April - Child Abuse Awareness Month

As many of you know, my wife is social worker whose focus in her profession is caring for children. Prior to meeting her I was, like most of us are, always enraged when I saw or heard about children being abused or neglected. Since I have met her my eyes have been opened to the vast plague that abuse is on our young people. Wrap your mind around these statistics:

- Five children die everyday as a result of child abuse.
- 90 % of those kids sexually abused know the perpetrator in some way
- 68 % of kids who are sexually abused are abused by a family member
- Child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level
- 30 % of those abused as a child will abuse their own children
- the estimated annual cost of child abuse and neglect in the U.S. is over 104 billion dollars.

These statistics are from 2007 and can be found at this website.

All of that is put forth to say this, April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and we (you and I) need to be proactive and be part of the solution. Not bury my head in the sand and hope it gets better. Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee has the following information on their website, it would be good if we took the time to educate ourselves.

What is Abuse and Neglect?

Child abuse and neglect affects children of every age, race, and income level. However, research has identified many risk factors relating to the child, family, community, and society that are associated with an increased risk of child abuse and neglect. Studies have also shown that when multiple risk factors are present, the risk is greater.

Young mothers and fathers unprepared for the responsibilities of raising a child; overwhelmed single parents with little support; and families placed under stress by poverty, divorce, or a child’s disability are all at greater risk. Some families are stressed by worries about employment, health, substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, or are simply unaware of how to care for their children’s basic needs.

These circumstances, combined with the inherent challenges of raising children, can result in otherwise well-intentioned parents causing their children harm or neglecting their needs.

There are four types of child abuse

• Neglect
• Physical Abuse
• Sexual Abuse
• Emotional Abuse

Neglect: Occurs when a parent or caretaker allows a child to experience avoidable suffering or fails to provide basic essentials for physical, social, and educational development.

Physical Abuse: Occurs when a child suffers a non-accidental injury that may include severe beatings, burns, fractures, bruises, welts, or other physical problems.

Indicators of Physical Abuse:

• Unexplained bruises or burns
• Repeated injuries or injuries inconsistent with explanation
• Excessive fear of parent or caregiver
• Unusual shyness

Sexual Abuse: Occurs when an adult or older child exploits a child for sexual gratification. Sexual abuse includes fondling, sodomy, child prostitution, incest, and forcing or encouraging a child to participate in pornographic activity.

Indicators of Sexual Abuse

• Pain and irritation of the genitals
• Torn, stained or bloody underwear
• Genital discharge
• Sudden changes in behavior
• In young children, preoccupation with genitals

Emotional Abuse: Occurs when a parent creates a negative environment for a child.

Indicators of Emotional Abuse

• Speech disorders or eating disorders
• Flat spot or bald spot on infants head
• Poor relations with peers
• Habit disorders such as biting, rocking, head banging

How to report abuse and neglect

To Report Abuse and Neglect contact the Department of Children’s Service at :

1-877-54ABUSE(1-877-542-2873)

Tennessee requires all persons to make a report when they suspect abuse, neglect or exploitation of children.