Child Abuse
By Dana Perry
What is abuse? Abuse occurs when someone who is powerful, such as a parent or teacher, intentionally harms someone less powerful, such as a child. Abuse can take on many different forms. There is physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. It can also happen as a combination of these forms.1
Types of abuse
Physical abuse is directed towards the body. It can include hitting, biting, kicking, scratching or any other act that intentionally causes pain to a child or young adult. This is often the easiest form of abuse to recognize because it leaves physical markers such as bruises or scars.2
Sexual abuse occurs when an adult has sexual contact with a child. This form of abuse can also happen between a young child and a much older child, as almost half of those who sexually abused a child under the age of six were under 18.3 It is also considered sexual abuse when an adult exposes a child to pornography, or exposes them to sexual acts.4
Emotional abuse is very difficult to define, as it has no direct physical appearance. Emotional abuse occurs when a child's emotional needs are not met by a parent or caregiver. This can happen in a number of ways. A parent may knowingly ignore a child for an extended period of time, or prevent a child from having normal interactions with others. Parents who purposely taunt, ridicule or verbally threaten to harm a child are also responsible for emotional abuse.5 It is important to remember that just like everyone else, parents aren't perfect. An occasional blow-up or negative attitude does not add up to emotional abuse. Emotional abuse happens regularly over a long period of time and has a long-lasting affect on the abused person's mind and ability to function normally.3
Neglect is another form of abuse. Neglect can happen when a parent or other caregiver does not provide basic necessities for the child, such as food, clothing and shelter. It can also happen when a parent does not provide adequate emotional resources for a child, which results in emotional abuse. Children who are neglected oftentimes do not receive medical care that they need.6 Neglect is the most common form of child abuse, and it amounts to over half of all abuse reported.2, 6 It is also often linked with the other forms of abuse.
Who does abuse affect?
If you suspect you or a friend is being abused, you are not alone. Experts estimate that as many as 12 children per every 1,000 under the age of 18 suffer from abuse in some form.1, 7 Abuse can happen in any family, to a person of any age, any income level or ethnic group, although many times it is associated with a parent's drug or alcohol use.3 Family stresses, such as financial troubles and unemployment also make abuse more common.
Abuse can be a very scary and overwhelming experience as most often, children are abused by their parent or a close loved one. Almost every abused child knows their abuser.3 Someone who is abused may become depressed, find schoolwork difficult, or have trouble dealing with normal life occurrences. Abuse may make someone feel powerless or weak. Sometimes, those who are abused believe that they are somehow responsible for the abuse. Above all, it is important to realize that abuse is NOT the fault of the person being abused. It never is. No one deserves abuse of any kind.
If you suspect yourself or a loved one are suffering from abuse, it is important to tell someone. If you feel comfortable, share your concerns with a close family member such as a parent or older sister. A school counselor, teacher, social worker, Girl Scout volunteer or other trusted adult may also be able to help you. Free hotlines and Web sites that may be helpful are listed below.
By phone: - Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-422-4453; 1-800-4-A-CHILD
- The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network
1-800-656-4673; 1-800-656-HOPE
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
- The National Center for Victims of Crime
1-800-394-2255; 1-800-FYI-CALL
On the Web: www.childhelp.org/resources/learning-center/for-kids
www.teenshealth.org
www.youngwomenshealth.org
1 www.americanhumane.org
2 Child Physical Abuse, American Humane Association, 2003
3 National Child Abuse Statistics, Compiled May 2005, www.childhelp.org
4 Child Sexual Abuse, American Humane Association, 2003
5 Emotional Abuse, American Humane Association, 2006
6 Child Neglect, American Humane Association, 2003
7 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau. Child Health USA.
Dana Perry interned for GSUSA during summer 2007. She previously worked as an Outreach Specialist for high-risk youth at Girl Scouts - Pacific Peaks Council in DuPont, Wash.
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