Child Abuse. STOP IT!

Firstly, what's Abuse?

Abuse means to treat a thing or someone with cruelty or violence, or to misuse something or someone, repeatedly.

Abuse can be on an object, an animal, a position, or a person. But in this article, we will be focusing on Child Abuse.

Let's Dive in

HISTORY OF CHILD ABUSE

Child abuse occurs when a parent or guardian physically, emotionally, or sexually abuses, or neglects a child. 

Child Abuse has a lengthy history, presumably the beginning of time. Child abuse captured the nation's attention in the early 1870s with news that an 8 year old orphan named Mary Ellen Wilson was suffering from whips and beating daily, in her foster home.

Mary Ellen Wilson's case went before a judge, who gave her foster mother a 1 year sentence. In 1974, the orphan's case caused enough outrage over child abuse, that citizens formed the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

 A 1974 federal law, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), futher increased efforts to eliminate child abuse by funding programs to help individuals identify and report child abuse and to provide shelter and other protective services to victims.

Despite all these child abuse still continued!

EFFECT OF ABUSE ON A CHILD

1. Physical effects:  Children can be directly affected physical such as bruising, broken bones, health problems, cuts, malnutrition or even, death.

2. Emotional effects:  Children who suffer abuse feel most of the pain on the inside.  Many suffer low self-esteem and feelings of guilt, often blaming themselves for everything. Some find it difficult to trust anyone, therefore experience loneliness. Some other feelings are hopelessness, despair, hate, misery, and rage, sometimes the feeling of committing suicide.

Research has shown that many individuals who commit serious crimes and offenses suffered from child abuse.

WHAT'S THE WAY FORWARD?

Below you'll find some ways we can prevent and stop child abuse:

1. Be a nurturing parent/guardian. Children always need to know that they are special, loved and capable of following their dreams. 

2. When the big or little problems of everyday life pile up to the point you feel overwhelmed and out of control –Don’t take it out on your child/children. Take a time out.

3. Treat your kid the same way you want to be treated.

4. Promote programs in schools. Teach parents and children prevention strategies that can help to keep children safe.

5. Report suspected abuse or neglect.

Keep children safe. That's the responsibility of every adult in the community.

STOP CHILD ABUSE!!!

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