Thursday, May 8, 2014

Child Abuse

There is only one argument that can be made about child abuse; it is a terrible crime that is causing the deaths of many innocent children. And the main issue with child abuse is that no one knows enough about it to be able to stop it. You can inform yourself of what child abuse really is simply by reading this article, and maybe, just maybe you could save a children's life. 






My Story

It all started when I moved back with my parents. I lived with my grandparents for about the first seven years of my life, and the reason why I lived with them and not my parents is because my mom was trying to protect me. However, I did not know that when I was a child. I decided to move back with my parents and things got really bad as soon as I moved back. I did not know what to think, I was confused. I did not know why my dad was so violent or why he would hit me and my mom. I never did anything to make him mad. I never knew why he would punish me. I never understood why he hated me. It hurts just to look back in time. Every day that I lived with him was a challenge. Every day from the moment I would open my eyes I would feel fear. I had to be perfect every day in order to not be punished as bad. But even when I thought I did good I would still receive some type of punishment. There was not a single day that I did not get hit or punished by my dad. There is one punishment that I will never forget. My little sister and I had both put on skates and went outside to use them. She ended up falling, which made her cry instantaneously and my dad came outside with a belt and started hitting me without even asking what had happened. I, of course started crying because of how hard he would hit me. Then the punishment came. He made me get on my knees right in front of the living room wall, about a foot away from the wall and told me to put my hands up against the wall but I was not allowed to touch the wall. He stayed there for three hours to make sure I did not disobey him. My mom fortunately came home and told me to go to my room, but it was too late. I could not bring my arms down to the side of my body. It was so painful that I had to go to the hospital, and the doctor told me that I would never be able to bring my arms all the way down to the side of my body due to the damage that was caused to my nerves. That day my mom said, "No more". And she turned in my dad to the police. I have not seen him in ten years. It is sad that I do not have a dad, but it is even sadder that a father would do that to his child. I am glad I was the one to get abused by my father and not my sisters. I am glad he loved them enough to not hurt them, because there are a few things he could of done to them that he could of not done to me; rape. And that is something I would have not been able to live with for the rest of my life. Therefore, I would not trade myself for anyone else. I learned so much from my experience. I learned how terrible it feels having fear every day of your life. I learned what it feels like to feel pain all throughout the day. I learned how to be brave. I learned that no child should feel what I felt. No child deserves to live in a world full of fear. My experience taught me one thing that I consider to be the most important of all. I learned that I am the complete opposite person of my father and therefore I will never abuse a child. That is something I will always embrace. The fact that I am nothing like my father (an abuser). I am a survivor of child abuse and a protector of those children who still need help. 





The Facts 

Approximately 5 children die every day because of child abuse. 

1 out of 3 girls and 1 out of 5 boys will be sexually abused before they reach age 18. 

90% of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way. 68% are abused by a family member. 

Most children become victims of abuse and neglect at 18 months or younger. 

In 2010, 1,537 children died of abuse or neglect. 79.4% were under the age of 4 and 47.7% were under the age of 1. 

Boys (48.5%) and girls (51.2%) become victims at nearly the same rate. 

3.6 million cases of child abuse are reported every year in the U.S. 

Abused and neglected children are 11 times more likely to engage in criminal behavior as an adult. 

About 80% of 21-year-olds who were abused as children met criteria for at least one psychological disorder. 

14% of all men and 36% of all women in prison were abused as children. 

Abused children are less likely to practice safe sex, putting them at greater risk for STDs. They’re also 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy.




Types of Abuse

The most common type of child abuse is neglect. Child neglect is when a parent fails to provide food, basic physical health care, education, emotional nurturing, and or safe housing.
Some of the signs and symptoms include; clothes are ill-fitting, filthy, or inappropriate for the weather. Hygiene is consistently bad (unbathed, matted and unwashed hair, noticeable body odor). Untreated illnesses and physical injuries. The child is frequently unsupervised or left alone or allowed to play in unsafe situations and environments. Is frequently late or missing from school.

The second most common type of child abuse is physical abuse. Physical abuse on a child is when someone beats them (usually a parent), either with their own hands or with objects and cause severe pain or a severe injury to a child.
Some of the signs and symptoms might inlcude; frequent injuries or unexplained bruises, welts, or cuts. The child is always watchful and “on alert,” as if waiting for something bad to happen. Injuries appear to have a pattern such as marks from a hand or belt. Shies away from touch, flinches at sudden movements, or seems afraid to go home. Wears inappropriate clothing to cover up injuries, such as long-sleeved shirts on hot days.


