Long-term consequences of Child Abuse on the Society
Long-term Consequences of Child Abuse Child abuse is the physical, emotional, or sexual mistreatment of a child by his or her parent or guardian. Many do not realize how many children are abused in their homes every day. According to a publication titled Child Maltreatment 2008, children are more likely to be the victim of child abuse and neglect than they are to be the victim of anything else (Speak-Up-Be-Safe). In fact, more than one million children in the United States alone are a victim of child abuse (Wisdom, Hiller-Sturmhöfel, p. 52). One in seven adults between the ages of 18 and 54 in the U. S. report that they were sexually abused, physically abused, and/or were the victim of emotional abuse in their childhood (Zielinski, David, pg. 16). Every year over half a million children suffer serious injuries, and about fifteen hundred die from child abuse, making it the leading cause of deaths from injuries in children over a year old (Institute of Medicine, 1999). Not only does child abuse cause immediate effects on the abused child, but it creates significant effects on society which can last a lifetime. Long-term consequences on society from child abuse include the increased cost and use of substance abuse services, increased criminal activity, and increased reliance on government services. There is a direct relationship between child abuse and the later use of illegal substances. Studies have shown that being abused as a child greatly increases the chances of many complications, including the abuse of drugs and alcohol in adulthood. The more traumatic the abuse is in one’s childhood, the greater the chances are of them abusing drugs and/or alcohol as an adult (Speak-Up-Be-Safe). Many believe that users take part in drugs and alcohol as a mechanism to cope with or escape the trauma of childhood victimization and the related depression that often occurs from child abuse. People also believe that the drugs and alcohol serve as a way to improve
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