Micaela Marks

Mrs.Haskins

English 103 P.2

24 April 2017

He was someone who I loved and trusted. I was so close to him that I looked to him like

a father of mine. In reality, he was nothing more than a predator (Rogers). Each day a child is

sexually, physically, or mentally abused; most abuse is done by someone dear to the innocent

childs heart. Most people have encountered an abused child, some more than others. Around

half of the year children are in school, coming in contact with teachers and other school staff.

By educating middle school students and putting middle school staff through training the

problem of child abuse can be minimized.

Children spend a lot of their time at school, allowing educators to have more access to the kids

and to notice the indicators of an abused child. Several studies indicate that many educators are

not entirely clear what the indicators of child abuse and neglect are or how to report suspected

maltreatment (Crosson-Tower 3). School staff are unable to help the cause of stopping child

abuse as they are not trained to notice the signs of an abused child. In a survey done by Lauren

Dinehart and Kenny Maureen, more than half of the teachers surveyed were incorrect on the

biggest indicator of a child who may have been sexually abused (Journal of Research in

Childhood Education). Teachers know about child abuse, but need more advanced training to

make them qualified to detect signs of maltreatment.

Training middle school faculty would allow staff to know how to recognize and respond

to child neglect. Darkness to light provides online training for: Stewards of Children,

Recognizing & Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect, Commercial Sexual Exploitation of
Children, Bystanders Protecting Children from Boundary Violations & Sexual Abuse,Healthy

Touch for Children and Youth, and Talking with Children about Safety from Sexual Abuse. The

organization empowers adults through awareness and educational programs to prevent,

recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse (Darkness to Light). Staff can take all of

the classes on an online course for $22 per person, if bought in bulk. There are also facilitator led

class which occur at different times and locations and it costs $10 per person. Many say

training staff will cost a lot of money and many schools will not able to afford these prices; but

the end result of stopping a child from being harmed is worth way more than an online course.

When in a situation of recognizing a sign of abuse, some teachers are fearful of reporting the

situation. In a survey six providers reported that they failed to make a report even though they

thought a child may have been abused (Dinehart). If teachers were more comfortable on

recognize and responding they would have been more likely to report the issue. Training each

year for school staff will allow teachers to become more at ease with reporting suspicion of

maltreatment. Failed reports allow the children to continue to suffer from abuse and the long

term effects. Around one-third of abused and maltreated children go on to repeat the patterns of

abusive parenting towards their own children (CFCA). The cycle of abuse does not end, unless

someone steps in to stop it.

Educating middle school students will help them become aware of the issue and those

who have been abused feel comfortable to speak out. More than 74% of child abuse occurs from

the age of 0-12;during the years of an elementary and middle school student (NCA National

Statistics on Child Abuse). Middle school students should have knowledge on the serious issue to

help speak out against. In the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study in the United States, adults

with four or more adverse experiences in childhood were seven times more likely to consider
themselves an alcoholic, five times more likely to have used illicit drugs and ten times more

likely to have injected drugs compared to adults with no adverse experiences (CFCA). If middle

school students knew the severe effects, many may speak out about their own personal

experience or someone they know. Students should be education on the issues and its severe

effects it has on the rest of the victims life.

Studies show that teachers are ignorant to signs of abuse and how to respond to a abuse

scenario. Middle and Elementary school staffs need training in order to feel more comfortable

with the indicators of a maltreated child. Educators can make a huge impact on minimizing child

abuse across America.

Dinehart, Lauren, and Maureen Kenny. Journal of Research in Childhood Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 12
Apr. 2017.

"Education & Training." Darkness to Light. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.

"Effects of child abuse and neglect for adult survivors." Child Family Community Australia.
N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2017.
"National Statistics on Child Abuse." National Statistics on Child Abuse | National Children's
Alliance. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2017. <http://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/media-
room/media-kit/national-statistics-child-abuse>
Rogers, Kaeli. "She laughs at the time to come on WordPress.com." She laughs at the time to come.
N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2017.