Understanding

12345678901234567
12345678901234567
Abuse CHILD ABUSE
AND NEGLECT

12345678901234567 Among today’s saddest news reports are Abusers of children can be parents, siblings,
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 those about the battering and neglect of friends, relatives, or adults who work with
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 children. Nationally, about two million cases children. People who abuse children come from all
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 of child abuse are reported annually, with economic levels and backgrounds. Often they may
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 perhaps twice as many going unreported. have unrealistic expectations of children and may
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 Each year an estimated 2,000 children die not understand normal child development.
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 from abuse inflicted by parents or adult care- Special-needs children are especially vulnerable
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 givers. In Iowa, 20,866 cases of child abuse since they place extra demands on parents and
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 were reported during 1993, and 6,386 cases caregivers. Stress and frequent crises contribute to
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 of abuse were found to have occurred. the potential for abuse. Adults with marital,
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 financial, or other problems are less patient with
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 We all bear the social and financial aftermath of
12345678901234567 children and may turn their frustration against the
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 this abuse. Child abuse can occur in all families
12345678901234567 children. Substance abuse and domestic violence
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 and communities. Fortunately, there are now
12345678901234567 often are intertwined in the child abuse cycle.
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 many successful prevention and treatment
12345678901234567 We need to understand that people who abuse
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 programs. Working together, we can help break
12345678901234567 children usually do not dislike children. In fact,
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 this tragic cycle of abuse and neglect.
12345678901234567 abusers often have genuine love and concern for
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 their children. They simply get caught up in a
12345678901234567 Child abuse and neglect:
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 cycle of frustration and violence and do not know
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 What are they? how to change their behavior. Both the abuser and
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 Child abuse can be physical, such as when a the abused child need help. With education and
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 child is injured on purpose or mistreated sexually. compassion, we can guide them toward healthier
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 Emotional abuse includes placing excessive or patterns of living and learning.
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 unrealistic demands on a child. Verbal abuse
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 includes name calling, unnecessary criticism and
12345678901234567 Reporting child abuse and neglect
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 excessive yelling—all of which damage a child’s
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 self-esteem. Physical and emotional bullying by Children rely on adults to report suspected
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 other children also can be abusive. Child neglect abuse. Child victims may be afraid to tell someone
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 includes failing to provide a child with food, they are being abused. Many children mistakenly
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 shelter, supervision, education or medical care. believe they deserve the abuse. If a child tells you
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 about abuse, pay attention.
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
Who mistreats children Child abuse is against the law. Every state has
12345678901234567 Most people believe that individuals who were mandatory reporting laws. The earlier you identify
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 abused as children grow up to be abusive parents. a problem, the better. If you know of or suspect child
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 However, recent research suggests that only 20 to abuse or neglect, you have a social and legal
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 30 percent of abuse victims actually abuse their responsibility to report it to your local child protection
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 own children. agency. Phone numbers are listed on the back of
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 When abuse is less severe, occurs before this sheet. Remember that a person who in good
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 adolescence, and happens over a short period of faith reports a suspected case of child abuse has
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 time, the victims are much less likely to become legal immunity from liability. The source of child
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 abusive parents. Also when only one parent has abuse information is kept confidential, if at all
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 abused the child and when the other parent
12345678901234567 possible.
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 provides a supportive relationship, the child is
12345678901234567 If you report suspected abuse, you do not need
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 less likely to abuse as an adult.
12345678901234567 to prove that it occurred. A report is a request for
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 an investigation. Child protection workers are
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 trained to assess family situations, identify
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 problems, and ensure children’s safety.
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 Pm-1478-2 | Revised | February 1995
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 Indicators of child abuse 2. Look around you. Learn the indicators of
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 abuse and neglect. Be aware of what is going
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 and neglect on around you. Report abuse if you suspect it.
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 There are various characteristics that suggest
12345678901234567 If a friend needs help with the stress of
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 child abuse and neglect. While these signs may
12345678901234567 parenting, reach out.
