Child Abuse Prevention Month #3
By Terry Bailey
One of the critical factors relating to child abuse is the human brain’s ability to not function correctly once the “tip over” point has been reached. Most folks can deal with stressors in their lives when they are within their ability to cope. However, once the circumstances of their environment exceed their ability to cope, their behavior becomes erratic. It is a certain fact of life that some parents tend to cope with a great number of stressors with seemingly a calm demeanor while others reach the tip over point much earlier.
Factors that may increase a person's risk of becoming abusive include:
A history of being abused or neglected as a child.
Physical or mental illness, such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Family crisis or stress, including domestic violence and other marital conflicts. Fifty to seventy percent of men who abuse their female partners also abuse their children.
Single parenting, or young children in the family, especially several children under age five. Many single parents have no family members living close meaning they are alone in their parenting duties.
A child in the family who is developmentally or physically disabled
Financial stress or unemployment
Poor understanding of child development and parenting skills
Alcoholism or other forms of substance abuse. Drugs or alcohol contribute to 70 percent of cases of child maltreatment, meaning physical abuse or neglect. Kids under 5 are the most susceptible to abuse or neglect by a substance-abusing parent and represent the fastest growing population of foster children.
Symptoms of Abuse
A child who's being abused may feel guilty, ashamed or confused. He or she may be afraid to tell anyone about the abuse, especially if the abuser is a parent, other relative or family friend. In fact, the child may have an apparent fear of parents, adult caregivers or family friends. That's why it's vital to watch for red flags, such as:
Withdrawal from friends or usual activities
Changes in behavior — such as aggression, anger, hostility or hyperactivity — or changes in school performance
Depression, anxiety or unusual fears or a sudden loss of self-confidence
An apparent lack of supervision
Frequent absences from school or reluctance to ride the school bus
Rebellious or defiant behavior
Attempts at suicide
Specific signs and symptoms depend on the type of abuse and can vary. Keep in mind that warning signs are just that — warning signs. The presence of warning signs doesn't necessarily mean that a child is being abused.
Physical abuse signs and symptoms
Unexplained injuries, such as bruises, fractures or burns
Injuries that don't match the given explanation
Untreated medical or dental problems
Sexual abuse signs and symptoms
Sexual behavior or knowledge that's inappropriate for the child's age
Blood in the child's underwear
Statements that he or she was sexually abused
Trouble walking or sitting or complaints of genital pain
Emotional abuse signs and symptoms
Delayed or inappropriate emotional development
Loss of self-confidence or self-esteem
Social withdrawal or a loss of interest or enthusiasm
Depression
Headaches or stomachaches with no medical cause
Desperately seeks affection
A decrease in school performance or loss of interest in school
Neglect signs and symptoms
Poor growth or weight gain
Poor hygiene
Lack of clothing or supplies to meet physical needs
Taking food or money without permission
Emotional swings that are inappropriate or out of context to the situation
Indifference