Child abuse may include any act or failure to act by a parent or other caregiver that results in actual or potential harm to a child. It can be an intentional act that harms which results in harm to the child. It can also be an unintentional act in not meeting or responding to basic needs.
There are four common types of abuse:
Physical abuse
The non-accidental physical injury of a child. The inadvertent result of physical punishment or physically aggressive treatment of a child.
Sexual abuse
Any act of a sexual nature upon or with a child for the sexual gratification of the perpetrator or a third party, including anyone who allowed or encouraged it.
Emotional abuse
Chronic attitudes or acts which interfere with the psychological and social development of a child. When a parent or caregiver harms a child’s mental and social development or causes severe emotional harm.
Neglect
Child-rearing practices which are essentially inadequate or dangerous. The failure to act on behalf of the child; not providing the care, supervision, affection, and support needed for a child’s health, safety, and well-being.
Neglect includes: physical neglect (failure to provide food or shelter, lack of appropriate supervision), medical neglect (failure to provide the necessary medical or mental health treatment), educational neglect (failure to educate a child or attend to special education needs), and emotional neglect (inattention to a child’s emotional needs, failure to provide psychological care).
Statistics
At least 1 in 7 children experienced child abuse and neglect in the last year.
Children living in poverty experience more abuse and neglect. Rates of child abuse and neglect are 5 times higher for children in families with low socio-economic status compared to children in families with higher socio-economic status.
A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds.
Five or more children die every day from some form of maltreatment.
In the United States, the total lifetime economic burden associated with child abuse and neglect was approximately $124 billion in 2008.
Cuyahoga County Children and Family Service (DCFS) receives almost 50,000 reports of child abuse each year.
In 2018: 10,278 referrals were screened in for abuse and neglect. 857 were screened in with dependency. 616 were screened in for family in need of service. As of December 31, 2018 there were 5,005 open cases.
Myths & Facts about Child Abuse
Myth: It’s only abuse if it's violent.
Fact: Physical abuse is just one type of child abuse. Neglect and emotional abuse can be just as damaging, and since they are more subtle, others are less likely to intervene.
Myth: Only bad people abuse their children.
Fact: While it's easy to say that only "bad people" abuse their children, it's not always so black and white. Not all abusers are intentionally harming their children. Many have been victims of abuse themselves, and don’t know any other way to parent. Others may be struggling with mental health issues or a substance abuse problem.
Myth: Most child abusers are strangers.
Fact: While abuse by strangers does happen, most abusers are family members or others close to the family.
Myth: Child abuse doesn't happen in “good” families.
Fact: Child abuse doesn't only happen in poor families or “bad” neighborhoods. It crosses all racial, economic, and cultural lines. Sometimes, families who seem to have it all from the outside are hiding a different story behind closed doors.
Myth: Abused children always grow up to be abusers.
Fact: It is true that abused children are more likely to repeat the cycle as adults, unconsciously repeating what they experienced as children. On the other hand, many adult survivors of child abuse have a strong motivation to protect their children against what they went through and become excellent parents.
Domestic Violence & Child Abuse
Children who are abused and neglected may suffer immediate physical injuries such as cuts, bruises, or broken bones as well as emotional and psychological problems, such as impaired socio-emotional skills or anxiety.
Child abuse and neglect can have a tremendous impact on broader lifelong health and wellbeing outcomes if left untreated.
Exposure to violence in childhood increases the risks of injury, future victimization, and perpetration, substance abuse, sexually transmitted infections, delayed brain development, reproductive health problems, involvement in sex trafficking, non-communicable diseases, lower educational attainment, and limited employment opportunities.
Chronic abuse may result in toxic stress and make victims more vulnerable to PTSD, conduct disorder, and learning, attention, and memory difficulties.
If you have a history of child abuse or other childhood trauma, memories, and feelings related to those experiences may be carried through to adulthood. This may happen when you have your own children, are forming relationships, or find yourself in seemingly unrelated situations. This can make it difficult to function in a healthy and productive manner.
Statistics
Boys who witness DV are twice as likely to abuse their own partners and children when they become adults.
Children who have experienced abuse are nine times more likely to become involved in criminal activities.
Abused children have a higher risk of exhibiting violent behaviors. Child abuse victims are more likely to perpetrate youth violence (up to 6.6% for females and 11.9% for males) and young adult IPV (up to 10.4% for females and 17.2% for males).
