*What Is Child Abuse?
Child abuse is the physical, sexual, emotional mistreatment, or neglect of children. It is also any act or series of acts of commission or omission by a parent or other caregiver that results in harm, potential for harm, or threat of harm to a child.
Child abuse can also be seen as a situation whereby the fundamental human rights of a child is tampered with. That is, the child is not given adequate care and protection as its the responsibility of every parent to take care of their children. These rights are rights to education, religion, freedom, movement, shelter etc.
Although child abuse occurs, it has received and is given little attention.
Child abuse is more than bruises and broken bones. While physical abuse might be the most visible sign,other types of abuse, such as emotional abuse or child neglect,also leave deep long lasting scars.
Child abuse doesn't only happen in poor families or bad neighborhoods. It crosses all racial, economic, religious and cultural lines.
* Categories Of Child Abuse-
-Child sexual abuse
-Psychological/emotional abuse
-Physical abuse
-Verbal abuse
-Neglect
-Child labour
"Child abuse is a problem no one really talks about. Abuse and neglect is the number 1 cause of injury to children in the country. More children die of abuse or neglect than of natural causes." --Donna Miller
Child abuse is a complex phenomenon with multiple causes. Understanding the causes of abuse is crucial to addressing the problem of child abuse.
The causes of child abuse are multi-faceted and can't be narrowed down to a single cause. Oftentimes, there are multiple factors at play. For instance, a father may be an alcoholic and part of a family system that is caught up in a cycle of abuse that spans generations of the family. In this case, the alcoholic may be a contributing factor to the dysfunction, but there is also the generational factor to consider.
Thus, in analyzing the causes of child abuse, it's easier to break it down into sub-categories which put children at risk for abuse and neglect. These include the social-economic causes of child abuse, the family environment, parental profile, and child-related characteristics. The term "causes of child abuse" is in reality talking about the conditions which may make child abuse more likely.
*Causes Of Child Abuse Under Three Major Causes-
*Social-Economic Causes-
1. Family Income Level-
The U.S. government's Third National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect (NIS-3) found that compared to families with incomes over $30,000 a year, children in families with incomes less than $15,000 a year: were almost 14 times more likely to be harmed by some variety of abuse almost 16 times more likely to be a victim of physical abuse
almost 18 times more likely to be sexually abused. To give you some idea of what "poor" means in the U.S., the 2009 poverty level in the United States for a family of 4 is $22,050. The 2009 poverty level for a family of 2 is $14,570.
The National Coalition for Child Protection Reform makes the case that sometimes economic conditions and the way the laws are written unfairly tarnish the poor with abuse claims. For example, if a single mother of two confined to a wheelchair lost her housekeeping help due to state or federal budget cuts, her filthy house could become grounds to take her children away. She would thus be "neglecting" her children and they may end up being put up for foster care adoption. However, it was because she could not afford to keep house, not because she intentionally neglected her children.
2. Differing Cultural Values-
The line for what constitutes child abuse is different across cultures all over the world. For instance, the standards for what constitutes accepted forms of physical punishment differs across the world. For instance, in Nigeria, as it is in the case of Chinwe and her daughter Chizoba who lost her life as a result of child abuse, it is yet to be widely accepted here in Nigeria, Africa and most third world countries that for children to help out in the income generation of the family is child abuse. (Hence such an awareness as this by us at C.H.A.N.G.E. Catalysts and many other like minded not-for-profit organisations in Nigeria. In South Korea if a high school student came in drunk to class, the teacher would be well within his rights to "beat him up" with his fists. Obviously, these examples would be unacceptable in the U.S. Canada or Europe.
