CHILD ABUSE

Child abuse can result from physical, emotional, or sexual harm. While
child abuse is often in the form of an action, there are also examples of inaction
that cause harm, such as neglect. Some households that suffer from
alcoholism/substance abuse and anger issues have higher occurrences of child
abuse as compared to households without. Outcomes of child abuse can result
in both short and long term injury, or even death. There are some children who
may be unaware that they are victims of child abuse.

DEFINITION

Child abuse is widespread and can occur in any cultural, ethnic, or income
group. Child abuse can be physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual. It can also
result from neglect. Abuse can result in serious injury to the child and possibly
even death.

Physical abuse involves non-accidental harming of a child by, for example,

burning, beating, or breaking bones. Verbal abuse involves harming a child by,
for example, belittling them or threatening physical or sexual acts. Emotional
trauma can result from several forms of abuse.

Studies show that one in four girls and one in eight boys are sexually
abused before the age of 18, and that approximately one in 20 children are
physically abused each year. Child sexual abuse is the deliberate exposure of a
minor child to sexual activity that the child cannot comprehend or consent to.
This means a child is forced or talked into sex or sexual activities by another
person. This behavior includes acts such as inappropriate touching of a child's
breasts or genitalia, someone exposing their genitalia to a child, fondling, oral-
genital contact, genital and anal intercourse, as well as exhibitionism,
voyeurism, and exposure to pornography.

Child neglect occurs when someone does not provide the necessities of
life to a child, either intentionally or with reckless disregard for the child's well
being. This can include physical neglect, such as withholding food, clothing,
shelter, or other necessities. Emotional neglect includes withholding love or
comfort or affection. Medical neglect occurs when medical care is withheld.
 Religious freedom has become a point of contention — some states allow
for medical neglect due to religious objections. There are also examples of some
extreme religious acts that are considered child abuse that are acceptable in
other countries.

Child abuse and neglect is also known as child maltreatment. It is

behaviour which is not accidental and which is not considered ‘normal’ (outside
of norms of conduct). It can be caused by parents, caregivers, other adults or
older adolescents. Child abuse causes serious risk of physical or emotional
harm.

Child abuse behaviours can be intentional or unintentional. They can

include acts of omission. This means not doing certain things which are
necessary for the child. They also include commission. This means deliberate
acts (CFCA Resource Sheet, 2015). Children rarely experience only one form of
abuse at a time.

It is important to also note acceptable behaviour in one social group may

not be acceptable in another (Tucci, Saunders, & Goddard, 2002). It varies
between cultures.

SYMPTOMS

It's not always easy to recognize when a child has been abused. Children
who are abused are often afraid to complain because they are fearful that they
will be blamed or that no one will believe them. Additionally, the person who
abused them may be someone they love very much and want to protect.
Parents are often unable to recognize symptoms of abuse because they may not
want to face this reality.

If you suspect a child has been sexually abused, the child should be
examined as soon as possible by a trained health care professional; it can't be
stressed enough that an abused child needs immediate access to special
support and treatment. A doctor's exam should not be delayed for any reason.
Many signs of injury related to sexual abuse are temporary. Ideally, the exam
should occur within 72 hours of the event or discovery. A complete physical
exam must always be performed so that the examiner can look for any signs of
physical or sexual abuse. These two forms of abuse may coexist. The longer the
abuse continues, the less likely the child will make a full recovery.

Watch out for unexplained changes in your child's body or behavior.

Conduct a formal examination only if you have reason to suspect your child has
been abused. Otherwise, the child may become fearful. Be alert to any of the
following changes:

Signs of Physical Abuse: Any injury (bruise, burn, fracture, abdominal or

head injury) that cannot be explained

Signs of Sexual Abuse: Fearful behavior (nightmares, depression, unusual

fears, attempts to run away); abdominal pain, bedwetting, urinary tract
infection, genital pain or bleeding, sexually transmitted disease; extreme sexual
behavior that seems inappropriate for the child's age

Signs of Emotional Abuse: Sudden change in self-confidence; headaches

or stomachaches with no medical cause; abnormal fears, increased nightmares
or attempts to run away

Signs of Emotional Neglect: Failure to gain weight (especially in infants),

desperately affectionate behavior, voracious appetite and stealing food

CAUSES

Risk Factors

A combination of individual, relational, community, and societal

factors contribute to the risk of child maltreatment and abuse. Although
children are not responsible for the harm inflicted upon them, certain
individual characteristics have been found to increase their risk of being
maltreated. Risk factors are contributing factors—not direct causes.

