The National Exchange
Club Foundation offers information on Prevention and treatment
of Child Abuse and Neglect at http://preventchildabuse.com
Physical
Abuse
Physical abuse, which is 19% of all substantiated cases of child
abuse, is the most visible form of abuse and may be defined
as any act which results in a non-accidental trauma or physical
injury. Inflicted physical injury most often represents unreasonable,
severe corporal punishment or unjustifiable punishment. This
usually happens when a frustrated or angry parent strikes, shakes
or throws a child. Physical abuse injuries result from punching,
beating, kicking, biting, burning or otherwise harming a child.
While any of these injuries can occur accidentally when a child
is at play, physical abuse should be suspected if the explanations
do not fit the injury or if a pattern of frequency is apparent.
The longer the abuse continues, the more serious the injuries
to the child and the more difficult it is to eliminate the abusive
behavior. More information - http://preventchildabuse.com/physical.htm
Emotional
Abuse
Emotional abuse, which is 8% of all substantiated cases of child
abuse, is commonly defined as the systematic tearing down of
another human being. It is considered a pattern of behavior
that can seriously interfere with a child's positive development.
Emotional abuse is probably the least understood of all child
abuse, yet it is the most prevalent, and can be the cruelest
and most destructive of all types of abuse.
Because emotional abuse attacks the child's psyche and self-concept,
the victim comes to see him or herself as unworthy of love and
affection. Children who are constantly shamed, humiliated, terrorized
or rejected suffer at least as much, if not more, than if they
had been physically assaulted.
An infant who is being severely deprived of basic emotional
nurturing, even though physically well cared for, can fail to
thrive and can eventually die. Less severe forms of early emotional
deprivation may produce babies who grow into anxious and insecure
children who are slow to develop or who might have low self-esteem.
More information - http://preventchildabuse.com/emotion.htm
Sexual Abuse
It is very difficult for most people to talk about sexual abuse
and even more difficult for society as a whole to acknowledge
that the sexual abuse of children of all ages -- including infants
-- happens everyday in the United States. It is not an easy
phenomenon to define, primarily because permissible childhood
behavior varies in accordance with cultural, family and social
tolerances. Sexual abuse, which is 10% of all substantiated
cases of child abuse, is defined as the involvement of dependent,
developmentally immature children in sexual activities that
they do not fully comprehend and therefore to which they are
unable to give informed consent and/or which violates the taboos
of society.
Sexual abuse is any misuse of a child for sexual pleasure or
gratification. It has the potential to interfere with a child's
normal, healthy development, both emotionally and physically.
Often, sexually victimized children experience severe emotional
disturbances from their own feelings of guilt and shame, as
well as the feelings which society imposes on them. More information
- http://preventchildabuse.com/sexual.htm
Neglect
Child neglect, which is 63% of all substantiated cases of child
abuse, is the most common form of child maltreatment reported
to child protective services. It is defined as a "type
of maltreatment that refers to the failure to provide needed
age-appropriate care," such as shelter, food, clothing,
education, supervision, medical care and other basic necessities
needed for development of physical, intellectual and emotional
capacities. Unlike physical and sexual abuse, neglect is usually
typified by an ongoing pattern of inadequate care and is readily
observed by individuals in close contact with the child. Physicians,
nurses, day care personnel, relatives and neighbors are frequently
the ones to suspect and report neglected infants, toddlers and
preschool children. More information - http://preventchildabuse.com/neglect.htm
Shaken Baby Syndrome
When a baby is vigorously shaken, the head moves back and forth.
This sudden whiplash motion causes bleeding inside the head
and increased pressure on the brain, causing the brain to pull
apart and resulting in injury to the baby. This is known as
Shaken Baby Syndrome, and is one of the leading forms of fatal
child abuse. A baby's head and neck are susceptible to head
trauma because his or her muscles are not fully developed and
the brain tissue is exceptionally fragile. Head trauma is the
leading cause of disability among abused infants and children.
Shaken Baby Syndrome occurs most frequently in infants younger
than six months old, yet can occur up to the age of three. Often
there are no obvious outward signs if inside injury, particularly
in the head or behind the eyes. In reality, shaking a baby,
if only for a few seconds, can injure the baby for life. These
injuries can include brain swelling and damage; cerebral palsy;
mental retardation; developmental delays; blindness; hearing
loss; paralysis and death. When a child is shaken in anger and
frustration, the force is multiplied five or 10 times than it
would be if the child had simply tripped and fallen. More information
- http://preventchildabuse.com/shaken.htm
Fetal
Alcohol Syndrome
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a leading cause of mental retardation.
FAS is a cluster of birth defects that develop in infants of
women who consume alcoholic beverages while pregnant. Defects
include prenatal and postnatal growth deficiency, facial malformations,
central nervous system dysfunction and varying degrees of major
organ malfunctions. When mothers drink alcohol while pregnant,
their babies could have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Fetal Alcohol
Effects (FAE). FAS and FAE are a group of birth defects that
have no cure. People with FAS and FAE have a range of problems
as severe as being mentally retarded to less visible problems
like difficulty paying attention in school. The diagnosed cases
of FAS is estimated to be one to three per 1,000 live births.
One in 100 Americans is affected by FAS/FAE. There is no safe
amount of alcohol for a pregnant woman. When a woman drinks,
her baby drinks because the alcohol passes directly through
the placenta to the baby. More information - http://preventchildabuse.com/fas.htm
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