Child Abuse
Child abuse is the mistreatment of infants, children, and adolescents by their parents or other caretakers. Countless numbers of children are abused around the world every day. It is estimated that in the united states, one in every 100 children is abused or neglected, and that 2000 of these children die each year. Children of any age can be victims of child abuse.
Cases of child abuse often go unreported. Sometimes abused children say nothing because they feel that they are going to cause problems in the family and they deserve to be punished. Other children feel they should suffer in silence, to get their parents’ love. But child abuse is not the fault of the child, nor does the child deserve punishment. Recently enormous interest in preventing child abuse has developed, and more cases are being reported. There are many sources of helpThere are many causes of child abuse. Many child abusers were also victims of abuse. Mental illness is another common factor, with many abusers having personality disorders or other severe forms of mental illness. Psychosocial factors also play a role. Parental choices and other unforeseen circumstances that place families under extraordinary stress ― for instance, poverty, divorce, sickness, disability, lack of parental skills and drugs -- are often associated with child maltreatment. Many of these factors may contribute to family stress that can result in child abuse or neglect. Understanding the root causes of abuse can help better determine the best methods of prevention and treatment for abused children.
There are many studies that demonstrate the negative psychological impact develop in an adult that was abused as a child that has not been treated to be cured from that experience, for example: drugs, promiscuity, depression, becoming an abuser, poor self-esteem, anxiety, etc. Many women and men who have been abused physically or sexually during childhood suffer from long-term disturbances. They have...