Child Abuse and Neglect

21 Jan Child Abuse and Neglect

Many children in the foster system come with trauma caused by abuse and neglect. Neglect is “the most common form of child maltreatment and happens when a parent or caregiver does not provide,” (CWIG). This can cause children harm and negatively impact their development. “At least one in seven children experienced child abuse or neglect in the past year in the United states,” (CDC). It is hard to know the exact number since many cases of abuse and neglect are not reported. “More than 550,000 children in the U.S. are known to be abused,” (NCA), “1 in 4 being girls, and 1 in 13 boys.”

Children who have experienced abuse and neglect suffer from mental, physical, behavioral, and emotional trauma. Death is also a likely outcome for children suffering abuse and neglect, whether it be from physical harm and trauma, mental health decline, suicide, or another related cause. Children who have experienced abuse and neglect are, “at increased risk for experiencing future violence victimization and perpetration, substance abuse, sexually transmitted infections, delayed brain development, lower educational attainment, and limited employment opportunities,” says CDC. Children who are left untreated from their experience with abuse and neglect are more likely to suffer from PTSD and mental health struggles later in life. This can cause the treatment more difficult as they battle with daily life tasks and form relationships in the future. 

Types of Abuse and Neglect: 

• Physical
• Sexual
• Emotional
• Neglect 

Risk Factors to be aware of for abuse and neglect:

• Children suffering from disabilities, mental health issues, illnesses, performance issues, etc.
• Caregivers that abuse substances/suffer from addiction 
• Caregivers that struggle with mental health
• Abusers who have been abused themselves 
• Young/single parents or those with many children in the home
• Caregivers without knowledge of resources to take care of children with extra needs 
• Caregivers that accept or justify violence or aggression in the home or out of it
• Lack of empathy, support, positive environment in the home

Protective Factors to reduce abuse and neglect:

• Learn how to provide proper, empathetic support 
• Meet basic needs of a child (food, shelter, education, health services)
• Seek education on how to provide positive social/relational/home environments as a caregiver
• Find resources for healthcare and financial support
• Be present in the child’s life
• Surround the children with proper role models 
• Learn proper communication skills that allow the child to have a voice but still maintain their respect towards the caregiver

These lists are provided by the CDC. To find more potential risk factors and protection factors for abuse and neglect, visit the CDC website. 

How can we prevent child abuse and neglect?

Aside from knowing what potential risk factors are and what protective factors to implement, there are other ways to try to prevent child abuse and neglect. From forming healthy, stable relationships with your children to creating a safe, loving home environment; from educating yourself and your children on what abuse and neglect is to connecting them with treatment on health (physical or mental), “everyone has a role to play in preventing child abuse and neglect,” (CDC). 

Make sure to treat your child as you would want to be treated. Validate their feelings, listen to understand – not to reply, give them your undivided attention and quality time, and make sure they always have resources and support in every aspect of their life. Know who they are spending time with and that they are safe social circumstances. Train yourself and your children on safety rules and measures. Trauma training is a great way to learn about appropriate behaviors and how to implement and encourage them.

Many children are returned back to the foster system due to parent’s lack of education and training on handling traumatized kids. Many face mental health struggles their entire life due to not receiving necessary support to treat them. Get educated, get support, and form a healthy life for you and your child. 

Resources:

https://www.cdc.gov/child-abuse-neglect/about/index.html

https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/safety-and-risk/child-abuse-and-neglect/?top=86 

https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/media-room/national-statistics-on-child-abuse/