What is Child Abuse ?
Child abuse or child maltreatment is physical, sexual, and/or psychological maltreatment or neglect of a child or children, especially by a parent or a caregiver. Child abuse may include any act or failure to act by a parent or a caregiver that results in actual or potential harm to a child, and can occur in a child's home, or in the organizations, schools or communities the child interacts with.
Types of Child Abuse
- Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse happens when people consistently say things and behave in a way that conveys to the child that they are inadequate, unloved, worthless, or only valued as far as the other person’s needs are concerned.
- Physical Abuse
This involves physical harm or injury to the child. It may be the result of a deliberate attempt to hurt the child or excessive physical punishment.
- Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is defined as any act that forces or entices a child or young person to participate in sexual activities. It is sexual abuse, even if the child does not understand what is happening and there is no force, violence, or even contact.
- Neglect
A very common type of child abuse is a pattern of falling to provide for a child's basic needs, which include adequate food, clothing, hygiene or supervision.
Symptoms
- unexplained changes in behavior or personality
- becoming withdrawn
- seeming anxious
- becoming uncharacteristically aggressive
- lacks social skills and has few friends, if any
- poor bond or relationship with a parent
- knowledge of adult issues inappropriate for their age
- running away or going missing
- always choosing to wear clothes which cover their body.
Some Facts on Child Abuse
- Major abuse reported between the age group of 5 to 11 years
- Boys, as compared to girls are equally at risk of abuse
- Persons in trust and authority are major abusers, mostly parents
- 48.4% girls wished they were boys
- Most children reported the issue to no one
- 76% of child abuse perpetrators are a parent to their victim
- It’s estimated that at least 1 in 7 children in the India has experienced child abuse and/or neglect in the past year
Prevention
You can take important steps to protect your child from exploitation and child abuse, as well as prevent child abuse in your neighborhood or community. The goal is to provide safe, stable, nurturing relationships for children. For example:
- Offer your child love and attention
- Don't respond in anger
- Think supervision
- Know your child's caregivers
- Emphasize when to say no
- Teach your child how to stay safe online
- Reach out
