2. What is Child Abuse?
Child abuse is more than bruises or
broken bones.
While physical abuse is shocking due
to the scars it leaves, not all child
abuse is as obvious.
Ignoring children’s needs, putting
them in unsupervised, dangerous
situations, or making a child feel
worthless or stupid are also child
abuse.
Regardless of the type of child abuse,
the result is serious emotional harm.
3. Child Abuse…
…The four main types of child abuse are:
Neglect
Physical
Sexual
Psychological
4. Physical…
•Physical abuse is abuse involving contact intended to cause feelings of
intimidation, injury, or other physical suffering or bodily harm.
5. Neglect…
•Child neglect is when the responsible adult fails to provide adequately for various
needs, including physical (failure to provide adequate food, clothing, or hygiene),
emotional (failure to provide nurturing or affection), educational (failure to enroll a
child in school), or medical (failure to medicate the child or take him or her to the
doctor).
6. Sexual…
•
Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older
adolescent abuses a child for sexual stimulation.
•
Effects of child sexual abuse include guilt and self-blame, flashbacks,
nightmares, insomnia, fear of things associated with the abuse (including
objects, smells, places, doctor's visits, etc.), self-esteem issues, sexual
dysfunction, chronic pain, addiction, self-injury, suicidal ideation, somatic
complaints, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, other mental
illnesses (including borderline personality disorder and dissociative identity
disorder, propensity to re-victimization in adulthood, bulimia nervosa,
physical injury to the child, among other problems.
7. Psychological…
•Psychological abuse, also referred to as emotional abuse or mental
abuse, is a form of abuse characterized by a person subjecting or exposing
another to behavior that may result in psychological trauma, including anxiety,
chronic depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Never discipline your child when your anger is out of
control.
Participate in your child’s activities and get to know your
child’s friends.
Never leave your child unattended, especially in the car.
Teach your child the difference between “good touches,”
“bad touches” and “confusing touches.”
When your child tells you he or she doesn’t want to be
with someone, this could be a red flag. Listen to them and
believe what they say.
Be aware of changes in your child’s behavior or attitude,
and inquire into it.
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Teach your child what to do if you and your child become
separated while away from home.
Teach your child the correct names of his/her private body
parts.
Be alert for any talk that reveals premature sexual
understanding.
Pay attention when someone shows greater than normal
interest in your child.
Make certain your child’s school or day care center will release
him/her only to you or someone you officially designate.