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Jessica Lopez

Ms. Guzman

AP English Literature, Period 1

27 September 2017

Child Abuse

Dear Ms. Guzman,

Child Abuse is a social issues we hear when it comes from news. These days we hear of

newborns to seventeen year old teenagers getting abused sexually, mentally, and physically by

their parents. It something that is horrible to happen. The problem of today is although we hear

of child abuse when where asked of it we do not really know how to describe it. Once in a while

people will say of it is just beating up the child that is all but that is not. Which then brings up the

following question, do we really know the abuse and neglection children get from their parents

and the ways to prevent it from happening?

The problem is that we only know to certain extents to what is child abuse and the things

it affects people the victims especially hard. We are taught that child abuse is something not

taken likely and not right to copy as we get older. But we do not get into the issue a lot close to

the point we know the signs of people suffering it. We never know if someone close to us could

be in that situation and we just passed by it. The only reason we passed by it was because we did

not know the signs and symptoms of a person who is being abused by their parents.

Child Abuse is an issue that interests me because it is wrong for children having to suffer

that way throughout their years which affect them psychologically. The way children are beaten

for the pleasure of the parent in liking it does not sound right. Also, hearing of a child being

touched by their family member is something inhumane not right. Hearing how parents abandon
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their children, telling them things that affect them mentally is sad. It is an important matter to me

because the act of a parent abusing and neglecting their child is wrong and hurtful. Another

reason why it is important for me is because it could be that the people around that I know could

be in the same situation and I did not know. I want to learn more of child abuse the signs in order

to help my fellow peers and friends.

The research that I have conducted is to inform people about child abuse, which is a

widespread and can occur in any cultural, ethnic, or income group. Child abuse can be physical,

emotional, verbal, or sexual. It can also result from neglect. Abuse can result in serious injury to

the child and possibly even death. There are four stages of being abused: physically, emotionally,

sexually, and neglected. According to “Child Help: The Issue of Child Abuse”, physical abuse is

when the child shows signs of bruising or non-accidental injury inflicted onto the child.

Emotional abuse is when a parent damages the child's mental and social development or cause

severe emotional harm. Which could end up the child having anxiety, a disorder, or depression.

Sexual Abuse is when a parent uses a child for sexual purposes or for their own satisfaction.

Child Neglect is the parent does not care about the child safety or give affection the child needs.

They ignore the child’s safe being and health being. These things can really affect the child

especially when they grow up cause they can end up just like their parent and either do it to their

own children or to others. The reason why people who grow up in a child abuse household have

an issue with physical touch or going near anyone which is sad.

My goal for this project is to find a way to educate and aware people on child abuse in

order to help prevent it from happening. I feel that people do not have that much knowledge on

the dangers and way how child abuse can affect a person even when growing up. For my action

plan I have an idea on what to do, for example, interviewing people who use to be abused or
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neglected and attending workshops and talking to sponsors. But other than that I am not exactly

sure what to do to bring awareness and the steps I need to take for this project.

Based on what I have researched on child abuse there are some questions I came upon I

was still wondering of. How many children die from being abused? How much of the majority of

the trials of child abuse those the parents be found guilty? Non-guilty? Do most or less children

who been through abuse get saved from their parents? How many children are abused and

neglected each year? What is considered child abuse in other states aside from United States?

By giving an approval towards this capstone, you will be helping me find a way to

prevent this problem from growing. I believe that children should not live in a household that

does not take good care of them but instead torture them and eventually kill them if wanted. That

they are able to get an education and succeed in life. I hope you consider approving this project.

Work Cited

“Child Abuse.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers,

www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/child-abuse. Accessed Sept. 2017.

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“Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect.” Joyfulheartfoundation.org, Joyful Heart Foundation,

www.joyfulheartfoundation.org/learn/child-abuse-neglect/effects-child-abuse-neglect.

Accessed 25 Sept. 2017.

“National Statistics on Child Abuse.” National Statistics on Child Abuse | National Children's

Alliance, www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/media-room/media-kit/national-statistics-

child-abuse. Accessed 25 Sept. 2017.

“What is Child Abuse.” Childhelp, www.childhelp.org/child-abuse/. Accessed Sept. 2017.