Forms of Abuse

There are many different types of child abuse - Physical, Emotional, Sexual, Isolation, Verbal, Neglect, but the core element that ties them together is the emotional effect on the child.

Child abuse is a problem that concerns us all! Can it be prevented? YES!

Child abuse and neglect can be prevented or stopped through the efforts of schools, neighbors, families and the community.

Child abuse and neglect occurs in all types of families—even in those that look happy from the outside

Physical:
Physical abuse involves physical harm or injury to the child. It can also result from severe discipline, such as using a belt on a child, or physical punishment that is inappropriate.
Many physically abusive parents and caregivers insist that their actions are simply forms of discipline—ways to make children learn to behave. But there is a big difference between using physical punishment to discipline and physical abuse. The point of disciplining children is to teach them right from wrong, not to make them live in fear.

Emotional:
Even if the abuse is not directly on the child, it is abuse. If a child is watchnig parents abuse each other that is emotional abuse!....i will continue soon...

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

..to be continued

Warning Signs

WARNING SIGNS:

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- Excessively withdrawn, fearful, or anxious about doing something wrong.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
- 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

- Clothes are ill-fitting, filthy, 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.