Every child despite his individual differences and uniqueness is to be considered of equal worth. He should therefore be entitled to equal social, economic, civil and political rights, so that he may fully realise his inherent potential and share equally in life.

Child abuse is not just physical violence directed at a child. It is any form of maltreatment by an adult, which is violent or threatening for the child. This includes neglect

Child abuse is a significant contemporary community problem. Although children have been maltreated throughout history, our community has been silent in defence of abused children. Child abuse is not a phenomenon of the 20th Century nor is it unique to our society and culture alone. It has occurred throughout the recorded history of man. The future of any nation depends on its children and their capabilities. For this reason, they must be given a full chance.

When child abuse occurs in the home and the abuser is, for example, the child’s parent or care-giver, this is a form of domestic violence.

But children are sometimes abused by other adults on whom they are dependent, such as day nursery workers, teachers and sports coaches.

Sometimes abuse is intentional, but not always. If parents or caregivers are no longer able to cope with caring for the child, this can result in dysfunctional behaviour and abuse.

Sometimes parents thought they are upbringing child in a methodical way different from what others can relate with but they make wrongs.

Forms of Child Abuse

• Physical abuse: all forms of physical violence;

• Emotional or psychological abuse: an adult regularly berates the child, acts in a dismissive and hostile manner towards the child or intentionally scares the child.

• Physical neglect: the child does not receive the care and nurturing that it needs.

• Emotional or psychological neglect: continuous lack of positive attention for the child. Ignoring the child’s need for love, warmth and security. This category also covers cases in which children are witnesses to violence between their parents or caregivers.

• Sexual abuse: sexual contact which an adult forces upon a child.

Consequences of child Abuse.

We all go through difficult and stressful times in our lives. We get burdened with work, money gets tight and our children can sometimes add even more stress to our already overwhelming schedule. Because of all of this stress, it can sometimes be easy to take out our frustrations on the ones we love the most, and for some of us this is our children. Having a child to care for isn’t easy, but it is important to remember that your kids are innocent and only want to be loved. If a child is not shown affection by their parents, and instead are neglected or abused, this mistreatment will leave lasting scars.

Some of these scars might be physical. Some scars will heal eventually but others could end in a child’s death. But the emotional scars from abuse have long lasting effects throughout life; damaging a child’s self confidence, ability to have healthy relationships, and the ability to function at home, at school and at work. Children who have been abused can display:

• A poor self image

• Inability to trust and love others

• Sexual acting out

• Anger and rage

• Anxiety or fears

• Drug and alcohol abuse

• Self destructive or self abusive

• behavior including suicidal thoughts

There are four major categories of child abuse: neglect, physical abuse, psychological/emotional abuse, and child sexual abuse.

Neglect:

Failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or caregiver failing to provide adequate food, clothing and shelter; protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger; or ensure access to medical care or treatment. It may also include unresponsiveness to a child’s emotional needs.

Physical Abuse:

An act of another party involving contact intended to cause feelings of physical pain, injury, or other physical suffering or bodily harm.

Sexual Abuse:

A form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent abuses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of sexual abuse include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities, displaying pornography to a child, and actual sexual contact with a child.

Psychological/emotional abuse:

This form of abuse is the hardest to recognize and define. It could include name-calling, ridicule, and excessive criticism and humiliation.

It is very important to understand the consequences of these forms of abuse.

Above all children should be cater for not until you got the money to raise them that make them. But your teachings , your moral teachings and behavior could help.