By: Lydia Bolls, Kelsey DeMott, Jessica Grandlinard, Jillian Rogers, and Cori Timmons

Defining Child Abuse

• Harm or threatened harm to a child’s health or welfare that occurs through nonaccidental physical or mental injury, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or maltreatment, by a parent, a legal guardian, or any other person responsible for the child’s health or welfare.

Statistics• 65% of children in the United States

have been abused.–75% emotionally, 25% physically or

sexually• Abuse is a leading cause of child

fatalities.

Types of Abuse• Physical• Sexual• Emotional• Neglect• http://www.youtube.com/w

atch?v=e2lZsmrFT4g&feature=related

Recognizing Abuse

• Physical– Unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken

bones, or black eyes, or faded bruises after absence– Frightened of the parents and protests or

cries when it is time to go home – Shrinks at the approach of adults

Recognizing Abuse• Sexual– Difficulty walking or sitting – Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in

physical activities – Sudden change in appetite – Bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or

behavior – Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease,

particularly if under age 14

Recognizing Abuse

• Emotional– Extremes in behavior (overly compliant,

demanding, extreme passivity, or aggression)– Either inappropriately adult or inappropriately

infantile – Delayed in physical or emotional development – Attempted suicide – Lack of attachment to the parent

Recognizing Abuse

• Neglect– Frequently absent from school – Begs or steals food or money – Lacks needed medical care– Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor – Lacks sufficient clothing – Abuses alcohol or other drugs – States that there is no one at home to provide

care

Effects of Abuse• The children who suffer from abuse

develop self-destructive behaviors and thoughts by trying to deal with the abuse.

• Some children blame and question themselves.

Effects of Abuse

• What Abuse Does to Children– Feelings of Guilt– Violation– Loss of Control– Lowered Self-Esteem– Long Term Effects of Abuse• Emotional/Behavior problems• Poor performance in school• Further Abuse

Effects of Abuse

• List of the MANY Effects– Academic difficulties– Alcohol and drug abuse– Anxiety– Attention problems– Bad dreams– Concentration problems– Eating disorders– Social Withdrawal– Suicide attempts– Inappropriate age behavior

If a child comes to you…

• Don’t Panic• Listen • Don’t ask questions• Encourage the child• Reassure• Contact appropriate authorities

If you suspect abuse…

• Teachers are required by law to report suspected abuse.

• Contact your local child protective services officer or law enforcement agency.

Getting Treatment

• There are several centers, organization, and programs to help children who are recovering from abuse.– www.Casa-CC.org– www.childhelp.org– www.theresNoExcuse.com– www.findcounseling.com/nation/child-abuse.html– www.angelfire.com/mi/oazamazao/abuselinks.html

Activity

• Divide into four groups.• Assign one type of abuse per group.

(Emotional, Physical, Sexual, Neglect)• Create poster with 2-3 examples of how you

would recognize the signs of abuse.

Works Cited• www.carehouse.org/mandated-reporter/glossary

.aspx• www.theabusesite.com/childabusestatistics.html• www.cyf.govt.nz/SuspectAbuse.htm• www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/signs.cfm• http://www.safechild.org/childabuse5.htm• http://www.findcounseling.com/journal/child-ab

use/child-abuse-effects.html• http://frcmo.org/EffectsofChildAbuse_124.aspx• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2lZsmrFT4g

&feature=related• http://wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_abuse • http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/sig

hns.cfm