Child Abuse
Child abuse may include any act or failure to act by a parent or a caregiver that results in actual or potential harm to a child and can occur in a child’s home, or in the organizations, schools, or communities.
Intentional use of physical force against the child that results in harm for the child’s health, survival, development, or dignity. This includes hitting, beating, kicking, shaking, biting, strangling, scalding, burning, poisoning, and suffocating. Much physical violence against children in the home is inflicted with the object of punishing.
Child abuse is a complex phenomenon with multiple causes:-
At the individual level, studies have shown that age, mental health, and substance use, and a personal history of abuse may serve as risk factors of child abuse.
At the level of society, factors contributing to child maltreatment include cultural norms that encourage harsh physical punishment of children, economic inequality, and the lack of social safety nets.
Types of abuse:-
Abusive behaviour involves treating someone with cruelty or violence.
There are four main types of abuse:
1-Physical abuse: Any use of physical force against a child that doesn’t happen by accident and causes injury.
2-Sexual abuse: Any type of sexual involvement or contact between a child and an adult.
3-Emotional abuse: A pattern of denying a child love, approval and security, or mistreating a child in the way an adult speaks to them or acts towards them.
4-Neglect: Failing to provide a child with the things they need to survive and grow, such as shelter, food, hygiene, supervision, medical attention, education or safety.
Effects of Child Abuse:-
Child abuse can have a devastating effect on a child’s beliefs, self-esteem, development and ability to function.
The physical, emotional, and psychological effects of abuse on children and young adults may include the following:-
1-Physical health:-
Physical child abuse may result in minor injuries such as bruises or abrasions, or severe injuries such deep lacerations, broken bones, or internal bleeding. These physical injuries can also result in long-term emotional damage.
2-Mental health:-
Child abuse can result in mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.
3-Childhood trauma:-
Trauma from child abuse can result in the child having issues with trust, behavior, communication, and relationships. Victims may be aggressive, violent, and prone to drug and alcohol abuse or suicidal thoughts.
4-Brain development:-
Children who are abused and neglected are often fearful and have trust issues. They may have difficulty communicating and maintaining relationships.
5-Behavioral issues:-
Child abuse can lead to behavioral issues during childhood and young adulthood. Victims may have emotional outbursts, changes in mood, changes in behavior, sadness, withdrawal, aggressiveness, violence.
