|
Return to Main Menu
|
Child abuse prevention is your
business
by Gale
Horinbein, LISW-CP
Medical
Social Worker
Child abuse is a national tragedy, taking the lives of four children
every day and affecting millions of children and families every year.
Each April, Child Abuse Prevention Month activities raise awareness
about this problem—and most importantly, about what each of us can do
to help prevent the abuse and neglect of our nation’s children.
In 2004, Child Protective Services (CPS) agencies throughout the United
States received 3 million reports concerning the welfare of
approximately 5.5 million children. As a result of these reports,
872,000 children (an average of 2,389 children each day) were found to
have been victims of abuse or neglect. Of these, more than 60
percent were neglected, about 18 percent were physically abused, 10
percent were sexually abused, and 7 percent were emotionally
maltreated. Child deaths are the most tragic results of maltreatment.
In 2004, 1,490 children died due to abuse or neglect and although
physical abuse was a major contributor, more than one-third of these
deaths were caused by neglect.
Sadly, the highest rate of child maltreatment occurs to our youngest
and most vulnerable children under the age of 4. In addition, children
younger than 4 account for 78 percent of child fatalities. No group of
children is immune. Boys and girls are almost equally likely to
experience neglect and physical abuse. However, girls are four times
more likely to experience sexual abuse.
At least four out of five victims are abused by at least one
parent and no matter how the fatal abuse occurs, one fact of great
concern is that the perpetrators are, by definition, the very
individuals responsible for the care and supervision of their victims.
In 2002, one or both parents were involved in 79 percent of child abuse
or neglect fatalities. Of the other 21 percent of fatalities, 16
percent were the result of maltreatment by non-parent caregivers, and 5
percent were unknown or missing. These statistics are consistent with
findings from previous years.
The impact of abuse is far greater than its immediate, visible effects.
Abuse and neglect are associated with short and long-term consequences
that may include brain damage, developmental delays, learning
disorders, problems forming relationships, aggressive behavior and
depression.
Survivors of child abuse and neglect may be at greater risk for
problems later in life—such as low academic achievement, drug use, teen
pregnancy, mental disease and criminal behavior—that affect not just
the child and family, but society as a whole.
During April’s observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Blue
Ribbon Campaign serves as a memorial to the children who were affected
by abuse and neglect and also a reminder that we can all play a part in
making child abuse prevention our
business.
The campaign was initiated in 1989 by a Virginia grandmother, Bonnie
Finney, as a tribute to her grandson. Michael Wayne Dickinson, 3, was
killed by his mother’s abusive boyfriend and his battered body was
found at the bottom of a canal.
Following her grandson’s death, Finney started a personal crusade to
help protect children by tying a blue ribbon to her van antennae to
remind herself and others of the terrible beatings her grandson
sustained. This action touched so many people in her community that it
spread from neighbors to the media and eventually grabbed the nation’s
attention.
Today the blue ribbon has become the national symbol of child abuse and
a constant reminder of our need to protect children.
Although all the causes of child abuse and neglect are not known,
research has identified several risk factors and protective factors
associated with child abuse. Studies have also shown that when multiple
risk factors are present, the risk is greater. For example, lack of
preparation or knowledge of critical issues surrounding parenting,
financial or other environmental stressors, difficulty in
relationships, stress of single parenting and depression or other
mental health problems can all lead to abusive or neglectful behavior.
Parents may lack an understanding of their children’s developmental
stages and hold unreasonable expectations for their abilities. They may
be unaware of alternatives to corporal punishment or how to discipline
their children most effectively at each age. Parents also may lack
knowledge of the health, hygiene and nutritional needs of their
children.
These circumstances combined with the inherent challenges
of raising children can result in otherwise well-intentioned parents
causing their children harm or neglecting their needs.
By helping parents who may be struggling with any of these challenges,
one can reduce the likelihood that their children will be abused
or neglected. Prevention efforts build on family strengths. Through
prevention activities, such as parent education, home visitation, and
parent support groups, many families are able to find the support they
need to stay together and care for their children in their homes and
communities.
Child Abuse Prevention Month is an opportunity to highlight the role we
can all play to support parents and families. Get involved. Wear a blue
ribbon and support the prevention of child abuse.
For information about programs to prevent child abuse and neglect,
contact the Exchange Club Center at 747-1339. To order blue ribbons,
call 792-2975.
Source: Prevent Child Abuse; S.C. Department of Social Services; and
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
What
is child abuse prevention?
Prevention is…
- An effective method to stop child abuse and neglect before
it starts, reducing the need for intervention and treatment
- An effort to help parents and caregivers develop skills for
managing children by understanding their children’s emotional, physical
and developmental needs and using alternatives to corporal punishment
for discipline
- A strong investment from the public and private sectors in
programs and public awareness campaigns that makes adults responsible
for our children’s protection
- Education and support networks for families during
pregnancy or at birth to help establish a nurturing environment for
their children
- Parent education (from babies to teens), home visitation,
and parent support groups that build on family strengths and support
families in staying together
- Anger and stress management, impulse control and problem
solving skills that are taught to all children at each grade level
- Community resources that can help families connect to
resources and get long-term guidance and support
Prevention is not...
- Hiring more child protective service workers to investigate
abuse after it occurs
- Building more advocacy centers and shelters
- Developing more out-of-home placements
- Enacting stricter laws for punishing abusers
- Recommending more mental health care for traumatized
children
Child
Abuse and Neglect: The South Carolina Perspective
In 2005-2006, South Carolina’s Department of Social Services (SCDSS)
received 16,898 reports of child abuse or neglect. This alarming
statistic reflects only those children reported to and indicated by the
SCDSS. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates this
number to be three times greater than the actual abuse and neglect
reports recorded by state authorities. This places the number of our
state’s child abuse and neglect victims closer to 50,694 annually.
By the numbers
Although the national trend is showing an overall decrease in abuse and
neglect, South Carolina continues to worsen. According to the 2006 Kids
Count report of national ratings, South Carolina dropped from a 45th
ranking to an overall 47th ranking for the well-being of children. In
addition to the drop in child well-being, South Carolina has also
declined in indicators such as percent of low birth-weight babies,
percent of children in poverty and percent of children in single-parent
families.
In 2004, the S.C. Law Enforcement Division’s Department of Child
Fatality reported 33 child fatalities related to abuse or neglect. This
was an increase from 2003 by five child abuse deaths.
Sources: South Carolina
Department of Social Services 2005-06 Accountability Report; Annie
Casey Foundation’s 2005 Kids Count Annual Report; Southern Institute of
Children and Families, 2004
Friday, April 13, 2007
Catalyst Online is published weekly,
updated
as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public
Relations
for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of
South
Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at
792-4107
or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to
Catalyst
Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to
catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island
Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.
|