GIRLIE FAITH M.

BROZAS
MAED Guidance I
DR. JOSEPHINE TAN
Educ 841 Problems in Guidance

“Child Physical Abuse Fact Sheet” Article Analysis

I have already read a couple of articles concerning the impacts of physical abuse on
children, but this article published by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network is the
most compact. Not that this only tackled about the “impact” itself but definitely the basic
things one should know about the effects of physical abuse on children such as the definition
of physical abuse, who are physically abused, how one can tell if one is being or has been
physically abused, why children do not tell about physical abuse, the consequences of
physical abuse for families particularly the children and the parents, making it a very
informative and handy article. I recommend this to those who need this quick information.

Although, generally, physical abuse refers to hitting, shaking, choking, biting, kicking
or any act that may cause physical, emotional, or social impact on children, the definition of
physical abuse in this article is limited only to physical. It only mentioned that the definition
of physical abuse depends on the state where the abuse happened. This is perhaps in relation
to the application of law on child abuse.

Furthermore, this article also serves as an eye opener and gives confidence to those
who are physically abused that they are not alone in this battle. Under the discussion as to
who are physically abused, this article emphasized that regardless of age, race, ethnicity, and
socioeconomic backgrounds, one is at risk for physical abuse. And according to study, as this
article has mentioned, Children ages 4–7 and 12–15 are at the greatest risk of being
physically abused. Very young children are most susceptible to receiving serious injuries.

There might be a number of evidences of physical injury but according to this article,
which is true, the best way to know if one is a victim of it is if the child tells you.
Nevertheless, there may also be physical signs such as welts and bruises in various stages of
healing, fingernail marks, human bite marks, burns, lacerations, abrasions in the pattern of an
instrument, and missing, loose, or broken teeth. It is very possible for a child to be physically
abused without anyone noticing if the child’s injuries are hidden by clothing.
 As already mentioned in the introduction, this article is compact so much so that it
includes Myths and Facts making it even more helpful. One of the myths and facts included
here is that according to myth, it’s only physical abuse if you mean to hurt your child. But the
fact is that even accidental injuries of a child are considered physical abuse if the act that
injured the child was done intentionally as a form of punishment.

As cases of physical abuse are uncontrollably rising nowadays despite government

programs and laws, everyone, especially those who are closely working with these victims
should respond to it seriously. They should know more about it. Hence, they should read
articles like this.

https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources/child_physical_abuse_fact_sheet.pdf