The third most common type of abuse is sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is when a child is raped before the age of eighteen by an adult or someone who is older than them.
Some of the signs and symptoms might include; trouble walking or sitting. Child displays knowledge or interest in sexual acts inappropriate to his or her age, or even seductive behavior. Makes strong efforts to avoid a specific person, without an obvious reason. Doesn’t want to change clothes in front of others or participate in physical activities. An STD or pregnancy, especially under the age of 14. And lastly, runs away from home.

The fourth most common type of child abuse is Psychological abuse (emotional). Psychological abuse, also known as emotional or mental abuse is when someone uses words to hurt children. 
Some of the signs or symptoms might include; excessively withdrawn, fearful, or anxious about doing something wrong. Shows extremes in behavior (extremely compliant or extremely demanding; extremely passive or extremely aggressive). Does not seem to be attached to the parent or caregiver. Acts either inappropriately adult (taking care of other children) or inappropriately infantile (rocking, thumb-sucking, throwing tantrums).







It's a Federal Crime!

Abusing a child in any sort of way is a federal crime and the consequences are very well deserved. Penalties and sentencing does depend on several different things such as state where the crime was committed, the age (if sexual abuse was involved), how hurt the child is (emotionally or physically), and if the criminal has any past child abuse history. Child abuse may be charged as a felony, depending on how serious the offense was, and therefore could lead to a lifetime in jail. Some other consequences include, termination of parental rights, supervised access to a child, physical or actual loss of a child, and for the rest of an abusers life they have to be registered as a sexual offender (if the abuse involved a sexual offense) anywhere they decide to live. Putting a child's life at risk is a very delicate issue and could lead to many, many, many different consequences and no one, not even God would forgive those who abuse children.




HELP Stop Child Abuse...

Not everyone will care enough to save a child. There are those people out there that do not like getting involved in other people's business, and will say things like "They will get caught sooner or later, so I will just pretend like I never saw anything". Let's not think like that and get INVOLVED! If we think that something is up, REPORT IT. We might be saving the life of a child. Imagine how good that would feel, and how grateful the child will be for saving his or her life. There are a few things we can do if we witness or know that child abuse might be happening somewhere around us. The first thing we could do is approach the child and simply talk to him, and not necessarily about the topic of child abuse. Talk to him about other things that will get his or her mind off of the fact that he gets abused. Then, we can report it to the police in order to get the law involved. Another thing we could do is talk to a hotline about it, and further action will be taken. All we have to do if we suspect child abuse is dial one of these two numbers; 911, or 1-800-422-4453. By simply dialing one of those two numbers we could save thousands of lives. We need to spread the word to end the word. 










Works Cited
Smith, Belinda. (February, 2014). Child Abuse & Neglect. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/child_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm


dosomething.org Retrieved from: https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-child-abuse

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Child Abuse

There is only one argument that can be made about child abuse; it is a terrible thing that is causing the deaths of many innocent children and there is no one attempting to do a better job to save the lives of those children who are being abused. But WE can make a difference.

It all started when I moved back with my parents. I lived with my grandparents for about the first seven years of my life, and the reason why I lived with them and not my parents is because my mom was trying to protect me. However, I did not know that when I was a child. I decided to move back with my parents and things got really bad as soon as I moved back. I did not know what to think, I was confused. I did not know why my dad was so violent or why he would hit me and my mom. I never did anything to make him mad. I never knew why he would punish me. I never understood why he hated me. It hurts just to look back in time. Every day that I lived with him was a challenge. Every day from the moment I would open my eyes I would feel fear. I had to be perfect every day in order to not be punished as bad. But even when I thought I did good I would still receive some type of punishment. There was not a single day that I did not get hit or punished by my dad. There is one punishment that I will never forget. My little sister and I had both put on skates and went outside to use them. She ended up falling, which made her cry instantaneously and my dad came outside with a belt and started hitting me without even asking what had happened. I, of course started crying  because of how hard he would hit me. Then the punishment came. He made me get on my knees right in front of the living room wall, about a foot away from the wall and told me to put my hands up against the wall but I was not allowed to touch the wall. He stayed there for three hours to make sure I did not disobey him. My mom fortunately came home and told me to go to my room, but it was too late. I could not bring my arms down to the side of my body. It was so painful that I had to go to the hospital, and the doctor told me that I would never be able to bring my arms all the way down to the side of my body due to the damage that was caused to my nerves. That day my mom said, "No more". And she turned in my dad to the police. I have not seen him in ten years. It is sad that I do not have a dad, but it is even sadder that a father would do that to his child.




 Here are some things we need to know about child abuse.


"Approximately 5 children die every day because of child abuse.

1 out of 3 girls and 1 out of 5 boys will be sexually abused before they reach age 18.

90% of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way. 68% are abused by a family member.

Most children become victims of abuse and neglect at 18 months or younger.

In 2010, 1,537 children died of abuse or neglect. 79.4% were under the age of 4 and 47.7% were under the age of 1.

