Being Familiar with signs of Child Abuse and Knowing Procedures to

Address it

Brittany Black

Did you know.?

Every year there are more than 3 million reports of child abuse in the United
States involving 6 million children.
There are reports of child abuse made every 10 seconds.
Child abuse can occur physically, emotionally, and sexualy.
Children who are exposed to child abuse are more likely to harm their
intimate partner, abuse alcohol and alcoholism, they are more likely to illicitly
abuse drugs, they smoke and drink at an early age, and lastly they are more
likely to be depressed or to attempt suicide.
80% of 21 year olds who reported child abuse met criteria for at least one
psychological disorder.

What is Physical or Sexual Child Abuse?

The two most commonly known types of child abuse are physical and
sexual child abuse. Physical child abuse is non-accidental physical injury
caused by punching, beating, kicking, biting, burning etc. a child.
Physical child abuse is the most visible form of abuse.
Sexual child abuse is ANY sexual touching between an adult and a child.
Sexual abuse can occur between children with a significant age
difference (3 or more years older). Sexual abuse isnt limited to just
touching, penetration, force, or pain it includes an adult engaging in ANY
sexual behavior such as looking, showing, or touching with a child to
meet an adults sexual needs. This includes the manufacturing, viewing,
or distribution of child pornography.

What are the Signs of Child Abuse??

Signs of Physical or Sexual Child Abuse:

Behavior problems such as fear, anxiety, not wanting to go home, depression,

withdrawal, or appearing afraid of certain individuals.
Increased sexualized behavior or use of sexual language thats inappropriate for the
childs age.
Changes in sleeping patterns, difficulty falling asleep, and frequent nightmares. Child
may look tired or fatigued.
Changes in school attendance and performance: unable to concentrate in class, frequent
absences.
Eating habits that lead to extreme weight loss or gain
Use of drugs and alcohol.
Visible unexplained injuries: burns, bruises, or broken bones.
Trouble walking or sitting.
Blood in the childs underwear.

What is Emotional Child Abuse?

We all hear about physical and sexual child abuse, but what is emotional child
abuse? Emotional child abuse is the continual ignoring, rejecting, isolating,
exploiting or corrupting, verbally assaulting, terrorizing, and neglecting the child.
Signs of emotional abuse include:

withdrawal from friends or activities

changes in behavior or school performance
depression, anxiety, or loss of self-confidence
lack of supervision
reluctance to leave school
attempts at running away
rebellious behavior.

More Signs of Emotional Abuse:

delayed or inappropriate emotional development

headaches or stomachaches with no medical causes
desperately seeks attention

Signs of Neglect include:

poor growth, weight gain, or hygiene

lack of clothing or supplies to meet needs
taking food for later or taking money without permission
poor school attendance
emotional mood swings that are inappropriate to the situation
indifference.

Knowing how to Report Child Abuse

By law, if a child tells you they are being abused physically , emotionally,
or sexually you MUST report it. To report child abuse call your local
social security agency. The social security agency in Wilson is located on
1911 Westwood Ave. Office hours include 9-4 Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday, and Friday and on Wednesday they are open from 9-12. The
Wilson Social Security Office is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
The number to the Social Security office is 1-866-366-5804
TTY: 252-291-5549

works cited
https://www.childhelp.org/child-abuse-statistics/
http://www.americanhumane.org/children/stop-child-abuse/fact-sheets/emotional-abuse.html?
referrer=https://www.google.com/
http://www.safehorizon.org/page/signs-of-child-abuse-58.html
http://www.americanhumane.org/children/stop-child-abuse/fact-sheets/emotional-abuse.html?
referrer=https://www.google.com/
http://socialsecurityhop.com/offices/social-security-office-wilson-nc-27896-north-carolina