Child Abuse

Child abuse is the physical or psychological maltreatment of a child by an adult, often synonymous with the term child maltreatment or the term child abuse and neglect.

There are many forms of abuse and neglect and many governments have developed their own legal definition of what constitutes child maltreatment for the purposes of removing a child and/or prosecuting a criminal charge. In the United States, the Federal Government puts out a full definition of child abuse and neglect and creates a summary of each State definition. To view, go to Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect: Summary of State Laws that is part of the 2005 State Statute series by the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information.

Effects of child abuse on the child and development
The U.S. National Adoption Center found that 52% of adoptable children (meaning those children in U.S. foster care freed for adoption) had symptoms of attachment disorder. A study by Dante Cicchetti found that 80% of abused and maltread infants exhibited attachment disorder symtoms (disorganized subtype).

Children with histories of maltreatment, such as physical and psychological neglect, physical abuse, and sexual abuse, are at risk of developing severe psychiatric problems. These children are likely to develop Reactive attachment disorder. These children may be described as experiencing trauma-attachment problems. The trauma experienced is the result of abuse or neglect, inflicted by a primary caregiver, which disrupts the normal development of secure attachment. Such children are at risk of developing a disorganized attachment. Disorganized attachment is associated with a number of developmental problems, including dissociative symptoms, as well as depressive, anxiety, and acting-out symptoms.

Causes
Circumstances that place families under extraordinary stress - for instance, poverty, divorce, sickness, disability, lack of parental skills - sometimes take their toll in child maltreatment. Many of these factors may contribute to family stress that can result in child abuse or neglect. Understanding the root causes of abuse can help better determine the best methods of prevention and treatment. Most parents don't hurt or neglect their children intentionally. Many were themselves abused or neglected. Parents who abuse alcohol or other drugs are more likely to abuse or neglect their children.

Prevention
Given these possible causes, most professionals agree that there are three levels of prevention services; primary prevention, secondary prevention, and tertiary prevention.

Primary Prevention
Primary prevention consists of activities that are targeted toward the community at large. These activities are meant to impact families prior to any allegations of abuse and neglect. Primary prevention services include public education activities, parent education classes that are open to anyone in the community, and family support programs. Primary prevention can be difficult to measure because you are attempting to impact something before it happens, an unknown variable.

Secondary Prevention
Secondary prevention consists of activities targeted to families that have one or more risk factors including families with substance abuse, teen parents, parents of special need children, single parents, and low income families. Secondary prevention services include parent education classes targeted for high risk parents, respite care for parents of a child with a disability, or home visiting programs for new parents.

Tertiary Prevention
Tertiary prevention consists of activities targeted to families that have confirmed or unconfirmed child abuse and neglect reports. These families have already demonstrated the need for intervention, either with or without court supervision.

Treatment
Treatment for those experiencing Complex post-traumatic stress disorder, which is caused by early chronic maltreatment, should address each dimension. Often treatment must be multi-modal. Children who have experienced complex trauma caused by chronic maltreatment can be treated effectively with Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy . In addition Cognitive Behavioral Therapy interventions, education, EMDR and other approaches can be effectively used.

Childhelp USA
Founded in 1959 by Sara O'Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, Childhelp USA is one of the largest and oldest national nonprofit organizations dedicated to the prevention of child abuse, neglect as well as to the treatment of its victims in the United States. Childhelp's programs, which directly serve abused children and their families, focus on meeting the children's physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs. In 2005, Sara and Yvonne were both nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize!

Prevent Child Abuse America(PCA America)
Established in 1972, Prevent Child Abuse America works to bring awareness to and educate the public about child abuse and neglect. PCA America works on the National, State and Local levels with chapters in 40 States which work alongside the local councils in each State. The mission statement of PCA America is: "To prevent the abuse and neglect of our nation's children."

Authorities
Depending on the country, the agencies responsible for investigating child abuse may be run nationally, regionally, or locally. These agencies may be called Child Protective Services (CPS), Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), or by other similar names. In the U.S., these agencies are usually listed in the state government section of the telephone book under "Children" or "Health" or "Human Services". In a few instances in the U.S., some of the functions of these agencies are outsourced to private individuals or companies.

People who investigate claims of child abuse may be called a "children's social worker" (CSW) or a case worker.

Reporting abuse and neglect in Australia
Child abuse and neglect is the subject of mandatory reporting in most Australian jurisdictions. Usually professional people such as doctors, nurses and teachers are bound to report strong evidence of abuse or neglect. State authorities, such as the Child Protection Unit of the Department of Human Services (Victoria), have statutory authority to investigate and deal with child abuse.

Reporting abuse and neglect in United Kingdom
Childline is a telephone contact agency provided for children to discuss any concerns they have with a team of trained volunteers.

NSPCC is the umbrella organisation now funding this project. The NSPCC also provides a telephone helpline for anyone to contact professionally trained social workers regarding concerns about children, as well as a variety of other projects.

The NSPCC forward any concerns they receive on to the relevant Local Authority (where the child concerned lives) which would then make enquiries regarding those concerns.

Reporting abuse and neglect in Canada
The Childrens' Help Line can be reached toll-free for either parents with questions and concerns, or children, at +1-(800)-668-6868, 24/7.

Notable incidents of child abuse

 * The death of Marcela Hope Yellowbear
 * The death of Elisa Izquierdo
 * The death of Nixzmary Brown
 * The death of Joseph Wallace
 * The death of Nadine Lockwood
 * The Joel Steinberg Case
 * The death of Dennis Jurgens
 * The Tulasa Thapa Case
 * The death of Justina Morales
 * The death of Candace Newmaker
 * The David Pelzer Case
 * The death of Jeffrey Baldwin
 * The murder of Matthew Eappen by Louise Woodward
 * The death of Victoria Climbie
 * The deaths of Suesan and Sheila Knorr by their mother Theresa Knorr ISBN 0312955421
 * The case of Raymond and Vanessa Jackson