Child maltreatment is a serious and vicious epidemic that affects children and families all over the world. History has shown that child maltreatment has been going on since ancient times and has been practiced by a variety of civilizations. A major threat to the social, physical and emotional well-being of children is child abuse and neglect (Dake et al., 2003). Child abuse is the intentional harming of a child either physically, emotionally or sexually. Child neglect is the failure to provide the basic needs for a child that is essential for survival. Violence in any form is a way to show the power and authority one possesses against a perceived weaker individual. Cruelty against children “is a culmination of the societies’ disregard to the protection of its most vulnerable members and disrespect to their basic human rights” (Al-Mahroos, 2007). The highest risk of neglect were in the children who were handicapped, females, and malnourished and the highest risk of abuse were in the children who were from unwanted pregnancies, youth marriages, and families with financial difficulties (Finkelhor et al., 1988). In the pre-Islamic era, it was common practice to bury unwanted children alive; most of who were females. This notion was mentioned in the Quran; “And when the girl [who was] buried alive is asked: for what sin she was killed?” 1 After the spread of Islam, children’s rights were better recognized and this practice was no longer existent. Child abuse and neglect however
Child abuse is epidemic in many countries as well as the United States. It is estimated that every thirteen seconds a child is abused in some manner: physically, sexually, emotionally or by neglect (Friedman). Each year, there are over 3 million reports of child abuse in the United States involving more than 6 million children. Child abuse can be reduced with proper education of the parents and with greater public awareness.
Child maltreatment is a preventable public health problem. Research has demonstrated that neighborhood structural factors (e.g. poverty, crime) can influence the proportion of a neighborhood’s children who are victims of maltreatment. A newer strategy is the identi- fication of potentially modifiable social processes at the neighborhood level that can also influence maltreatment. Toward this end, this study examines neighborhood-level data (maltreatment cases substantiated by Illinois’ child protection agency, 1995–2005, social processes measured by the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods, U.S. Census data, proportions of neighborhoods on public assistance, and crime data) that were linked across clusters of contiguous, relatively
Child abuse in American today is amongst the most saddened topics of mankind. Many children are subjected to neglect and abuse on a daily basis. The sex and age of child makes no difference when it comes to child abuse.. Boys and girls are equally likely to suffer maltreatment. The problem is how often child abuse goes unreported. Millions of children across the world are abused in some way, whether it is verbal, emotional, physical or sexual. Child abuse has been happening all over the world to young children, however many children keep this a secret because of fear of what could happen. Child Abuse consists of any act of commission or omission that endangers or impairs a child’s physical or emotional health and development. It can be
Within the United States, child maltreatment is becoming more and more commonly reported as there is over 3 million reports each year. Due to the constant increase of child maltreatment reports, society has become more aware of the issue, which has led to awareness campaigns. (Payne, 87). Even with societies’ knowledge of such abuse there are still serval child maltreatment cases that are not reported. The children that are victims of maltreatment pertains any sort of harm to the child whether it is by injury, neglect, physical, emotional, or even sexual abuse by someone who holds a major role in the child’s life, a parent or guardian figure (“What is Child Abuse”).
Research has shown that the majority of children who come into contact with the Child Welfare System are minorities and from families whose incomes are below the poverty line. Many families are in need of assistance in meeting with basic human needs such as housing, food, and clothing. In some instances, substance abuse, domestic violence, low literacy and limited English proficiency, hinders families from accessing economic assistance and other supports on their own. The higher rate of child maltreatment in minorities in the Child Welfare System is an area that needs to be examined. Particularly focusing on those that identify as African Americans. According to the US census, in 2013 African Americans accounted for only 14 percent of New
It’s important to understand what child abuse and neglect really is and how it occurs. By taking the time to understand why children become abused or neglected we will be able to identify possible solutions in preventing this type of treatment. Also by learning information based around child abuse we will be able to have a better understanding of how people in our society feel about this issue. A few great authors have left us with some powerful quotes based around the topic of child abuse. For example the author Kenny Guinn stated that children deserve our devoted attention, not our divided attention. Quotes like these are very meaningful and powerful because they get people to really look at the different issues involving children. When
There have been numerous studies that have been conducted that suggest that child maltreatment rates are disproportionately distributed amongst racial and ethnic groups. For instance, the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) reveals that victimization cases were reported at a rate of 21.9% for African Americans, 21.4% for Latinos and 44.8% for Whites (USDHHS, 2011).
