Child Abuse and Neglect

In the United States child abuse and neglect continues to be an ever-increasing and serious problem. Each year hundreds of cases are reported. Neglect and abuse can have a damaging effect on the ability of a child to develop adaptively in the area of social interactions, family relationships, academic performance, and psychological functioning. An abused or neglected child is vulnerable to certain developmental delays, such as social skill deficits. As a society, by having a better understanding of the extent and nature of neglect and abuse, only than can society prevent or help a child in need. This paper will focus the definition of child abuse and neglect and, factors associated with child abuse, such as demographic factors. In addition, this paper will attempt to explain the different types of abuse and neglect, along with the effects associated with the abuse and what warning signs to watch out for.

Child Abuse and Neglect

According to the Federal Child Abuse Prevention Act, "child abuse is any act or failure to act by any person that results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation of a child" (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2011, p. 1). The terminology "child abuse" refers to the mistreatment, neglect, or violence that a child may experience when in the care of someone hoe or she depends in, trusts, and many times loves, such as a parent, relative, caregiver, or sibling. The abuse may take place at any time or place, including in the child's home, day care, or school. A child may be subjected to many forms of abuse throughout his or her lifetime, and many times the abuse is repeated on a continual bases.

Types of Child Abuse and Neglect

There are four different types of abuse physical, sexual, emotional or psychological, and neglect (Lueder, 2012). Physical abuse is any type of injury resulting from the physical aggression of another. Even if the injury is not intentional, the act is still considered physical abuse. An injury may result from being slapped, hit, beat, pushed, licked, thrown, pinched, choked, burned, pushed, or shaken is considered physical abuse. Sexual abuse is any sexual act between a child and an adult, including oral sex, intercourse, rape, penetration, incest, and sodomy. Sexual abuse is also a violation of a child's bodily privacy (Lueder, 2012). A sexual abuser could be anyone in a child's life ranging from his or her mother and father to clergy or teacher. Another form of abuse is emotional abuse is a failure to act, or a certain behavior, or attitude that interferes with a child's social or mental health development. Emotional abuse can range from a verbal insult to any extreme form of punishment. Emotional abuse can come bullies, social cliques, teachers, parents, and siblings. The last form of abuse is neglect. Neglect is a common type of child abuse with more children suffering from neglect than physical abuse. Neglect is a failure to provide for the basic needs of the child. Neglect that is usually repeated is a form of child abuse. There are three types of neglect; emotional, educational, and physical neglect. Physical is the failure to provide appropriate clothing, food, supervision, medical care, and a safe home. Educational is the failure to enroll a child into school and provide special education if necessary. Emotional is the failure to provide affection, love, and support.

Warnings Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect

Physical abuse may be the most visible of all the different types of abuse causing bruising and broken bones. Other types of abuse, such as child neglect or emotional abuse can leave deep, long lasting scars. The signs of abuse can be subtler than others (Berk, 2010). The signs of physical abuse include but are not limited to burns, cuts, bite marks, welts or bruises in the shape of an object, fear of adults, and a resistance to going home. Signs of sexual abuse involve inappropriate knowledge or interest in sexual acts, fear of a particular individual, excessive aggression, over compliance, and seductiveness. In regard to emotional abuse,