Child Abuse: Causes and Prevention
Child abuse is defined as a variety of harmful behaviors directed against children. It can take many forms. Child abuse in general is a psychological problem or perversion of the abuser. The abuser is referred to as the perpetrator of abuse. Child abuse includes the following conditions:
Child sexual abuse
Physical abuse
Child neglect
Emotional neglect and abuse
Although some cases of child abuse are obvious, many are not. Early recognition of child abuse is very important to get a child help and stop the abuse.
Child sexual abuse includes any activity that uses a child to create sexual gratification either in you or in others. Although the touching of children as a sign of affection and for hygiene is considered normal and necessary, there is a way to distinguish normal touching from child sexual abuse. The key is the intention by the perpetrator to be sexually aroused by the activity or the intention to create sexual arousal in others. The intent to use children in any way to create sexual arousal is illegal. This is criminal behavior that is aggressively prosecuted and severely punished by our legal system. Child sexual abuse can include a wide variety of activities. Some are obvious acts of sexual abuse and others must be evaluated to determine if they are designed to create sexual gratification. Some signs that a child may be a victim of sexual abuse are: Changes in behavior, including discipline problems, fecal soiling, bed wetting, insomnia, nightmares, depression, or other changes in the way a child normally acts can be signs of sexual abuse. Parents should discuss the possible reasons for such changes in behaviors with professionals who are in a position to properly evaluate the behavioral changes and explore the possibility of child sexual abuse.
Physical abuse of children is defined as excessive intentional physical injury to a child or excessive corporal punishment of a child. Torture, beatings, and assault of children are obvious
Child sexual abuse
Physical abuse
Child neglect
Emotional neglect and abuse
Although some cases of child abuse are obvious, many are not. Early recognition of child abuse is very important to get a child help and stop the abuse.
Child sexual abuse includes any activity that uses a child to create sexual gratification either in you or in others. Although the touching of children as a sign of affection and for hygiene is considered normal and necessary, there is a way to distinguish normal touching from child sexual abuse. The key is the intention by the perpetrator to be sexually aroused by the activity or the intention to create sexual arousal in others. The intent to use children in any way to create sexual arousal is illegal. This is criminal behavior that is aggressively prosecuted and severely punished by our legal system. Child sexual abuse can include a wide variety of activities. Some are obvious acts of sexual abuse and others must be evaluated to determine if they are designed to create sexual gratification. Some signs that a child may be a victim of sexual abuse are: Changes in behavior, including discipline problems, fecal soiling, bed wetting, insomnia, nightmares, depression, or other changes in the way a child normally acts can be signs of sexual abuse. Parents should discuss the possible reasons for such changes in behaviors with professionals who are in a position to properly evaluate the behavioral changes and explore the possibility of child sexual abuse.
Physical abuse of children is defined as excessive intentional physical injury to a child or excessive corporal punishment of a child. Torture, beatings, and assault of children are obvious
Bibliography: Barth,R. P., “Preventing child abuse and neglect with parent training: evidence and opportunities,” Future of Children, 2009, Vol. 19, pp. 95-118. Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect. Guidelines for the evaluation of sexual abuse of children: subject review. Pediatrics. 1999; Volume 103: Pages 186–191. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Administration on Children, Youth, and Families (ACF), “Emerging practices in the prevention of child abuse and neglect”. www.childwelfare.gov.