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 indicate other problems, they can help you
12345678901234567 3. Nurture and encourage children. Express your
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 determine if abuse or neglect is occurring.
12345678901234567 love and appreciation. Don't be too busy to
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 Child-related signs of possible abuse or neglect: give the special children in your life a hug and
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Suspicious burns, bruises, injuries a smile. A few words of encouragement and
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Often tired, hungry, or not clean some moments of undivided attention make a
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Needs glasses or dental/medical care big difference.
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Extreme aggression and/or passivity 4. Get involved. Start a parent support group in
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Lags in development your neighborhood. Request speakers on
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Afraid of parents or adults parenting for school or church meetings.
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Unpleasant, demanding Volunteer your time or contribute financially.
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Often does not obey Support your friends and family members.
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Mood swings Prevention begins right in your own home and
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Unusually shy, avoids other children and adults neighborhood.
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Avoids physical contact
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 Resources
12345678901234567 • Apt to seek affection from any adult
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Reports being hurt or abused Parents Anonymous (PA) is a self-help program
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Unusual sexual awareness or behavior designed to help parents prevent damaging rela-
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 tionships between themselves and their children.
12345678901234567 Parent or caregiver signs of possible abuse:
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 It is the largest national child abuse prevention
12345678901234567 • Misuses alcohol or other drugs
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 and treatment program. PA offers a variety of re-
12345678901234567 • Disorganized, upset home life
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 sources. To find out about PA in your state, call the
12345678901234567 • Does not seem to care what happens
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 national office in Los Angeles, CA, 1-800-421-0353.
12345678901234567 • Isolated, doesn't seem to get along with others
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Uses inappropriate, harsh discipline
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Seems unconcerned about child
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Sees child as very bad or evil To report child abuse
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 In Iowa call .................................1-800-362-2178
12345678901234567 • Gives questionable explanation of child’s injury
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 In the Des Moines area call .......1-800-652-9516
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 The best approach: prevention
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 The effects of child abuse and neglect are far- Adapted for use in Iowa by Lesia Oesterreich, Extension Human
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 Development and Family Studies Specialist, and Karen Shirer,
12345678901234567 reaching and long-lasting. Children suffer emotional
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 Extension Assistant Director to Families, from materials prepared for
12345678901234567 and physical damage from abuse throughout their
12345678901234567 the University of Kentucky Extension Service by Lisa Carpenter Smith,
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 lives. Some children die. About 20 percent of those former Educational Programs Director, Lexington Child Abuse Council;
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 Sheila Brown, UK Graduate Student; and Sam Quick, Human
12345678901234567 abused grow up to become abusive adults. Society
12345678901234567 Development and Family Relations Specialist. (1991, FSES-S)
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 pays the price in violence, legal fees, lost creativity,
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 and social service programs.
12345678901234567 A Project of Iowa State University Extension
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 Prevention programs work and cost far less
12345678901234567 May be reproduced for nonprofit purposes.
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 than the social and economic price we pay once
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 abuse occurs. Successful programs include:
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Prenatal support and education
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Parent education
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Accessible, quality childcare
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Early health care and developmental screening
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Stress management and impulse control
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Self-help groups, parent support groups
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Home health visitors and foster grandparents
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 • Church, neighborhood, and community programs
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 What you can do
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 There are many ways to become actively
12345678901234567 File: Family Life 3
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 involved in the prevention of child abuse.
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 . . . and justice for all
12345678901234567 1. Take a look at yourself. If you are a parent or a
12345678901234567 The Iowa Cooperative Extension Service's programs are consistent with pertinent
12345678901234567 federal and state laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, color,
12345678901234567 child caregiver, reach out for help if you feel
12345678901234567 national origin, religion, sex, age and disability.
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 overwhelmed. Educate yourself about parent-
12345678901234567 Cooperative Extension Service, Iowa State University of Science and Technology,
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 hood. It's one of the most important roles you and the United States Department of Agriculture cooperating. Robert M. Anderson
12345678901234567 Jr., director, Ames, Iowa. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8
12345678901234567
12345678901234567 will ever play. and June 30, 1914.