Examples of risk factors:

• Disabilities or mental retardation in children that may increase

caregiver burden

• Social isolation of families

 • Parents' lack of understanding of children's needs and child
development

• Parents' history of domestic abuse

• Poverty and other socioeconomic disadvantages, such as

unemployment

• Family disorganization, dissolution, and violence, including intimate

partner violence

• Lack of family cohesion

• Substance abuse in the family

• Young, single nonbiological parents

• Poor parent-child relationships and negative interactions

• Parental thoughts and emotions supporting maltreatment behaviors

• Parental stress and distress, including depression or other mental

health conditions

• Community violence

TREATMENTS

If you suspect a child has been abused, contact a pediatrician or a local

child protective agency for help. Physicians are legally obligated to report all
suspected cases of abuse or neglect to authorities. They can also recommend a
therapist and provide the necessary information for investigators. Doctors may
also testify in court to obtain legal protection for the child or to help criminally
prosecute an individual suspected of engaging in child sexual abuse.

Whatever the nature of the abuse, steps should be taken immediately to

report the abuse and obtain help. Delaying a report decreases the child's
chances for full recovery.

If he or she has been abused, your child will benefit from the services of a
qualified mental health professional. You and other members of the family may
be advised to seek counseling so that you'll be able to provide the support and
comfort your child needs. If someone in your family is responsible for the abuse,
a mental health professional may be able to treat that person successfully, as
well.

If your child has been abused, you may be the only person who can help
him or her. Do not delay reporting your suspicions of abuse. Denying the
problem will only worsen the situation; allowing the abuse to continue
decreases the child's chance for full recovery. In any case of child abuse, the
safety of the abused youngster is of primary concern. He or she needs to be in a
safe environment free from the potential for continuing abuse.

In most cases, children who are abused or neglected suffer greater

emotional than physical damage. A child who has been abused or otherwise
severely mistreated may become depressed or develop suicidal, withdrawn, or
violent behavior. An older child may use drugs or alcohol, try to run away, or
abuse others. The younger the child is and the closer the child's relationship to
the abuser, the more serious the emotional damage will be. As adults, they may
develop marital and sexual difficulties, depression or suicidal behavior. With
early intervention and treatment, these outcomes may be avoided.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF CHILD ABUSE?

• Emotional abuse: Caregivers and adults fail to nurture a child. The

child does not receive the love and security they need. A child's environment
and relationships with caregivers are unstable. The caregiver/s may use threats
or force. They may also be unable to support a child’s healthy development.

• Neglect and negligent treatment: A child’s essential needs are not

met. These include the need for love, nutrition, clothing, warmth, shelter,
security, protection, medical/dental care, education and supervision.

• Physical abuse: A child is subjected to injury to their body which is

not an accident.

• Family violence: This refers to the use or threat of violence by one

partner to control another partner, children or family members.
 • Sexual abuse: A child is involved in any sexual activity with an adult,
or with another child. The person committing the activity is in a relationship of
responsibility, trust and power over the child. It includes, but is not limited to,
manipulating, forcing or threatening a child into sexual activity, prostitution and
child pornography.

• Organised abuse: This is very complex. It can involve multiple

children. It can also involve multiple forms of abuse. It can occur in family
groups or perpetrator networks. The terms: 'organised abuse', 'sadistic abuse'
and 'ritual abuse' have been used to describe organised abuse.

HOW COMMON IS CHILD ABUSE?

Child abuse is common. It’s probably more common than we think. That’s
because it often goes unreported. It’s often secret. There’s a lot of stigma
around it. It’s often treated with silence. We do know how many cases of abuse
are reported and substantiated (proven) each year. However, these aren’t the
real numbers of children abused every day. Many children are scared of telling
anyone (disclosing). Many don’t disclose. Often, when they do disclose they’re
not believed.

There laws are different in different states and territories.

BRIERE & SCOTT (2006) IDENTIFIED SIX KEY AREAS IN WHICH CHILD ABUSE
AFFECTS PSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTION AS AN ADULT:

1. Negative beliefs about themselves: Children who are abused develop

negative beliefs about themselves, their place in the world and other people.
Thesee beliefs can persist as an adult. They can affect their relationships and
how they feel about themselves. It can be hard for survivors to develop close
relationships. This is because they can be too defensive, aggressive, scared or
shy to fully connect with other people.

2. Emotional reactions are easily triggers: Adults who experienced child

abuse can be overwhelmed with reminders of their abuse. These reminders can
occur from everyday situations, words, or experiences. Intense feelings of guilt,
shame, grief or anger can be triggered. These can last a long time. These
"emotional storms" can make the day-to-day life frightening and unpredictable.
 3. Body memories of abuse: Child abuse often involves fear, betrayal and
powerlessness. A child cannot understand or explain these experiences. Such
experiences become "implicit". This means that they are largely unconscious
and cannot be spoken in words. They can be "body memories". When the
memory returns, it does so with the physical sensations, movements and
emotional force of the original experience. These experiences are called
"flashbacks". They can be terrifying.

