1. Child Abuse
Health
Mrs. Wagner

2. Abuse
Parents must be able to provide basic needs and a safe environment for their children.
Over 3 million children are abused every year ( reported)
Cycle of Abuse – Children of abuse are more likely to abuse their children – “What they know”

3. Physical Abuse Physical harm – easiest to prove
Bruises: Place – Pattern & Stories
Place – arms, back
Pattern – fingerprints, handprints
Stories – don’t make sense (always falling down)
Other: Cuts on lips/mouth, broken nose, black eyes, broken teeth, burns on arm, welts, broken bones( way most abusers get caught)
Socially keep distance from adults, tend to be timid, or may bully

4. Neglect Failure to provide basic needs Malnourished Theft of food
Poor students – poor attendance
Go from outgoing to shy
Hygiene issues
Unclean hair
Dental problems
Stay sick
Involved with drugs/gangs/crime

5. Emotional/Mental Abuse
Emotional – constant degrading of a child
Very low self esteem
Critical of others
Emotional outbursts – tears, screaming
Overachievers become underachievers
Less friends
Depression – Suicide attempts
Drug/Alcohol use
Eating disorders
Teen pregnancy
Bad relationships

6. Sexual Abuse Only 2% ever serve jail time Kids won’t tell
90% - victim knows
76% - family member
Why Children Don’t Tell
1. Embarrassed – mostly boys
2. Scared
3. People will look at them differently
4. Not be believed
5. They have done something wrong – their fault
6. Love

7. Signs of Sexual Abuse STD Blood/ripped clothing PTSD Anxiety/Fear Pain
Bruised hands/wrists
Inappropriate sexual knowledge for age
Inappropriate touching

8. Abuse Laws
Child Molestation – contact with a child that is 12 or younger
Statutory Rape – sexual contact with an adult and child is under 16 years
Megan’s Law – Sex offenders must register – they have the highest repeat rate