Child Abuse In America

Child Abuse Child abuse is an abominable problem in America. The reprehensible truth is that before today is over, more than four children will have died from abuse (11 facts about Child Abuse). Child Abuse kills more children in america than accidental falls, choking on food, suffocation or fires in the home. Once a child is abused it leaves a negative impact on that child, it doesn’t just affect them physically. There are other forms of abuse such as verbal abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse and neglect, it all needs to come to a stop. Often Child abuse is narrowly defined as having only physical implications. In reality a child can be abused in more than just that one way. Physical abuse is any intentional act causing injury
There is a difference between shaking a baby to get them to laugh and shaking them to the point where it’s considered child abuse. Michael is a perfect example of this. When Michael was six months old, he was repeatedly shaken by a daycare provider. Michael now has problems as a kid and has to have physical, occupational and speech therapy. Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is the leading cause of child abuse death in the United States. Every day, three to four children are victims of SBS (Brain Injury Alliance). While more perpetrators are biological fathers, stepfathers and mothers’ boyfriends, anyone caring for a child can commit SBS. When people think of a child being abused they think of the child being beaten or neglected. People don’t realize that there are so many ways a child can be abused. Just by not feeding your child is a form of neglect and abuse. People also don’t realize the long term effects a child can suffer from abuse. Michaels story is a perfect example. He was just a baby and was shaken to the point where he now suffers brain damage. Michael wasn’t able to tell someone or pick up the phone and call 911 and he surely didn’t ask for it to
Professionals who come in contact with abused children include law enforcement officers, medical professionals, child care workers, teachers, and other school staff. Others who may know abused children are neighbors, relatives, and parents of the child’s friends. Child abuse cuts across all walks of life: a child of any race, social background, or economic class, even your own child may be abused. Regardless of your relationship to the abused child, your responses, attitudes, and actions can be critical to his or her overall experience and eventual healing. If you suspect or notice a child may be a victim you should report your suspicions. People often tend to not want to report their suspicions because they don’t want to get involved; but regardless, you could be making a child’s life a whole lot better than what it is. Get involved, if you notice there are bruises on a child that don’t look like the result of falling off a bike or down the steps you should ask the child “How did that happen?”, if they refuse to tell or try to hide it that can be a sign and should be reported. Take notes of what you ask the child and their response to you, but also respect the child’s trust and don’t act suspicious. Most children are afraid to come clean and tell someone because they are afraid of what can happen if they are taken from the only home they’ve ever known. In some cases Foster Care and other services are better for the child than