Child Abuse and Neglect Week 7 Child Abuse and Neglect Course: Health Education for Young Children Department: Child and Family Studies Instructor: Kyung Eun Jahng 1

Child Abuse Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation; or An act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm Physical/Sexual/Emotional Abuse Neglect (Does this apply to children from low-income families only?) Combinations

Signs of Physical Abuse CHILD 1. Has unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, or black eyes 2. Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school 3. Seems frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home 4. Shrinks at the approach of adults 5. Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver PARENTS (OR ADULT CAREGIVER) 1. Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for the child's injury 2. Describes the child as "evil," or in some other very negative way 3. Uses harsh physical discipline with the child 4. Has a history of abuse as a child

Signs of Child Neglect CHILD 1. Is frequently absent from school 2. Begs or steals food or money 3. Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses 4. Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor 5. Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather 6. Abuses alcohol or other drugs 7. States that there is no one at home to provide care PARENTS (OR ADULT CAREGIVER) 1. Appears to be indifferent to the child 2. Seems apathetic or depressed 3. Behaves irrationally or in a bizarre manner 4. Is abusing alcohol or other drugs

Signs of Emotional Abuse CHILD Shows extremes in behavior, such as overly compliant or demanding behavior, extreme passivity, or aggression 2. Is either inappropriately adult (parenting other children, for example) or inappropriately infantile (frequently rocking or head-banging, for example) 3. Is delayed in physical or emotional development 4. Has attempted suicide 5. Reports a lack of attachment to the parent PARENTS (OR ADULT CAREGIVER) 1. Constantly blames, belittles, or berates the child 2. Is unconcerned about the child and refuses to consider offers of help for the child's problems 3. Overtly rejects the child

(In)direct Causes of Child Abuse <Parent-related factors> parents’ mental defect Parents’ experiences of child abuse or domestic violence Parents’ attitudes toward punishment Parental characteristics: Parents’ parenting experience and age <Child-related factors> Child’s age, sex, temperament, health <Socioeconomic characteristics of a family> 1. Household income, poverty 2. Employment status Family structure

Poverty and Child Abuse Is poverty directly associated with child abuse? Does it affect the occurrence of child abuse? What would the relations among poverty, stress/frustration, and parent-child interactions be like? Think of other poverty-related factors affecting child abuse. Mother-led single parent families go through double burdens which may affect the occurrence of physical abuse of children.

Immediate and Long-term Impacts of Child Sexual Abuse psychological difficulties PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) Emotional distress: depression, anxiety, anger Impaired sense of self Avoidance: substance abuse/addiction, suicide, indiscriminate sexual behavior Interpersonal difficulties

Let’s Draw a Picture of a Stranger!

Questions 1. Why do children follow strangers? 2. Why do you think the children in the experiment trusted and followed the stranger? 3. What should we teach children about how to deal with the situation where a stranger approaches?

Lures Affection lure Assistance lure Pet lure Bribery lure Emergency lure Fun & game lure Name recognition lure Friendship lure Online lure

Good Boy Syndrome How does “Good Boy Syndrome” affect the way children react to the situation where a stranger asks for help? Then, should we tell children “Never help others who you don’t know”?