Boys (48.5%) and girls (51.2%) become victims at nearly the same rate.

3.6 million cases of child abuse are reported every year in the U.S.

Abused and neglected children are 11 times more likely to engage in criminal behavior as an adult.

About 80% of 21-year-olds who were abused as children met criteria for at least one psychological disorder.

14% of all men and 36% of all women in prison were abused as children.

Abused children are less likely to practice safe sex, putting them at greater risk for STDs. They’re also 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy." (dosomething.org)

The four main types of child abuse are, physical, sexual, psychological, and neglect.  Last but not least, Psychological abuse, also known as emotional or mental abuse is when someone uses words to hurt other people such as calling a girl "fat", or bullying a kid every day and making him feel "less of a person", etc. 


Child neglect is when a parent fails to provide food, basic physical health care, education, emotional nurturing, and or safe housing.


Physical abuse on a child is when someone beats them, either with their own hands or with objects and cause severe pain or a severe injury to a child.
Physical Abuse



Sexual abuse is when a child is raped before the age of eighteen by an adult or someone who is older than them.
Sexual Abuse


Last but not least, Psychological abuse, also known as emotional or mental abuse is when someone uses words to hurt other people such as calling a girl "fat", or bullying a kid every day and making him feel "less of a person", etc. 
Psychological Abuse

Abusing a child in any sort of way is a federal crime and the consequences are very well deserved. Penalties and sentencing does depend on several different things such as state where the crime was committed, the age (if sexual abuse was involved), how hurt the child is (emotionally or physically), and if the criminal has any past child abuse history. Child abuse may be charged as a felony, depending on how serious the offense was, and therefore could lead to a lifetime in jail. Some other consequences include, termination of parental rights, supervised access to a child, physical or actual loss of a child, and for the rest of an abusers life they have to be registered as a sexual offender (if the abuse involved a sexual offense) anywhere they decide to live. Putting a child's life at risk is a very delicate issue and could lead to many, many, many different consequences and no one, not even God would forgive those who abuse children. 


Sings and Symptoms of child abuse:

"Warning signs of emotional abuse in children

  • Excessively withdrawn, fearful, or anxious about doing something wrong.
  • Shows extremes in behavior (extremely compliant or extremely demanding; extremely passive or extremely aggressive).
  • Doesn’t seem to be attached to the parent or caregiver.
  • Acts either inappropriately adult (taking care of other children) or inappropriately infantile (rocking, thumb-sucking, throwing tantrums).

Warning signs of physical abuse in children

  • Frequent injuries or unexplained bruises, welts, or cuts.
  • Is always watchful and “on alert,” as if waiting for something bad to happen.
  • Injuries appear to have a pattern such as marks from a hand or belt.
  • Shies away from touch, flinches at sudden movements, or seems afraid to go home.
  • Wears inappropriate clothing to cover up injuries, such as long-sleeved shirts on hot days.

Warning signs of neglect in children

  • Clothes are ill-fitting, filthy, or inappropriate for the weather.
  • Hygiene is consistently bad (unbathed, matted and unwashed hair, noticeable body odor).
  • Untreated illnesses and physical injuries.
  • Is frequently unsupervised or left alone or allowed to play in unsafe situations and environments.
  • Is frequently late or missing from school.

Warning signs of sexual abuse in children

  • Trouble walking or sitting.
  • Displays knowledge or interest in sexual acts inappropriate to his or her age, or even seductive behavior.
  • Makes strong efforts to avoid a specific person, without an obvious reason.
  • Doesn’t want to change clothes in front of others or participate in physical activities.
  • An STD or pregnancy, especially under the age of 14.
  • Runs away from home." (Smith, Melinda "Helpguide.org")
 
Not everyone will care enough to save a child. There are those people out there that do not like getting involved in other people's business, and will say things like "They will get caught sooner or later, so I will just pretend like I never saw anything". Let's not think like that and get INVOLVED! If we think that something is up, REPORT IT. We might be saving the life of a child. Imagine how good that would feel, and how grateful the child will be for saving his or her life. There are a few things we can do if we witness or know that child abuse might be happening somewhere around us. The first thing we could do is approach the child and simply talk to him, and not necessarily about the topic of child abuse. Talk to him about other things that will get his or her mind off of the fact that he gets abused. Then, we can report it to the police in order to get the law involved. Another thing we could do is talk to a hotline about it, and further action will be taken. All we have to do if we suspect child abuse is dial one of these two numbers; 911, or 1-800-422-4453. By simply dialing one of those two numbers we could save thousands of lives. We need to spread the word, and it is the perfect time to spread awareness. 












Works Cited

Smith, Belinda. (February, 2014). Child Abuse & Neglect. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/child_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm

dosomething.org Retrieved from: https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-child-abuse