3. Institutionalised Manifestations Of Abuse-
Sometimes, institutionalised practices and/or norms end up making the environment hospitable for child abuse. For instance, cultural and societal norms protecting female circumcision (also referred to as female genital cutting or female genital mutilation) "institutionalise" this practice in certain parts of the world. In the United States female genital mutilation became a federal crime effective April 1997. Typically, FGC is performed by women with no medical training (and no anesthetic) and involves removing the clitoris and possibly sewing up the girl or woman's vagina. The clitoris is the part of the woman's vagina responsible for feelings of sexual pleasure. You can already see why it's such a barbaric form of child abuse. Even though there is campaign against such acts in Africa and Nigeria, there are still pockets of such acts staunchly institutionally supported in some parts of Africa. But it's the institutionalised attitudes of the society that allow it to happen. Some of these attitudes include believing it will ensure their daughters are seen as "pure" by potential husbands and will ensure she remains faithful to her husband in the future.
*Family Environment-
1. Domestic Violence-
When domestic violence is present, one parent may not be able to protect the child from another parent's abusive behaviour because that parent is also being abused. Children may be harmed while trying to protect a parent from domestic violence or as a result of the violence.
2. Single Parents-
Studies found that children of single parents were at higher risk of physical abuse and of all types of neglect and were overrepresented among seriously injured, moderately injured, and endangered children. Typically, a single parent family has less income than a two-parent household and the single parent is trying to do the job of two parents. Thus, in the worst cases, their lack of adequate social and economic supports may make the conditions ripe for abuse.
3. Child-Rearing Practices-
In the United States, immigrants (like Africans, Asians) immigrate with their cultural heritage, including how to parent children. What may not have been considered child abuse in their home country could be construed as abuse in the U.S. In addition, child-rearing practices that are more punishment-oriented create a greater risk of child abuse.
*Parental Profile-
1. Age Of he Parents-
Teenage parents are at high risk for abusing their children because they themselves are not fully developed adults. They are not as well-equipped to respond to the needs of their children because theirs may have not been met.
2. Low Self-Confidence-
Parents with low self-esteem are more susceptible to abusing their children because they often see themselves as worthless and may take out their feelings of inadequacy on their children.
3. Past History Of Abuse-
Parents with a past history of abuse may repeat their own experiences with their children if they did not come to terms with it and learn new coping strategies and skills.
4. Drug And Alcohol Problems-
Parents with drug and alcohol problems are at a much higher risk of abusing their children. Parents with drug and alcohol problems are 3 times more likely to physically or sexually assault their children than those parents without such problems.
5. Mental Health Problems-
Parents suffering from depression or a psychiatric illness are at a much higher risk of abusing and/or neglecting their children's needs.
6. Low Prevalence Of Social Ties-
Parents with abusive "secrets" to keep may shun community contact and have few family connections to provide other means of social support needed by the children.
7. Refusal To Believe Their Way Of Parenting Is Wrong-
An entitlement mentality of "This is the way I was raised and I turned out just fine" as a way to justify abusive parenting tactics.
8. The parent is mentally handicapped in a way that doesn't enable him or her to provide proper care for their child (ren).
9. Having unrealistic expectations for their children and little knowledge of the developmental stages children go through.
Children need predictability, structure, clear boundaries, and the knowledge that their parents and everyone is looking out for their safety.
The child abuse statistics around the world indicate that the number and rate of deaths due to child abuse and neglect have been increasing in general. These estimates are influenced by which countries report data. Some of the increase can be traced to the improved data collection and recording, but not all causes of the increase can be identified.
Studies show that girls are 3 times more likely to be sexually assaulted than boys. However, boys were 24% more likely to be seriously injured than girls and were 18% more likely to be neglected than girls.
For 2005, the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) reported an estimated 1,460 child fatalities. This translates to a rate of 1.96 children per 100,000 children in the general population. NCANDS defines "child fatality" as the death of a child caused by an injury resulting from abuse or neglect, or where abuse or neglect was a contributing factor.
Research indicates children aged 3 years or less are most often the victims of child fatalities.
*Child Abuse Statistics Regarding Family Structure-
Children of single parents were at higher risk of physical abuse and of all types of neglect and were overrepresented among seriously injured, moderately injured, and endangered children. Compared with their counterparts living with both parents, children in single-parent families had:
1. A 77% greater risk of being harmed by physical abuse (using the stringent Harm Standard) and a 63% greater risk of experiencing any countable physical abuse (using the Endangerment Standard)
2. An 87% greater risk of being harmed by physical neglect and a 165% greater risk of experiencing any countable physical neglect.
