Stopping Child Mistreatment, Neglect, and Abuse

Globally, millions of children become victims of abuse and neglect. Communities and Organizations have been coming together to stop this from happening. The American Society for the Protective Care of Children reported that over four million child abuse and neglect related reports have been received, and over 140,000 children received help from post-response services.

The shocking reality is that large numbers of children, both young and older children, face abuse and neglect. It’s difficult to point out the exact number of child abuse, since only a fraction of it has been recorded due to the inadequacy of reports. Already, organizations and communities have been coming together and raising awareness about child mistreatment and abuse.

To help stop child abuse from occurring, people must understand the behavioural and physical signs or a child who is being harmed. This way, a responsible adult can go in and help report abusive activity. Here are a few signs you should look out for:

Children exposed to acts of sexual abuse will start bringing up things related to sex at an inappropriate age. Some children will unusually talk excessively about sex or know a lot about sexual related topics at such a young age

An experienced New York clergy sexual abuse attorney says that the behavioural warning signs of child abuse include acts and habits that they have well outgrown, including bed wetting and thumb sucking. Also, from the trauma they experience, abused children are more prone to separation anxiety. Frightened children want to isolate themselves from friends, family and people who they don’t know. If you child begins distancing themselves away from their own friends or activities they enjoyed, it might be a sign of anxiety from abuse. RAINN states, a child who had faced trauma from sex or violence can show heightened signs of fear when they are left alone with certain people.

The less common but most alarming signs of child violence or sexual abuse would be the visible and physical signs. Unexplained cuts, bruises, infections and internal pains are a frightening sign of abuse. If a parent were to notice this, the best option would be to start documenting all signs and have it reported to a child help organization.

If you believe that your child is suffering from abuse or is in danger of abuse, you have the power to stop it from happening. First step would be to report and document everything you see that is suspicious or alarming. Whether it’s the emotional/physical signs, or if you see any suspicious activity, be sure to take note of the details. The next step is to report it to authorities. You can either call law enforcement or organizations like the National Abuse Hotline.

The futures of children are shaped by their experiences, their environment, and their relationships with the people they look up to, including parents, teachers, relatives and caretakers. Children who, sadly, are faced with harm, neglect and mistreatment are at a

high risk for negative behavioural developments and mental illnesses when they reach adulthood.

Already, many community activists and organizations are raising awareness and putting in major efforts to prevent child abuse from happening. Educating and talking your children, connect with your community and strengthen your social awareness, volunteer at a local child care and abuse prevention program, understand the behaviours of your children, take notice of adults with strange behaviour and interest, report and discuss suspicious behaviour with your community or abuse organizations are a few other ways people can help prevent child abuse. Giving children a safe and caring environment is essential to preventing abuse.