Child Abuse: How to Prevent Abuse

By: Patricia Thomas RN

The statistics are an eye opener an estimated 906,000 children are victims of abuse and neglect every year. Child abuse can occur in many different ways, the results are till the same. Sexual and phyisical abuse are prominantly found since it leaves physical and mental evidence behind. However emotional and abuse and neglect is just as common. Anyone under the age of 18 who's been abused or neglected by someone responsible for his/her care not just parents are victims of child abuse.There several complicated risks factors:

1.) History of child abuse, a personal history a learnedpattern from childhood.

2.) A limited ability to deal with stressors such ascaring for a child with disabillilties, caregiver financial, poor socilization, and relationship stress.

3.) Alcohol and drug abuse serious lapses in judgment.

4.) Domestic violence,frequently performed in the house will escalate to physical violence against the child as well. Abuse occurs in all socioeconomic level, however in poverty -stricken families it can occurs up to 20-25 times more likely experiencing maltreatment, according to the NIS-3. The NIS-3 found that race doesn't play a role in cases of abuse and neglect.

What does abuse look like?

Physical findings of abuse may include bruises, bite marks, burns, fractures,abdominal injuries, and hair loss. Sexual abuse may include lacerations or bruising of the hymen of the vagina and/or the anus.

You may be reluctant to interfere in someone's family , but you can make a huge difference in a child's life if you report the abuse, the earlier reported abuse children get help, the greater chance they have to heal from their abuse and not perpetuate the cycle. You may feel overwhelmed. The best help you can provide is calm, unconditional support and reassurance. The child is looking to you to provide support and help -don't let him or her down.

The primary phase is getting the child and family some help, couseling, anger management and parent training of which can make a tremendous difference in the life of the child's family especially if you can stop the abuse early.

The secondary phase is child protective services, getting the child completely out of danger to stop the abuse early. Stop It Now 1-888- PREVENT (1-888-773-8368) Please inform all children if they don't have a friend or family to turn to they can call child abuse hotline 1-800-4-A-CHILD for help, themselves if they feel reluctant to consult with you.The tertiary phase would include education, not learned skills neccessary for good parenting, education can greatly help caregivers who need information on raising children. Children need education as well to help protect for abuse. They need to know that is never their fault and never ok.

References

Clark, M.J. (2008). Community Health Nursing: Caring for Populations. (5th Ed.).
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall

Note: This blog post reflects the work of Patricia Thomas RN with minor editing by Shirley Comer RN and was completed as a class assignment. The content of this blog is for informational purposes only. Before beginning or changing a treatment or lifestyle regime you should consult your primary health care provider.