Child Abuse

     Whether we realize it or not, our life is not far from the thing called abuse. Here, the case which is most prevalent today is child abuse. Child abuse has various forms. There are four types of child abuse and they are defined in the UK Government guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children 2010 (1.33 – 1.36) as follows: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, and neglect. But in some countries, some child abuse practices are also considered as a common legal action for some parents with the reason to discipline their child. Preventing child abuse is considered a high priority, and detailed laws and policies exist to address this issue because until nowadays, child has very few rights in case of protection from violence by their parents. Child abuse should be avoided in order to prevent child to the trauma both physically and psychologically.

     It has been argued that some child abuse practices are considered as a legal action. It’s okay to tweak, pinch, spanking, or paddling the children because that action are not considered as abuse as long as it’s reasonable and leave no scars. Sometimes we need to discipline child by this way, but remember that we have to do this with affection, not anger. The purpose of making child discipline is to educate child and avoid them from making the same mistake in another time. However, The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend spanking because it has several important side effects.

    However, child abuse cause physical trauma. Children who are physically abused can develop child traumatic stress. According Science Daily, in medicine, however, the words trauma patient usually refer to someone who has suffered serious and life-threatening physical injury potentially resulting in secondary complications such as shock, respiratory failure and death. Children who are physically abused are likely to receive bone fractures, particularly rib fractures, and may have a higher risk of developing cancer. In some cases the physical effects are temporary; however, the pain and suffering they cause a child should not be ignored. Based on NSPCC (2010) there are few signs of physical abuse, including bruising, cigarette burns, human bite marks, broken bones, scalds, etc.

     Once again, child abuse should be avoided and stopped, beside it causes physical trauma, it also causes psychological trauma. Wikipedia says that children who have a history of neglect or physical abuse are at risk of developing psychiatric problems, or a disorganized attachment style. Disorganized attachment is associated with a number of developmental problems, including dissociative symptoms, as well as anxiety, depressive, and acting out symptoms. Of course, it will influence child’s emotional construction and behaviour. According to http://www.childhelp.org, some examples of this abuse are bullying or humiliation, rejecting, ignoring, terrorizing, isolating, and corrupting to the child.

     Andrew Vachss, a journalist from Parade Magazine said, “When it comes to damage, there is no real difference between physical, sexual and emotional abuse. All that distinguishes one from the other is the abuser’s choice of weapons.” (Vachss) In conclusion, child abuse brings bad impact to the child, so we have to stop it now, because every scars that they have (physically or mentally) can bring children’s trauma that can affect them either physically or mentally, and it also affects them as adult in the future. The best way to nurture children isn’t by violence or punishment, but by love and affection. Hopefully, we can be more sensitive and aware about this issue. We have to avoid bringing up children to violence and immediately report to the police or national commission of children and women protection if we find a case of child abuse. Better life, better future. Stop Child Abuse!

Work Cited:

"Child Abuse." Wikipedia n.p, 19 Nov 2013. Web. 18 Nov 2013.

"Child Abuse Definitions." Child Help, n.p, n.d. PDF File.

"Child Protection Fact Sheet: The Definitions and Signs of Child Abuse." NSPCC n.p, June 2010. PDF File.

Jensen, Jill, and Mr. Pitcher. "Child Abuse... Can't be Ignored!" Wikispaces, 14 March 2010. Web. 18 Nov 2013.

“Physical Abuse.” NCTSN, n.p, n.d. Web. 5 Dec 2013.

“Physical Trauma.” ScienceDaily¸ n.p, n.d. Web. 5 Dec 2013.

Smith, Melinda, and Jeanne Segal. "Child Abuse & Neglect Recognizing, Preventing, and Reporting Child Abuse." HELPGUIDE.ORG, August 2013. Web. 3 December 2013.

"What is Child Abuse and Neglect? Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms." Child Welfare Information Gateway, n.p, July 2013. PDF File.