Childhood should be carefree, playing in the sun; not living a nightmare in the darkness of the soul.

Dave Pelzer, A Child Called “It” (Dave Pelzer, #1)

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Are you aware of the signs of child abuse? Learn more, be enlightened, and prevent child abuse.

What is Child Abuse & Neglect?

[Child abuse and neglect are defined by Federal and State laws]

>At the State level, child abuse and
neglect may be defined in both civil and criminal
statutes. This publication presents civil definitions
that determine the grounds for intervention by
State child protective agencies.

>At the Federal
level, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment
Act (CAPTA) has defined child abuse and neglect
as “any recent act or failure to act on the part
of a parent or caregiver that results in death,
serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse,
or exploitation, or an act or failure to act that
presents an imminent risk of serious harm.

Child abuse is a heartbreaking reality for many children living in poverty, and it comes in many forms may it be:

✖️ Physical, spiritual, emotional, neglect, exploitation, ignoring children’s needs, putting them in unsupervised, dangerous situations, exposing them to sexual situations, or making them feel worthless or stupid are also forms of child abuse and neglect—and they can leave deep, lasting scars on kids.

Millions of children around the world are suffering and need someone to speak up on their behalf.

Globally in 2014, 1 billion children aged 2–17 years experienced physical, sexual, emotional or multiple types of violence.

In 2014, children comprised 28 percent of detected trafficking victims.

Every year, there are an estimated 41,000 homicide deaths in children under 15 years of age. 

Warning signs of child abuse and neglect that you should be aware of:
•Excessively withdrawn, fearful, or anxious about doing something wrong
•Shows extremes in behavior
•Frequent injuries or unexplained bruises, welts, or cuts
•Is always watchful and “on alert,” as if waiting for something bad to happen
•Clothes are ill-fitting, filthy, or inappropriate for the weather
•Hygiene is consistently bad (unbathed, matted and unwashed hair, noticeable body odor)
•Trouble walking or sitting
•Displays knowledge of sexual acts inappropriate for their age, or even seductive behavior

What should you do if you suspect a child being abused or neglected?
☑ Avoid denial and remain calm – If you display denial to a child, or show shock or disgust at what they are saying, the child may be afraid to continue and will shut down
☑ Don’t interrogate – Let the child explain to you in their own words
☑ Reassure the child that they did nothing wrong – Reassure them that you take what they said seriously, and that it is not their fault
☑ Safety comes first – If you feel that your safety or the safety of the child would be threatened if you tried to intervene, leave it to the professionals.

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Sources:

https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/define.pdf.

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect.htm

https://www.compassion.com/poverty/child-abuse.htm

Disclaimer: This blog/site is an output of a student project for Empowerment Technologies, and does not necessarily represent any views of a certain community or institution and any other individuals referenced or acknowledged within the blog.