Child Abuse

Research and methodologyPrepared by, Clarinda C. L.DMS003/11 january 2011 intake

What is Child Abuse?

Child abuse is any act of maltreatment of a child by a parent or guardian that results in injury or harm.

Or simply defined as…

the physical or emotional or sexual mistreatment of children.

Factors & causes

a lack of parenting skills immature parents parents with negative childhood experiences social isolation alcohol and/or drug use in the home manufacture of drugs, indoor marijuana grow

operations, drug trafficking, or other forms of illegal drug activity in the home

family violence in the home frequent family crisis unrealistic expectations of a child’s behaviour

and capacities

Types of Abuse

 four main types of abuse as:

neglect emotional injury physical abuse sexual abuse

#1. NEGLECT

Neglect

Neglect is failing to provide age appropriate basic care such as food, clothing, shelter, love and affection, medical and dental care, education, and protection from harm.

If the parent or guardian cannot or will not provide these things to a child, it is neglect.

Physical signs

The child may: have medical or dental problems that will

not go away because the parent does not take the child for treatment, such as infected sores, decayed teeth or not having needed glasses

be underweight or dehydrated have poor hygiene be emaciated or have a distended

stomach have clothes that are torn, dirty, do not fit

or are not appropriate for the season

Behavourial Signs

The child may: demand constant attention have parents who are not interested and not

involved say that their parents are rarely home to look

after them, have inadequate supervision, be left alone or in the care of another child who is too young

have poor school attendance have an obvious lack of energy frequently say they are hungry, or steal or

beg for food

#2. Emotional Injury

Emotional Injury/Abuse

Emotional abuse is an attack on the child’s self-concept and self-worth. It is a pattern of ongoing behaviour by the parent or guardian that seriously interferes with the healthy development or the mental or emotional functioning of the child.

Factors

exposure to family violence in the home; exposure to chronic alcohol or drug use in the

home;   rejection; the child being ignored or isolated; threats, humiliation, unrealistic expectations,

or inappropriate accusations/criticism; corruption (permitting a child to use alcohol or

drugs, watch or participate in cruelty to animals, or participate in criminal activities); or

negative exposure to someone with a mental or emotional condition (including suicidal or homicidal ideas) in the home.

In fact, a child may appear to be clean, well groomed and well fed. But the child may be sad, depressed, timid, angry or withdrawn. Emotional abuse has serious, long term effects on children and can often outlast the impact of neglect or physical injury. 

Parent’s behavioural signs

The parent may: blame or belittle the child in public refuse to comfort the child when the child is

upset or frightened treat other children in the home better

(more acceptance and less criticism) talk about the child in negative ways (stupid,

bad, troublemaker, useless) blame the child for their own problems

and disappointments identify the child with disliked family

members

Child’s behavioural signs

The child may: be overly compliant,

passive or shy have episodes of

aggressive, angry and demanding behaviour

be scared of failure show anxiety, fear or

depression have trouble

concentrating have trouble learning have speech delays

have trouble sleeping give up easily be either boastful or

negative about self constantly apologize cry for no apparent

reason demand adult attention have problems with

bed-wetting or fecal incontinence

#3. Physical Abuse

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is any act by the parent or guardian which results in trauma or injury to any part of a child’s body.

If physical abuse keep up, the injuries to the child become more severe and it becomes more difficult to eliminate the abusive behaviour.

Children often explain injuries by saying they had an accident while playing or they got it while fighting with a sibling.

