CHILD ABUSE Essay

Child abuse is a large problem in this world we live in. Every single country suffers from the problem. It is all around us. This problem can permanently scar a child’s life through adulthood. Child abuse is the emotional/physical harm and neglect of a child. Currently the United States and many western countries place child abuse as a high priority. Despite these efforts, child abuse is often not easily seen by just anyone, and is happening as you read this. More than 6 million children are reported as being abused in the United States. According to ChildHelp.org, “A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds.” 28.3% of all child abuse reports in the united states are Physical abuse; 20.7% for Sexual Abuse; 10.6% for emotional abuse, 9.9% for physical neglect, and 14.8% for physical neglect. The impact child abuse has on children can have a detrimental effect in their childhood and even adulthood; This includes mental health disorders, addictions, and related issues such as: Risk for intimate partner violence, alcoholism and alcohol abuse, illicit drug abuse, smoking and drinking at an early age, depression, and suicide attempts. The sexual and reproductive health issues and risk factors as a result of abuse also include: Multiple sexual partners, the chance of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases, unintended/adolescent pregnancies with fetal death, and the early initiation of sexual activity. It is also estimated that the “lifetime estimates of lost worker productivity, health care costs, special education costs, child welfare expenditures and criminal justice expenditures added up to $124 Billion.” This amounts to 1.7 million children that could have gone to college if it weren’t for the costs of child abuse on society. And this information alone is for those children whom survived the abuse. It is estimated that 1,640 children whom died as a result of abuse and neglect. This amounts to about 4-5 children per day. About 70% of those children who