How could anyone abuse a defenseless child? Most of us can’t imagine what would make anyone abuse a child and the worse the behavior is, the harder it is to imagine. Yet sadly, the number of child abuse cases is much higher than you may imagine. Child abuse crosses all social classes and ethnicities, and the abuse is overwhelmingly committed by someone who is supposed to be protecting the child, namely the parents or other childcare providers.

Child abuse can happen in several ways, but no matter what type of abuse it is, emotional, sexual or physical, the result is the same; either serious physical and/or emotional pain. Sexual or physical abuse is possibly the most noticeable type of abuse as they leave physical signs and evidence behind. But, emotional child abuse neglect is a serious form of abuse that may be more subtle, making it difficult to spot. Neglect is actually the most common form of abuse.

There are risk factors that may increase the chance of an adult abusing a child. This may include a history of child abuse, where the pattern that was learned during childhood is often the same one that is then perpetrated on a “next generation” child. Lack of support and stress are considered risk factors as parenting is a time intensive and sometimes difficult job. A parent raising children with no support from friends or family can be under a great deal of stress, which increases drastically if they are taking care of a child with mental health issues or special needs.

As well, the children of parents or caregivers who have drug and/or alcohol addictions are also at risk of being abused, since these substances can cause serious lapses in judgment. Since they hinder impulse control it makes physical and emotional abuse much more likely. Because of the impairment that is caused by intoxication, drug and alcohol abuse often results in child neglect. Statistics indicate that as many as 80% of young adults who were abused or neglected in childhood met the diagnostic criteria for at least one psychiatric disorder by the age of 21.

Another risk factor of child abuse is when a child witnesses domestic violence, and all associated problems in the home. While this is an example of emotional abuse, many times the violence will escalate into physical abuse to the child as well. All forms of abuse and neglect leave a child with both physical and emotional scars that harm their sense of self, as well as hampering the possibility of developing healthy adult relationships.

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1. Child Abuse And Neglect
2. Child Abuse And Neglect
3. Child Abuse And Neglect
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