Every year more than 3 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States. It’s a terrible epidemic that we need to first increase awareness of the issue, and then be dedicated to helping to stomp it out.
What is child abuse? Child abuse is when a parent or caregiver, whether through action or failing to act, causes injury, death, emotional harm or risk of serious harm to a child. There are many forms of child maltreatment, including neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation and emotional abuse.
Physical abuse of a child is when a parent or caregiver causes any non-accidental physical injury to a child such as striking, kicking, burning, biting, hair pulling, choking, throwing, shoving, whipping or any other action that injures a child.
Even if the caregiver didn’t mean to cause injury, when the child is injured it is abuse. Physical discipline from a parent that does not injure or impair a child is not considered abuse; however non-violent alternatives are always available.
When a parent or caregiver harms a child’s mental and social development, or causes severe emotional harm, it is considered emotional abuse. While a single incident may be abuse, most often emotional abuse is a pattern of behavior that causes damage over time.
Child neglect is when a parent or caregiver does not give the care, supervision, affection and support needed for a child’s health, safety and well-being. Child neglect includes:
● Physical neglect and inadequate supervision
● Emotional neglect
● Medical neglect
● Educational neglect
Sexual abuse occurs when an adult or an older, more powerful child uses a child for sexual purposes or involves a child in sexual acts.
Call the 24-hour Child Abuse Hotline at 800-25-ABUSE (800-252-2873 or TTY 1-800-358-5117) if you suspect that a child has been harmed or is at risk of being harmed by abuse or neglect. If you believe a child is in immediate danger of harm, call 911 first.
In non-emergency situations, pleases contact The Children's Advocacy Center (847-885-0100) or Safe From the Start (630-823-5210).
Brought to you by the St. Hubert Domestic Violence Outreach Ministry