CHILD ABUSE

 Basic information

description

The major types of child abuse (or maltreatment) are:

1. Physical abuse—physical injury (from minor injury to broken bones, or death). A child may be hit, bitten, shaken, punched, kicked, beaten, burned, or harmed in other ways.
2. Sexual abuse—includes touching a child's genitals, intercourse, forcing a child to watch sexual acts, having a child touch or look at an adult's genitals, watch or be in pornographic films, and any other sexual act .
3. Emotional abuse—harms a child's emotional growth or can destroy a child's confidence. Constant yelling and screaming, name-calling, threats, and not giving love and affection are forms of this abuse.
4. Child neglect—when the child's basic needs are not met. This can include lack of proper food, clothes, school, hygiene, medical care, or leaving a child alone.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• All types of abuse will cause both physical and behavioral signs. Parents or other adults who know the child are unlikely to suspect child abuse. A child's injuries or behavior changes can result from other problems also.
• Physical signs. Any type of injury (mild or serious), pain when they urinate, genital bleeding, weight loss or no weight gain (in infants), stomach pain, headaches, or infections. Pregnancy in young adolescents.
• Behavioral signs. Avoiding family and friends, a change in eating habits, sleeping problems, emotional upsets, and poor school performance. Outgrown habits such as bed-wetting or thumb-sucking may recur. There may be inappropriate sexual behavior.
• Older children may abuse drugs or alcohol, talk about suicide, or behave in a reckless and destructive manner.

causes

Abusers are more likely to be someone the child knows, rather than a stranger. Abusers may be parents, relatives, neighbor, babysitters, or other caregivers.

risk increases with

• Children:
  • A child of any age, sex, race, religion, rich or poor can be a victim of abuse.
  • Infants under age one are at a high risk for injury.
  • Females are more likely to suffer sexual abuse.
• Adult abusers:
  • Parents who lack parenting skills or have financial, relationship, mental, emotional, or stress problems.
  • Adults who were victims of child abuse.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

• For children, age-appropriate education about abuse.
• If you suspect child abuse, report it without delay.

expected outcomes

The best hope for the child is early discovery of the problem, and prompt action and treatment.

possible complications

• Physical injuries that could be fatal.
• Serious emotional and mental problems for the child.
• Risk for many different types of problems later in life .

 diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• Children are often afraid to tell anyone about abuse. They feel they are at fault and no one will believe them.
• If your child tells you about abuse, stay calm and let the child know that he or she is believed. Take steps to protect the child. Take action to report the abuse. You may want to call the local Child Protective Service. If you are unsure what to do, ask someone you trust.
• Call your child's health care provider if you think your child has been abused. Treatment will be given for any injuries. The child may need hospital care. Health care providers must report any suspected or known cases of child abuse to the proper authorities.
• Mental health counseling for the child and the family can help everyone learn ways to cope better.
• To learn more: Childhelp USA, 15757 N. 78 Ave., Scottsdale, AZ 85260; (480) 922-8212 (not toll free); website: www.childhelp.org.
• To report child abuse, call the Local Child Protective Services or the national hotline (800) 422-4453.
• If you have abused a child or think you might, seek help. Call your health care provider or a local help line.

medications

Drugs may be needed to treat or prevent a sexually transmitted disease (STD), or to prevent a pregnancy.

activity

No limits unless a child's injuries cause problems.

diet

No special diet.

 notify our office if

• You or another adult suspects child abuse.
• Your child has been abused and needs help coping.

Special Notes: