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What is child abuse?
Child abuse is when a child is harmed by someone else, most often by a parent or
relative. Child abuse can be:
- Physical - such as slapping, pushing, punching, kicking, shaking, or
burning
- Emotional - such as insults, constant criticism, harsh demands, threats, and
yelling
- Sexual - such as rape, incest, fondling, and indecent exposure
What is incest?
Incest is any sex act, from fondling to intercourse, that takes place between family
members who are not married.
What are the signs of child abuse?
Abused or neglected children may:
- Seem different from other children (parents may describe them as "bad")
- Be withdrawn
- Be unusually passive or aggressive
- Seem fearful of one or both parents
- Always look unclean
- Often be absent from school
- Have bruises, welts, or sores, or other skin problems that don't seem to heal
- Shy away from physical contact with other adults
- Cry often or at times that seem inappropriate
- Have problems learning and paying attention
- Be super-achievers
- Act out sexually in inappropriate ways
How does sexual abuse affect the child?
Abuse affects the child in profound ways. The following characteristics have been noted in
children who have been sexually abused:
- Severe changes in behavior
- Recurring nightmares
- Inability to trust others
- Lack of emotional development
- Return to childish behaviors such as thumb sucking and bed wetting
- Difficulty learning and concentrating
- Sexual problems, including the inability to understand the difference between love and
sex
- Anxiety and depression
- Self-destructive behavior
- Lack of self-esteem
- Lack of social skills
Adult survivors of child abuse are more likely to:
- Suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Have medical problems
- Engage in dangerous sexual behavior
- Abuse drugs and alcohol
- Suffer from depression
- Have low self-esteem
- Care for others at the expense of their own well-being
- Abuse others
- Accept abuse
Why do parents abuse their children?
Many parents who abuse children grew up in an abusive home or were abused as children. A
mother who was abused as a child may look the other way when child abuse takes place in
her own home.
Some abusive parents struggle with overwhelming feelings of anger when unable to cope with problems
such as family, bills, relationships, and other matters. They
may see the child as the source of their problems.
The reasons for child abuse are complex and vary with each individual. Most
survivors of child abuse do not abuse their children or continue to suffer from the
aftermath of their own upbringing.
If you have abused or neglected your child, or fear that you may abuse your child, you
can seek help from a local mental health agency.
How can I stop child abuse?
Don't let fear or embarrassment prevent you from seeking help. An estimated 30 percent of
all children over 18 years of age have been abused.
If you want to report an incident of child abuse, contact your local department of
human services. A social worker will take a report over the telephone and investigate the
situation. Your name will not be released to the family.
Where can I get help?
National Child Abuse Hotline
1 (800) 4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453)
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