Stop Child
Abuse
Hello, this is IGL and this post is about child abuse. Child
abuse has been a major conflict in the world for many years. It is when a child
is abused physically or emotionally under the age of eighteen by an adult. It
hurts the child and breaks trust from the child to others, maybe causing social
disabilities in the future. Child abuse doesn’t tend to happen in a certain
place. It could happen in any place, economy, race, or population. No matter
how much you apologize to that victim, it will never be the same. For example,
take a piece of paper and crumple it as hard as you can, no matter what. Then
apologize to it and smoothen it out thoroughly. Now observe. The paper will
never be the same, just like a child.
Physical
abuse is when a guardian/parent abuses the child with contact of their body. This
includes hitting, kicking, punching, slapping, whipping, and more. Many parents
believe physical abuse as a discipline is the best way to teach a child how to
behave. However, if continued on, the child will live in fear instead of
understanding the meaning of the “lecture”. Some parents instead physically
abuse their child out of anger or some unimportant reason.
Emotional
abuse is somewhat like bullying, but between a parent and a child. Putting down
a child is not okay, and certainly will break trust between a parent and the
child may dislike the adult. Limited affection and screaming/threatening will
hurt a child’s feelings.
Child
neglect is when a guardian/parent takes care of a child but does not meet their
needs. Failing to give the child food, shelter, clothing, education, or hygiene
is child neglect. If an incapable mother has a baby that she cannot take care
of, she should resort to giving it up for adoption (safe haven law). Substance
abuse or unstable ability is also counted as child neglect. A safe environment
is always needed for a child.
Child
sexual abuse is when a child has come into contact with an adult sexually. Usually,
it is a person the child knows, like a parent. Both boys and girls can be victims,
but males don’t usually report it because they have a feeling to be brave and
fearless. Never think that a child is joking about sexual abuse and call the
police.
There
are many signs that a child is being abused. For physical abuse, unusual
injuries, intense all the time, uneasy when people lightly touch them, or
wearing irregular clothing (like long pants on a hot day). For emotional abuse,
low self-esteem, extremely demanding or aggressive, irregular behavior, or a detachment
between a child and a parent are signs of emotional abuse. For child neglect,
inappropriate clothing for the weather, untreated illnesses, incomplete cleanliness,
or constant tardy are usual signs. For child sexual abuse, knowledge of sexual
behavior, trouble walking or sitting, doesn’t want to participate in activities,
avoiding a specific person, receiving an STD or getting pregnant before the age
of 13, and running away from home are constant signs of child sexual abuse.
Drug
and alcohol abuse, witnessing domestic violence, lack of support and parenting
skills, and if a parent has an untreated mental illness all are risk factors to
child abuse. If you know something about a child being abused call the police.
There
are many ways to stop child abuse. You could:
- Start a petition and get people to sign it.
- Spread awareness.
- If you currently are abusing a child, stop!
- Donate to organizations that help stop child abuse.
-Stop child abuse!
-Idea+Gift=Love IGL
