1. Child Abuse and Neglect
Child Development

2. Objectives Identify four major types of maltreatment.
Summarize common reasons behind abuse and maltreatment.
Explain what can be done to prevent child abuse.

3. Statistics A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds
Approximately 80% of children that die from abuse are under the age of 4.
It is estimated that between 50-60% of child fatalities due to maltreatment are not recorded as such on death certificates.
More than 90% of juvenile sexual abuse victims know their perpetrator in some way.
Child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all levels of education.
About 30% of abused and neglected children will later abuse their own children, continuing the horrible cycle of abuse.
About 80% of 21 year olds that were abused as children met criteria for at least one psychological disorder.

4. Statistics
Incidents and Children Reported to the Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline
and Annual Percent Change in Missouri,
Year
Total Reports
Annual Change
Total Children
2007
52,979
77,481
2008
50,565
-4.6%
75,75,781
-2.2%
2009
51,896
2.6%
75,544
-0.3%
2010
56,897
9.6%
83,503
10.5%
2011
61,083
7.4%
90,709
8.6%

5. Maltreatment Most never come to the attention of authorities
May have threatened them with harm
Feel intense guilt for things that are not their fault
Emotional and physical scars can last forever
Affect the overall health as well as their future relationships

6. Forms
Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) defines maltreatment
Physical Abuse
Neglect
Sexual Abuse
Emotional and Verbal Abuse

7. Physical Abuse Intentionally causing an injuring to a child
Hitting, burning, shaking, or others

8. Neglect Physical and emotional
Failing to provide for a child’s basic needs
Includes food, water, a place to live, love, and attention

9. Sexual Abuse Inappropriate sexual behavior with a child
Includes touching or taking photographs

10. Emotional and Verbal Abuse
Rejecting children
Blaming them
Constantly scolding them
Especially for problems beyond their control

11. Signs Children may be Receiving Mistreatment
Learning problems that cannot be explained
No adult supervision
Withdrawal from others
No desire to go home after school or other activities
Fearfulness, as though waiting for something bad to happen
Changes in school performance or behavior
Untreated medical conditions

12. Signs that adults may be mistreating children
Sees the child as bad or worthless
Makes frequent demands that the child cannot achieve
Asks teachers to use physical discipline if the child misbehaves
Denies child’s problems in school or at home
Sees the child as a burden
Rarely looks at the child
Over-protective and demands secrecy

13. Consequences of Sexual Abuse
Run away from home
Refuse to participate in physical activities
Exhibit sexual knowledge beyond their normal level of development

14. Consequences of Emotional Abuse
Aggression
Act inappropriately like an adult
Bossing other children around
Act like a very young child
Rocking back and forth

15. Why Does Abuse Occur?
Children with physical and mental disabilities are more likely to be abused
Younger children are most often neglected
Immature mothers
People live in poverty and have fewer resources to help
Socially isolated
Stressed
Substance abuse

16. Stop Maltreatment Encouraging young people to wait til older
Parenting classes
Support groups
Mandated reporter
A person who is required by law to report maltreatment
Teachers, doctors, nurses, counselors

17. Child Welfare Agency
Once hears about abuse, sends someone to investigate
Can place child in foster care
Parents may be arrested and charge with crimes
Court may end parental rights to their children

18. Treatment for Abused Children
Usually through counseling sessions
Help people make sense of their feelings and behavior
Improve interactions with others

19. Goals of Counselors Protecting children from further harm
Improve family communication
Encouraging health friendships between children and their peers
Teaching mistreated children to take care of themselves and make choices that help keep them safe
Helping children have realistic expectations of parents who have problems
Providing a safe place to express anger, disappointment, and sadness