Physical Signs

have unexplained or poorly explained bruises or welts

have a number of scars in a regular pattern

have bruises in various colours in the shape of an object (cord, rope, belt, buckle, clothes hanger)

have human bite marks, visible handprint or finger prints

have unexplained burns, such as: cigarette burns immersion burns that are sock-

shaped or glove-shaped

electric iron or stove burner shaped burns

have unexplained or poorly explained fractures, sprains, dislocations or head injuries

have unexplained or poorly explained cuts and scrapes

have any injury in a spot on their body that it is not likely to have occurred by accident (e.g. a bruised earlobe, cut behind the knee)

have consumed a poisonous, corrosive or non-medical mind altering substance

Behavioral Signs

be defensive about injuries

have low self esteem be frightened by

disapproval be wary of physical

contact with adults show fear of parents or

other adults be nervous when other

children cry wear clothing that covers

their body even when the weather is warm

not be able to tolerate

physical contact or touch has behavioural

extremes, such as aggression or withdrawal

run away not be able to make

friends be reluctant to undress

around others not show any reaction

to physical pain report injury by their

parent

#4. Sexual Abuse

Sexual Abuse

Sexual Abuse is the inappropriate exposure or subjection of a child to sexual contact, activity or behaviour by a parent or guardian.

A child who has been sexually abused may or may not show any behavioural or emotional reaction to sexual abuse.

Examples

“non-touching” activities e.g. obscene phone calls/conversations, indecent

exposure or exhibitionism, masturbation in front of a child, deliberate exposure to others engaged in sexual activities, exposure to any forms of pornographic material

“sexual touching” activities e.g. fondling a child, making a child touch an adult’s

genital area, or sexual intercourse

“sexual exploitation” e.g. engaging a child for prostitution, using a child in

pornography or luring a child via the Internet for sexual purposes)

Physical Signs

The child may: have a sexually transmitted disease be pregnant at a very young age have genital discharge, infection or

bleeding have physical trauma or irritations in the

anal and genital areas have pain when urinating or defecating have problems walking or sitting due to

genital or anal pain have stomach aches, headaches or other

psychosomatic complaints

Sexual Behavioral Signs express premature or

inappropriate curiosity or understanding of sexual behaviour

display inappropriate or aggressive seductive or sexual behaviour with peers, teachers or other adults

use sexually explicit language or make sexually explicit drawings

masturbate compulsively have poor hygiene or bathe

excessively abuse alcohol or drugs be unable to concentrate have school problems or have a

significant change in school

performance start to display regressive

behaviour (e.g. wet or soil their pants, wet the bed, thumb-sucking)

become withdrawn, anxious, fearful or depressed

resist diaper changes or going to the bathroom

have eating disturbances (e.g. overeating or under-eating)

have sleep disturbances (e.g. nightmares, afraid to go to sleep, sleeping long hours)

lack social skills and have trouble making friends

Indicators of child abuse

Unexplained bruises or injuries, especially in places of the body that children do not normally injure during regular play or movement

Burns which leave a pattern outlining the object which was used to make the burn, such as a cigarette, an iron, or an electric stove burner; burns on the hands, feet or buttocks caused by scalding water; and rope burns caused by being tied

A child who is continually hungry, unsuitably dressed for the weather and/or always dirty

A young child who is often left alone

A child who is usually aggressive, angry, and hostile to other people

A child who demonstrates withdrawn behaviour, who refuses to participate or dress appropriately for physical activities

A child who shows unusual knowledge of sexual matters beyond their age of development, who exhibits sexualized behaviour around adults or other children

A child who hints or talks out rightly about sexual abuse

A child or adolescent who repeatedly runs away from home

An adolescent who is extremely withdrawn or aggressive

Indicators of child abuse

What to do?

What do I do if a child tells me he or she is being abused?

Do... remain calm listen carefully to what the child says let the child tell you what happened in his or her own

words write down what you heard and saw:

as soon as possible, using the same words the child did, using words that describe things you can see or hear, and keeping your notes confidential and secure

acknowledge how the child is feeling (e.g. sad, scared, embarrassed, hurt, angry)

reassure the child that it is right to tell

let the child know that you believe what he or she said

say “I will try to help”

call your local office or the Child Abuse Hotline as soon as possible

What else can I do? You can also help by becoming a 

foster parent, an adoptive parent, or the private guardian of a child.

http://humanservices.alberta.ca/abuse-bullying/15387.html