Child abuse as defined by the National Centre on Child Abuse and Neglect
(2014) is a situation when a
parent or caregiver, whether through action or failing to act, causes injury,
death, emotional harm or risk of serious harm to a child. There are many forms of child abuse, including neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse,
exploitation, and emotional abuse. Child
abuse is linked in a number of important ways that have serious consequences
for the safety of all family members as well as for members of the larger
community.
(2014) is a situation when a
parent or caregiver, whether through action or failing to act, causes injury,
death, emotional harm or risk of serious harm to a child. There are many forms of child abuse, including neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse,
exploitation, and emotional abuse. Child
abuse is linked in a number of important ways that have serious consequences
for the safety of all family members as well as for members of the larger
community.
Schechter and Edleson
(2009) stated that child abuse irrespective of the form appears to contribute
to youth violence. In buttressing their assertion, they when further to state
that many of the factors highly associated with the occurrence of child abuse
are also associated with domestic violence, and many of these are the same
factors that put children at risk for youth violence and adult violent crime.
(2009) stated that child abuse irrespective of the form appears to contribute
to youth violence. In buttressing their assertion, they when further to state
that many of the factors highly associated with the occurrence of child abuse
are also associated with domestic violence, and many of these are the same
factors that put children at risk for youth violence and adult violent crime.
Child abuse takes a devastating toll on children
and society at large. Early childhood abuse, either through direct abuse,
neglect, or witnessing parental domestic violence, has been shown to have
demonstrable long-term consequences for youth violence, adult violent behaviours,
and other forms of criminality (Widom,
2011).
and society at large. Early childhood abuse, either through direct abuse,
neglect, or witnessing parental domestic violence, has been shown to have
demonstrable long-term consequences for youth violence, adult violent behaviours,
and other forms of criminality (Widom,
2011).
Children of all ages are deeply affected by child
abuse may not develop the attachments to their parents or caretakers that are
critical to their development; in extreme cases they may suffer from
“failure to thrive.” Preschool children who face abuse homes may
regress developmentally and suffer sleep disturbances, including nightmares.
School-age children who witness abuse exhibit a range of problem behaviours
including depression, anxiety, and violence towards peers (McCurdy & Daro, 2007).
abuse may not develop the attachments to their parents or caretakers that are
critical to their development; in extreme cases they may suffer from
“failure to thrive.” Preschool children who face abuse homes may
regress developmentally and suffer sleep disturbances, including nightmares.
School-age children who witness abuse exhibit a range of problem behaviours
including depression, anxiety, and violence towards peers (McCurdy & Daro, 2007).
The impact of child abuse may continue through
adolescence and adulthood. Adolescents who have been abuse while young are at
risk for recreating the abusive relationships they have seen. They are more
likely to attempt suicide, abuse drugs and alcohol, run away from home, engage
in teenage prostitution and other delinquent behaviours, and commit sexual
assault crimes. A study conducted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention found that exposure to multiple forms of violence,
including domestic violence, child abuse, and general family climate of
hostility, doubles the risk of youth violence (Blumstein, 2010).
adolescence and adulthood. Adolescents who have been abuse while young are at
risk for recreating the abusive relationships they have seen. They are more
likely to attempt suicide, abuse drugs and alcohol, run away from home, engage
in teenage prostitution and other delinquent behaviours, and commit sexual
assault crimes. A study conducted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention found that exposure to multiple forms of violence,
including domestic violence, child abuse, and general family climate of
hostility, doubles the risk of youth violence (Blumstein, 2010).