4. Developing a narrative about one’s abuse: For many adults, abuse is a

part of their life history. Making sense of it is challenging. Why did it happen?
What does it say about my family? What does the abuse say about me? These
are common questions for many.

5. Way abuse affects thinking and memory: Being abused is

overwhelming for children. They do not understand abuse and can’t protect
themselves. They are trapped. Often they have little memory of their abuse.
Even though memories of what happened may be "split off" from awareness,
the trauma still deeply shapes a survivor's thinking patterns and ways of
relating.

6. Difficulty regulating their emotions: Survivors are often easily

overwhelmed by everyday situations and relationships. They often develop
"avoidant" coping styles. This helps them feel less pain from their past abuse. It
also helps them escape their present-day discomfort. Survivors often avoid
social situations and personal relationships. Many self-medicate through alcohol
or drugs, or self-harm to numb down or ‘release’ their pain.

MYTHS ABOUT CHILD ABUSE

Myth: Child abuse is rare

Fact: All types of child abuse and neglect are common in Australia
(CFCA Resource Sheet, 2013). Child abuse and neglect are often not
identified as they occur in privacy and secrecy. Children also find it hard to
disclose, and be believed. Often there is little evidence to substantiate the
crime (CFCA, 2015).

Myth: It is only abuse if it is violent

 Fact: Child abuse does not necessarily involve violence or anger.
Abuse often involves adults wielding their power over children, and using
children as objects rather than respecting their rights.

Myth: People lie about child abuse for attention and sympathy

Fact: Research, including police and court statistics, shows that it is

very rare for a person of any age to say they were abused if they weren’t.
However, “false negative reports” of abuse are common e.g. many adults
state that they were not abused as children when they were.

Myth: Children usually tell someone about their abuse

Fact: Most children do not tell anyone. They are often silenced
through threats or fear of not being believed. Some children don’t have
the words to speak about what is happening to them.

Myth: Children ‘get over’ bad experiences in childhood

Fact: Adults are often deeply affected by childhood trauma and

abuse. You can’t just “get over” it. Survivors need the right care and
support to overcome the impacts of abuse, recover and live full and
healthy lives.

Myth: People who sexually abuse children are mentally ill

Fact: Most people who sexually abuse children are not mentally ill.
They are often married and/or have sexual relationships with adults. In
anonymous surveys, a significant minority of men in the community
indicate a sexual interest in children.

Myth: People who sexually abuse children have been sexually abused
themselves

Fact: The majority of children who are sexually abused are girls. Yet
the majority of sexual abusers are male. Some studies have found that
sexually abusive men are more likely to report a history of sexual abuse
than other men. However, the majority of men who sexually abuse
children do not report being sexually abused in childhood.
 Myth: People do not “forget” child abuse

Fact: For over one hundred years, traumatic amnesia has been
documented amongst war veterans, survivors of natural and man-made
disasters, and adult survivors of child abuse. These memories can later
resurface through flashbacks, nightmares and intrusive thoughts. These
memories have sometimes been called “recovered memories”.

Myth: Children are very suggestible and they can easy "make up" stories
of abuse

Fact: Children are no more suggestible than adults, and can clearly
distinguish between reality and fantasy. Research has shown that children
resist making false reports during leading and suggestive interviewing
techniques.

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION

Preventing child abuse in all its forms, including neglect and the impacts of
family violence is a significant challenge in all communities. Child abuse and
trauma is a substantial public health issue. It requires a public health approach
to prevention.

This include

• Primary prevention - stopping abuse before it occurs

• Secondary Prevention – focussing on groups which are at particular

risks

• Tertiary Prevention – responding to those who have already been

abused to minimise the risk of further harm.

Primary prevention requires simultaneous effort on multiple levels to

promote, and sustain, lasting social and behavioural change. We need
approaches that accept that child abuse is a widespread and harmful social
practice that is reinforced every day by long-standing and problematic cultural
beliefs and values.
 Safe nurturing and protective relationships with primary care-givers and
significant others are important in helping children establish a secure base from
which to learn and grow. Relationships with other family members, teachers,
peers in their home and neighbourhood all help to shape a child’s experiences.

REFERENCES/SOURCES:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/conditions/child-abuse

https://www.blueknot.org.au/Resources/Information/Understanding-terms-trauma-and-abuse/What-is-
child-abuse

https://www.blueknot.org.au/Resources/Information/Understanding-abuse-and-trauma/What-is-child-
abuse-/Myths-about-child-abuse

https://www.blueknot.org.au/Resources/Information/Understanding-abuse-and-trauma/What-is-child-
abuse-/Child-abuse-prevention