An estimated 30-60% of families where domestic violence is identified, some form of co-occurring child maltreatment is also present.
Children exposed to maternal intimate partner violence, without experiencing child maltreatment, were 40% more likely to have behavioral problems than children not exposed.
Information for Parents
If you have a history of child abuse, having your own child(ren) can trigger strong memories and feelings that you may have repressed. This may happen when a child is born, or at later ages when you remember specific abuse to you. You may be shocked and overwhelmed by your anger, and feel like you can't control it. But you can learn new ways to manage your emotions and break your old patterns.
Remember, you are the most important person in your child(ren)'s world. It's worth the effort to make a change, and you don't have to go it alone. Help and support are available.
It is important to have conversations with your child(ren) about healthy relationships, and healthy behaviors. Always start discussions with your child(ren) at a general level. Keep in mind some facts about your child's cognitive and emotional development.
Start by setting up a general framework for discussion. For example: ”It's important that we talk about this every once in a while because it's a way that I make sure you're safe and I can teach you ways to stay safe. Only your parents and your doctor are ever supposed to touch your private parts.”
Be calm and emphasize your acceptance: ”You can always tell me if something like that happens. I won't be mad at you.”
Emphasize safety: ”Who are other people you can tell who can keep you safe? If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, you can always tell me, or a teacher, and we will protect you.”
Ask open-ended questions: “Has anyone at school or camp or church ever touched you in a bad way, or made you do anything you didn't like? Tell me about that.”
Reassure your child that if someone touches them inappropriately, it is never their fault; they are not to blame. Say you appreciate being told.
Don’t encourage your child to elaborate. Children can incorporate hints or possibilities into their beliefs about a specific situation. For example: avoid suggesting that something happened. e.g. “They did that, didn't they?”
Be patient: This will be challenging if you are worried about your child. You may ask about a situation in a routine way, and they may not answer you right away. Be attentive for an answer sometime after you ask about it.
Tips for Effective Discipline
There is no single solution to our disciplinary concerns. However, there are some guidelines for constructive discipline. Constructive discipline allows a child to have positive self-esteem; disapprove of what a child does, not of what the child is.
Praise your child's behavior
Be positive. Use "do" or "let's" instead of "no" or "don't" and use positive rather than negative suggestions or statements and give alternatives
Throw out rules you are unwilling to enforce
Develop realistic expectations. Don't expect too much from a young child
Do try and explain rules
Model behavior you expect
Avoid power struggles
Avoid harsh punishment. It encourages violent behavior and does not teach self-control
Consequences should be reasonable, prompt, and related to the misbehavior for them to be effective
Information for Family and Friends
It is important to be aware of child abuse and the signs you may see in a child who is experiencing abuse. How would you know if a child you care about is experiencing abuse?
Warning Signs of Emotional Abuse
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, tantruming)
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 do not fit properly, not laundered, 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 or activities
Warning signs of sexual abuse in children
Trouble walking or sitting
Displays knowledge or interest in sexual acts inappropriate to their 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
Child runs away from home
How to Help
What to do if you suspect abuse:
A report of abuse can be made if you have a “reasonable suspicion” that abuse is taking place
Report all the facts about the situation that you know. You do not have to investigate or confirm any information
An anonymous report can be made to the child abuse hotline, however, we encourage reporters to leave their name in case the investigator needs to verify information
If a child discloses abuse:
Remain calm. Avoid making facial expressions when the child is speaking
Listen closely to what the child has to say. Limit questions or interruptions when possible
Reassure the child they have done the right thing by telling
Don’t interrogate. Let the child explain to you in their own words what happened, but don’t interrogate the child or ask leading questions
Help make the child feel comfortable. Telling someone about abuse is difficult and uncomfortable for children
Just remember, you can make a tremendous difference in the life of an abused child, especially if you take steps to stop the abuse early. When talking with an abused child, the best thing you can provide is calm reassurance and unconditional support. Let your actions speak for you if you’re having trouble finding the words. Remember that talking about abuse may be very difficult for the child. It’s your job to reassure the child and provide whatever help you can.
To report child abuse in Cuyahoga County, OH, call 216.696.5437 (KIDS). To get help call or text our 24-Hour Helpline 216.391.4357 (HELP) or chat now.