physical sexual abuse may include fondling, sexual intercourse, or oral sex. Violent sexual abuse may include rape or physical harm.

Neglect

     Neglect is the failure to provide for a child’s basic needs. Neglect can be physical, educational, or emotional. Physical neglect can include not providing adequate food, proper shelter or clothing, appropriate medical care, or supervision. Educational neglect includes failure to provide appropriate schooling or special educational needs. Psychological neglect includes the lack of any emotional support and love.

Physical Abuse

• Unexplained or repeated injuries
• Injuries that are in the shape of an object
• Injuries not likely to happen given the age or ability of the child
• Disagreement between the child's and the parent's explanation of the injury
• Unreasonable explanation of the injury.

Emotional Abuse

• Aggressive or withdrawn behavior
• Shying away from physical contact with parents or adults.

Sexual Abuse

• Difficulty in walking or sitting
• Stained or bloody underwear
• Genital or rectal pain, itching, swelling, redness, or discharge
• Bruises or other injuries in the genital or rectal area
• Soiling or wetting pants or bed
• Changes in behavior
• Pregnancy in adolescence.

Neglect

• Poor hygiene
• Malnourished
• Inappropriate clothing
• Lack of medical or dental care.

Who Are the Victims and Where Does it Happen?

     Child abuse happens in all cultural, ethnic, and income groups. It can happen to any child, any time, anywhere. It can take place in a familiar area such as home, school, or home of a relative or friend. Child abuse can also take place in unfamiliar areas such as deserted lots, wooded areas, campgrounds, and empty buildings.

Who Are the Offenders?

     Abusers can be male or female, young or old. The child may or may not know the offender. However, the majority of all incidents are committed by someone the child knows and trusts. It can be a relative, babysitter, or neighbor.

Why Don't Children Report Sexual Abuse?

• Abusers often threaten the child not to tell.
• The child may be afraid of making trouble.
• The abuser coerces the child into believing that the activity is “normal.”
• The child does not think anyone will believe him or her.
• The child might be embarrassed to talk with anyone about such a personal subject.

What Can You Do?

• Always take the child’s story seriously even if the offender is someone you thought you could trust.
• Be ready to listen to the child and not blame him/her. Listen for subtle disclosures.
• Be open and understanding of the child’s needs.
• Be willing to report the abuse to authorities such as Law Enforcement, Department of Social Services, or the Durant Children’s Center.