PLEASURE WORLD

Abuse or maltreatment constitutes all forms of physical and/or emotional illtreatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power

Child sexual abuse is an especially complicated form of abuse because of its layers of guilt and shame. It’s important to recognize that sexual abuse doesn’t always involve body contact. Exposing a child to sexual situations or material is sexually abusive, whether or not touching is involved.

While news stories of sexual predators are scary, what is even more frightening is that sexual abuse usually occurs at the hands of someone the child knows and should be able to trust—most often close relatives. And contrary to what many believe, it’s not just girls who are at risk. Boys and girls both suffer from sexual abuse. In fact, sexual abuse of boys may be underreported due to shame and stigma.

The problem of shame and guilt in child sexual abuse

Aside from the physical damage that sexual abuse can cause, the emotional component is powerful and far-reaching. Sexually abused children are tormented by shame and guilt. They may feel that they are responsible for the abuse or somehow brought it upon themselves. This can lead to self-loathing and sexual problems as they grow older—often either excessive promiscuity or an inability to have intimate relations.

The shame of sexual abuse makes it very difficult for children to come forward. They may worry that others won’t believe them, will be angry with them, or that it will split their family apart. Because of these difficulties, false accusations of sexual abuse are not common, so if a child confides in you, take him or her seriously. Don’t turn a blind eye!

Warning signs of child abuse and neglect

Warning signs of child abuse and neglectThe earlier child abuse is caught, the better the chance of recovery and appropriate treatment for the child. Child abuse is not always obvious. By learning some of the common warning signs of child abuse and neglect, you can catch the problem as early as possible and get both the child and the abuser the help that they need.

Of course, just because you see a warning sign doesn’t automatically mean a child is being abused. It’s important to dig deeper, looking for a pattern of abusive behavior and warning signs, if you notice something off.

Warning signs of emotional abuse in children

• * 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 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.

Warning signs of sexual abuse in children

• * Trouble walking or sitting.
• * Displays knowledge or interest in sexual acts inappropriate to his or her 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.
• * Runs away from home.

Health-related consequences of child sexual violence

Sexual violence has a profound impact on the physical, mental and social well being of victims. Apart from physical injuries such as bruises and welts, burns and scalds, lacerations and fractures, child maltreatment is associated with a number of other indications and negative health consequences, including:

• * Psychological stress—bed-wetting, depression and anxiety, feeling dirty/damaged, posttraumatic stress disorder, suicidal thoughts/behaviour, and behavioural outcomes such as negative self-esteem, fear, anxiety, depression, suicidal behaviour, self-harm and psychosomatic complaints.
• * Delinquent, violent and other risk-taking behaviours.
• * Alcohol and drug abuse.
• * Eating and sleep disorders.
• * Gynaecological complications such as vaginal bleeding, chronic pelvic pain and urinary tract infections.
• * Reproductive health problems including unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, infections such as HIV/AIDS and Sexually ransmitted Infections (STIs).
• * Foeticide, infanticide, sub-fertility.

Risk factors for child abuse and neglect

While child abuse and neglect occurs in all types of families—even in those that look happy from the outside—children are at a much greater risk in certain situations.

• Domestic violence. Witnessing domestic violence is terrifying to children and emotionally abusive. Even if the mother does her best to protect her children and keeps them from being physically abused, the situation is still extremely damaging. If you or a loved one is in an abusive relationships, getting out is the best thing for protecting the children.
• Alcohol and drug abuse. Living with an alcoholic or addict is very difficult for children and can easily lead to abuse and neglect. Parents who are drunk or high are unable to care for their children, make good parenting decisions, and control often-dangerous impulses. Substance abuse also commonly leads to physical abuse.
• Untreated mental illness. Parents who suffering from depression, an anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, or another mental illness have trouble taking care of themselves, much less their children. A mentally ill or traumatized parent may be distant and withdrawn from his or her children, or quick to anger without understanding why. Treatment for the caregiver means better care for the children.
• Lack of parenting skills. Some caregivers never learned the skills necessary for good parenting. Teen parents, for example, might have unrealistic expectations about how much care babies and small children need. Or parents who where themselves victims of child abuse may only know how to raise their children the way they were raised. In such cases, parenting classes, therapy, and caregiver support groups are great resources for learning better parenting skills.
• Stress and lack of support. Parenting can be a very time-intensive, difficult job, especially if you’re raising children without support from family, friends, or the community or you’re dealing with relationship problems or financial difficulties. Caring for a child with a disability, special needs, or difficult behaviors is also a challenge. It’s important to get the support you need, so you are emotionally and physically able to support your child.

For additional information, please contact:

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
3615 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
Phone: (202) 966-7300
Fax:  (202) 966-2891
www.aacap.org

Childhelp
15757 North 58th Street
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
Phone: (480) 922-8212
Fax: (480) 922-7061
TDD: (800) 222-4453
Toll Free: (800) 422-4453
www.childhelp.org

Child Welfare Information Gateway
Children’s Bureau/ACYF
1250 Maryland Avenue, SW
Eighth Floor
Washington, DC 20024
(703) 385-7565
(800) 394-3366
www.childwelfare.gov

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
Charles B. Wang International Children’s Building
699 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 274-3900
Fax: (703) 274-2200
Toll-Free: (800)-843-5678
www.missingkids.com

National Center for Victims of Crime
2000 M Street NW, Suite 480
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 467-8700
Our helpline is staffed Monday through Friday 8:30am to 8:30pm EST:
Toll-free Helpline: 1-800-FYI-CALL (1-800-394-2255)
Fax: (202) 467-8701
TTY/TDD: 1-800-211-7996
Email: gethelp@NCVC.org
www.ncvc.org

National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC)
Administrative Offices
210 Pratt Avenue
Huntsville, Alabama 35801
Phone: (256) 533-5437
Fax: (256) 534-6883
www.nationalcac.org

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
2000 L Street, NW
Suite 406
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 544-1034
Fax:  (202) 544-3556
Toll-Free:  (800) 656-HOPE (4673)
www.rainn.org