Child abuse and maltreatment is not limited to a particular age and can occur in the infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age years. Choose one of the four age groups (infant, toddler, preschool, or school age) and discuss the types of abuse that are most often seen in this age. Discuss warning signs and physical and emotional assessment findings the nurse may see that could indicate child abuse. Discuss cultural variations of health practices that can be misidentified as child abuse. Describe the reporting mechanism in your state and nurse responsibilities related to the reporting of suspected child abuse. Include in-text citations and references for each of the scholarly sources used. Respond to other learners ' posts in a manner that
The ecological approach is useful for understanding child maltreatment because the approach focuses on factors that can lead to child maltreatment. A few factors the ecological approach focuses on is community defects, social attitudes, poverty, race and ethnicity, parental characteristics, substance abuse, domestic violence, and animal abuse. By looking at these factors social workers can detect, and prevent child maltreatment cases. By looking at community defects, social workers can see where social services are not meeting the needs of the community. Society attitudes can reflect signs of child abuse, psychological maltreatment, and sexual abuse. Poverty is a major sign of child neglect. Race and ethnicity factors can show signs
Child abuse is a serious matter and when there is insight of child abuse, the clinician should make sure that child abuse or maltreatment is taking place by confirming with multiple resources, like teachers, the child, parents, CPS, etc. Maltreatment occurs because of multiple factors, like previous parent history of abuse/ maltreatment, poverty, etc. (Lanier, Kohl, Benz, Swinger, and Drake, 2014).Thomas and Zimmer-Gembeck (2011) conducted a research study where PCIT was evaluated to see if it is has an effect on improving or reducing the chances of child abuse and maltreatment. These used observation and multiple paper-pencil measures that they asked parents, observers, and teachers to complete. Results found that PCIT was positively associated
Child abuse, a very sensitive yet susceptible issue. Many people do not want to face the consequences that child abuse can impose in children’s futures. The way a child is raised plays a very important role in how the child is going to grow up to be. More than likely if a child is raised in a stable, well brought up home, the child is going to grow up to be an average individual. On the other hand, if a child is raised in a home where they are physically and mentally abused, they have a greater chance of developing mental issues, and leading a wrongful life. Child abuse plays the most influential role when it comes down to criminal behaviour.
According to Pecora, Sanders, Wilson, English, Puckett & Rudlang-Perman (2014), “Every year in the USA, about 695,000 unique children are confirmed as victims of child maltreatment (US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children’s Bureau 2011) (p. 321). Such startling statistics suggest that child abuse is not just a public health issue; it is an epidemic. However, research reveals that prevention is possible through a collaborative effort made by parents, schools, the government, social services, and the
What is child abuse? Child abuse is the maltreatments by physically ,mentally, or emotionally get abuse a child. Child abuse is a purposeful act of non-accidental commission on someone who is under the age of eighteen. Child abuse can happen inside or outside a home. Some child abuse can be committed by a parent or close relative. Child abuse could be considered if they end up watching domestic violence because it can hurt a child emotionally. A child who is born addicted to narcotics is part of child abuse. Child abuse can be emotional, mental, sexual, or physical. (Capeless, D. F. 2008, October 27).
Although child abuse has soon become a more discussed issue, it is nothing new in today’s society. Dating back to ancient times, physical child abuse has always attributed to lives of people around the world. Approaching and understanding child mistreatment has changed as societies have modernized and progressed; whereas one thing remains an unalterable issue, child abuse happens constantly and continuously worldwide.
These are activities that are targeted at members of the community and general population with the aim to raise awareness about the problems of child abuse. It involves an approach that targets helping families and children before child abuse occurs and not intervening after the harm has been done. This is very essential as every child deserves to grow up and be nurtured in an environment that is safe and stable which helps in the child’s total development such as the physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral components. These strategies can be via a myriad of programs such as educational programs via public awareness programs, public service announcements, parent education groups, child educational programs, family support and strengthening programs.