Child Abuse

Children all over the word are suffering from abuse. Nearly a million children are abused, and that’s just in the United States. Imagine how many of them suffer and can’t do anything about it. Child abuse should be more considered and taken care of, for the safety and happiness of children and families. It is very important to recognize and pay close attention to children who feel trapped, children who are afraid. This makes it difficult for them to speak up.

What is child abuse? Child abuse is when a parent or other adult causes serious physical, emotional harm to a child. There are different types of abuse that can cause serious cases, some even end in death. It is dejected to hear when a small child has been killed, because of shaking, dropping even throwing a child against hard surfaces. Some parents make an excuse that spanking their children is a family tradition, but in reality it is a mild punishment that is considered physical abuse. “According to Opposing Viewpoints on Child Abuse, Disciplinary spanking is not child abuse.” (Chigbo 191) Their reason for this is because it is harmless and it has declined over the years.

Physical abuse can be: holding a child under water, tying a child up, intentionally burning, throwing large object and starving an innocent child. A parent or adult who abuses a child physically can become violent if not stopped. That person might increase their anger and cause things to become worse. Sexual abuse is when a child is raped or forced to commit any sexual act. Sexual abuse includes making a child pose or perform pornographic pictures, telling a child dirty jokes, showing a child pornographic material, and showing one’s genitals to a child. Neglect is any action or inaction in which...

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...elves; they think that they will harm others by telling them what happened. It is unfortunate when a child does tell a parent what happens and it’s hard for the parent to believe them. The parent or guardian can’t accept the fact that it actually happened. They think they know the person who abused their child, so their mind is set “he/she wouldn't do that” and it's hard for them to actually give in and say “I believe you” for most parents. The mind is powerful and parents don't want to believe it, they are shocked and feel guilty. In reality it is neither the child’s fault, nor the parent or guardian, the abuser is the one who takes the whole fault.

To prevent a child from being abused, parents can start at an early age to educate their children. By teaching them what are and what aren’t appropriate ways or behaviors. Stay calm and don’t interrogate the child.