3. 74% greater risk of being harmed by emotional neglect and a 64% greater risk of experiencing any countable emotional neglect.
4. 220% (or more than three times) greater risk of being educationally neglected.
5. An approximately 80% greater risk of suffering serious injury or harm from abuse or neglect.
6. An approximately 90% greater risk of receiving moderate injury or harm as a result of child maltreatment.
7. A 120% (or more than two times) greater risk of being endangered by some type of child abuse or neglect.
8. Among children in single-parent households, those living with only their fathers were approximately one and two-thirds times more likely to be physically abused than those living with only their mothers
Think about the effects of child abuse as recovering from a bad case of the flu. It's doable, but as with recovering from any kind of sickness, it's helpful to understand what's going on. When you understand how past child abuse impacts you today, then you begin to see the areas you need to work on and steps you can take to enhance your recovery.
-What are some child abuse effects for adult survivors?
1. Feeling guilty for no apparent reason (excessive apologising to others for the smallest of mistakes).
2. Feeling depressed or completely alone.
3. Trouble recalling events (can't remember that movie you saw two days ago?)
4. Weight or body image issues.
5. Drug or alcohol problems.
6. You find it difficult to be happy and wonder why everyone else is so happy all the time.
7. Poor performance at school or work.
8. You feel like your life is out of control
9. You think about suicide on a regular basis.
10. You have trouble receiving compliments from others.
11. You have trouble giving or receiving affection (e.g., you find it hard to hug others).
12. You have trouble with healthy, intimate relationships.
If any of the above sounds like what you experience (or have experienced) on an ongoing basis, you may be suffering from the effects of child abuse. Congratulations for making it this far! It shows you're thinking seriously about your personal development and what you need to do to help yourself heal.
*Simple Steps for Dealing With the Effects of Child Abuse In Addition To Therapy That Will Enhance Your Recovery
Here are some simple things for you to try in terms of coping with the above effects. These are not substitutes for finding a good therapist to help you work out your issues. It's like recovering from the flu - these are things you can do that will enhance your recovery.
1. Exercise - Hit the gym, go for a jog, or any other physical activity. Besides helping to release endorphins (the brain chemicals that help make us happy), exercise is good for weight control and confidence building.
2. Find a hobby you enjoy that relaxes you and engages you at the same time (not television). Try to imagine what you would like to do all day if you could. Would you sail? Knit? Write a book? Pick something that supercharges your imagination or taps into a skill you'd like to improve or learn.
3. Take 15-20 minutes a day and meditate. Breathe in and out slowly. Try sitting still. Focus on your breath. Try to still your mind. Let the thoughts go quietly out of your mind. If you find it hard to relax and focus while you meditate, you may want to try this meditation audio program. It has helped a great many relax and recover.
4. Spiritual exercises (prayers, fasting, deliverance, counseling, fellowship etc.) will be of great therapeutic help in a world that is fast losing grip of real solutions to lives ever teeming challenges that defy human wisdom.
1. The place of continuous and massive global awareness campaigns, such as this article through this blog is aimed at can't be over emphasised. Our people of different cultures, races, beliefs, practices need to be educated on this societal ill so as to rid our society of it. This is not to say there hasn't be this over the decades, but the realities of our times proves that this campaign must never stop as our societies are dynamic and ever metamorphosising.
2. This campaign can also be achieved by other means such as : education, walks, symposium, seminars, conferences, active advocacy, reformation in children friendly Government policies, enforcement of child rights etc.
"A society that takes for granted the care of its children is subtly mortgaging its future and signing on for generational genocide."
-Oladele Olunike, C.O.O The Richmond Johnson Academy For Social Polish.
Ridding our society of this subtle killer of our future-children and promoter of a deformed society should be the collective concern of all of us whether you are a child advocate or not, as there is no doubt that you my reader are someone's child, a victim of child abuse, a would-be parent or a part of our society. Hence this onus is on all of us to arise like never before to make child abuse a thing of the past.
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