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Running head: WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE?

What is Child Abuse?


Review of Literature
Denise Cordova
The University of Texas at El Paso

WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE?

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Abstract

Children are suffering from an unseen epidemic of child abuse. Its an extensive battle against
our children that we have the power to stop, and understanding the issue is the first step. There
are many forms of child maltreatment, including neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse,
exploitation, and emotional abuse. The United States has one of the worst records among modern
nations, losing on average between four and seven children every day to child abuse and neglect.
The purpose of this study is to investigate and inform the importance of child abuse in the United
States, this study focuses on addressing and analyzing the causes of child abuse. Also
understanding on what can we do to prevent child abuse.

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What is Child Abuse?

A Review of the Literature

A report of child abuse is made every ten second in the Unites States. In 2014, state agencies
found an estimated 702,000 victims of child maltreatment, but that only tells part of the story
(Child Help). It is important to understand that there are four different types of child abuse, and
each type of abuse have very high statics numbers in the country, the definition of the four types
of child abuse; physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. According to the
website childhelp.org, Physical Abuse is when a parent causes any non-accidental physical injury
to a child. Sexual Abuse is when an adult uses a child for sexual purposes or involves a child in
sexual acts. Emotional Abuse occurs when a parent harms a childs mental and social
development or causes several emotional harm, it is considered emotional abuse. Most of the
emotional abuse is a pattern or behavior that causes damages over time. Neglect happens when a
parent does not give care, supervision, affection and support needed for a childs health, safety
and well-being. This literature review will focus on an intensive research of different scholarly
articles and the impressive high numbers of death happened every year on the United States by
addressing the following questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.

What is child abuse?


What causes child abuse?
Why should we value children?
How to help prevent child abuse?

Understanding the four different types of child abuse, the value of children and the cycle of
parents who beats their children that needs to be broken in order to understand and stop child
abuse.

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What is child abuse?

Is very important to understand what child abuse is, in order to fully comprehend the abuse.
According to the Child welfare government agency, the Federal Child Abuse Prevention and
Treatment Act (CAPTA), (42 U.S.C.A. 5106g), as amended and reauthorized by the CAPTA
Reauthorization Act of 2010, defines child abuse and neglect as, at minimum:

Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death,
serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or an act or failure to act
which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.
Most Federal and State child protection laws primarily refer to cases of harm to a child caused by
parents or other caregivers; they generally do not include harm caused by other people, such as
acquaintances or strangers. Some State laws also include a childs witnessing of domestic
violence as a form of abuse or neglect (2013).
Most states in the United States recognize the four different types of abuse: physical abuse,
sexual abuse, neglect and emotional abuse. it is important to learn more and to understand how
can signs of child abuse be recognize. According to the article by Rimsza and Schackner,
although inaction or inappropriate action by Child Protective Services is often thought to be the
cause of child abuse deaths, the ACFRP determined that in 79% of child abuse deaths, there had
been no previous CPS involvement with the childs family. Although 61% of child abuse deaths
were considered to be preventable, much of the responsibility for preventing these deaths rests
with community members like neighbors who were aware of the abuse but failed to report the
family to CPS (2002).

WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE?

What causes child abuse?


According to the Department of Humans and Health Services, there is not any single fact which
causes child abuse; abuse usually occurs in families where there is a combination of risk factors.
Abuse and neglect occur most often in families who are under pressure and lack support. Some
major key factors are families who grow on difficult situations such as, poverty, lack of
education, unemployment, frequent changes of addresses, violence between family members,
loneliness, social isolation, inadequate housing, depression, parent may have been abuse as a
child this is the cycle of the abuse, alcohol, drugs, mental health, and sometimes work pressure
(2013). Another important question is who are the abusers? The answer can vary depending on
the type of the abuse but the most general answer is anyone, yes, anyone can abuse a child, even
the person that is least expected because that person looks normal or not a violent person does
not mean he or she is a child abuser. On sexual abuse the majority of the abuser are males and
the majority of victims are females. The department of Humans and health Services reported that

WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE?

both men and women commit physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. It often depends on
which parent spends most time with the child. Child abuse usually takes place in the home with
someone that the child knows rather than with strangers (2013).

Why should we value children?


It is very important to value children so they continue to develop a sense of self-esteem, selfworth and independent thinking, to teach children that they have self-worth and that their ideas
and opinions are just as important as ours. Children need to know form the beginning that they
are loved and that they are worth it. children need to grow up with more than the requirement of
care, children need love, attention, protection and more. Is very important that children grow
knowing they are very valuable, so that the cycle of the abuse from the parents does not repeat
with the children future children.
How to help prevent child abuse?
The first step in order to know how to prevent child abuse is to educate yourself, is important to
remember to be reasonable when suspecting child abuse is occurring, but even the smallest
feeling of suspicion, contact the local Child Protection services agencies to report the abuse,
because even though is the person is not sure the abuse is happening, the phone call can save a
life. Here are some tips to help prevent child abuse. First evaluate the situation, help a child
when you see adults abusing children in public places. When talking to a parent about the
children in their care you should consider be helpful and supportive, rather than judgmental and
critical. Be empathetic when having a conversation and focus the attention on the child because it
may divert the parents anger. Also help when a child is physically hurt. Second, report the abuse,
there is no need to make decisions about whether abuse or neglect occurred: people are just

WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE?

reporting their concerns. Reporting the abuse to the local Child Protective Services (CPS) or
called to the Child help National Child Abuse Hotline (24/7) at 1.800.422.4453. There might be a
need to call more than once. Remember, a child may be counting on that person to make the call.
Third Understanding Child Abuse Laws Once the report is made, Child Protective Services
agencies are not free to give any information about the case. They will, however, be able to say
whether a case has been substantiated or not. Substantiation means that there is enough evidence
to justify an investigation and case plan. Remember that one person can make a meaningful
contribution in the life of a child in your community. Get involved in American Humanes Front
Porch Project and help protect children by reconnecting with your neighbors and the surrounding
community.

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References

CanChildDeathsBePrevented?TheArizonaChildFatalityReviewProgramExperience
(2002).MaryE.Rimsza,RobertA.Schackner,KathrynA.BowenandWilliamMarshall
Pediatrics.
Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2013). What is child abuse and neglect?
Recognizing the signs and symptoms. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, Children's Bureau.
Department of Human Services, Victoria, Australia. (2013). Retrieved from:
http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/for-individuals/children,-families-and-young-people/childprotection/about-child-abuse/what-is-child-abuse/what-are-the-causes-of-child-abuse
What is Child Abuse. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2016, from
https://www.childhelp.org/child-abuse/

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