Child Abuse
Child Abuse: The Pandemic
Four children under the age of 4 died yesterday! They didn’t die from sickness, disease, fatal car accidents, or even accidental poisoning, but at the hands of a loved one. A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds (National Child Abuse Statistics – Childhelp). Child abuse in America is a pandemic, a wide spread epidemic that affects many people, and the proof is in the statistics that are posted through websites like childhelp.org where they have estimated that while 3 million cases of child abuse are reported each year the actual number of incidents is closer to three times that number!
bite marks
unusual bruises
lacerations
burns
high incidence of accidents or frequent injuries
fractures in unusual places
injuries, swellings to face and extremities
discoloration of skin
Additionally, the article goes on to list the behavioral indicators that could be present and these as well can include but are not limited to:
avoids physical contact with others
apprehensive when other children cry
wears clothing to purposely conceal injury, i.e. long sleeves
refuses to undress for gym or for required physical exams at school
gives inconsistent versions about occurrence of injuries, burns, etc.
seems frightened by parents
often late or absent from school
comes early to school, seems reluctant to go home afterwards
has difficulty getting along with others,
little respect for others
overly compliant, withdrawn, gives in readily and allows others to do for him/her without protest
plays aggressively, often hurting peers
complains of pain upon movement or contact
has a history of running away from home
reports abuse by parents
In doing the research for this assignment you would find hundreds upon thousands of personal accounts of how child abuse can...
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