Preventing Child Abuse In The United States
Children of the United States have survived many epidemics and actually thrived when the eradication process started. Over forty years, 1921 to 1963, scientists developed vaccines that have all but eliminated Diphtheria, Polio, and Measles. There was widespread support and involvement in the proposed research and the development and distribution of vaccines from the March of Dimes to Rotary International. If these devastating epidemics could be conquered through the dedication of professionals along with public support, perhaps the time has come to enlist national help to stem the growing tide of Child Abuse which has reached epidemic proportion with three million cases reported annually, by educating the general population on what is actually
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One should take notice and report a child being kicked, bit, choked, shoved, hair pulled, or whipping that can be considered excessive and causes injury to a child. Whether or not, injury was intended, it is still child abuse. Bruises, scratches, cuts, broken bones, dislocated joints, and burns can be the result of child abuse. An adult who can’t or won’t explain an injury of a child or explains it with an elaborate story should be considered suspect. It is not normal for an adult to show aggression toward a child or indicate that the child is a troublemaker or evil liar. Take note if a parent or caregiver has a history of abusive behavior and/or takes the child to different doctors for treatment and frequently keeps the child from school or church. A good babysitter may notice injuries on an infant that is still too young to crawl, fading bruises along with new ones. Bruises or marks that have a distinctive shape ie. slaps that leave the shape of a hand, bruises that look like finger marks. If these marks show up frequently following weekends, vacations or school absences, dated photos and notes are a good thing to have should recall become necessary. Teachers often can recognize an abused child if aggression toward pets and peers is observed, often withdrawing from participation due to anxiety and acts afraid of parents and adults in authority. Special attention should be given if a child is self-destructive and reports severe discipline. Another cold hard fact is that 28.3% of adults report being physically abused as a child. (O’Meara and
One should take notice and report a child being kicked, bit, choked, shoved, hair pulled, or whipping that can be considered excessive and causes injury to a child. Whether or not, injury was intended, it is still child abuse. Bruises, scratches, cuts, broken bones, dislocated joints, and burns can be the result of child abuse. An adult who can’t or won’t explain an injury of a child or explains it with an elaborate story should be considered suspect. It is not normal for an adult to show aggression toward a child or indicate that the child is a troublemaker or evil liar. Take note if a parent or caregiver has a history of abusive behavior and/or takes the child to different doctors for treatment and frequently keeps the child from school or church. A good babysitter may notice injuries on an infant that is still too young to crawl, fading bruises along with new ones. Bruises or marks that have a distinctive shape ie. slaps that leave the shape of a hand, bruises that look like finger marks. If these marks show up frequently following weekends, vacations or school absences, dated photos and notes are a good thing to have should recall become necessary. Teachers often can recognize an abused child if aggression toward pets and peers is observed, often withdrawing from participation due to anxiety and acts afraid of parents and adults in authority. Special attention should be given if a child is self-destructive and reports severe discipline. Another cold hard fact is that 28.3% of adults report being physically abused as a child. (O’Meara and