Child abuse has been an issue in our society for years. There are many types of abuse such as sexual, physical, verbal, and neglect. And hundreds of children have been through if not one then all abuses. Yet researchers say that as few as 1 in 10 of those instances of abuse are actually confirmed by social-service agencies — and that measuring the exact scope of the problem is nearly impossible(Tiffany Sharples 2008). Many adults that have been abused as children have suffered from trauma and physical health. Over the years studies have been made to understand the behavior of adults that have been abused as well as the kids.
As far back as the 1960’s hitting kids was not frowned upon or argued with. Back then it schools. In public and private schools teachers would hit the kids with paddles leaving marks on their hands bruises on their bottoms. However, as years have passed society began to see the effect on the kids that have been abused. It wasn’t until the 1990’s that they did away with paddles and not allowing the teachers to touch a student. It was seen as assault or harassment.
In 1974 the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) was passed to protect the children. Even though the act was passed, reports of abuse were still flowing in. Parents kept abusing their children in some kind of manor leaving bruises or different behavior in the kids. With the changes in the kids, the people that associated with them noticed the differences and reported what they saw. Young children were scared to talk to older people because they were nervous were just were scared to be in a room with an adult.
After being abused children have suffered depression or health issues. Studies have found sexual and physical abuse to be associated with diabetes (Kendall-Tackett and Marshall,1999), gastrointestinal problems(Drossman et al., 1995), obesity(Williamson et al.,2002), and irritable bowel disease(Talley et al., 1995). Kids would not want to engage in everyday activities such as playing outside, or even video games. As the kids grew older they may have become sexual or scared. Depending on the life they have been living kids can take their abuse in different ways. As adults they become scared and stressed. They feel as if people are out to get them.
In 1999, an estimated 3,244,000 children were reported to Child Protective Services (CPS) agencies as alleged victims of child maltreatment.( http://www.yesican.org/stats.html). Kids are still being abused and the numbers are still unfortunately rising. No matter how people look at it or try and help the numbers are still going to be going up. Based on a review of research conducted on child abuse between 2000 and June of this year, researchers estimate that 4% to 16% of children are physically abused each year in high-income nations, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada.(Tiffany Sharples 2008).
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) have a hard time trusting people and being intimate with their partner. In their mind during intimacy, they may go back to the time they were abused and it may create problem for the individual to have a relationship. However, they can help themselves with their problem. By going to a doctor to talk to them about what they went through and more than likely the doctor will recommend some exercises for the individual to try with their partner until they are ready to engage in sexual activities. For men it may be harder. Men don’t like to made the “woose” of friends, which would make it a lot hard to be able to trust who he talks to and who he wants to date. They may not be able to even talk to a doctor just of the humiliation of thinking of what they went through would put them back into that mentality of helplessness. For women it can be a little easier to help them. Woman become vulnerable and wants to be able to trust someone. They want to be heard and helped. Making it easier for women to be able to trust faster and overcome their fear and memories of when they were abused.
Sadly there is no stop to child abuse. People will still find sick pleasure in hitting kids and having sexual intercourse. People can only listen and try and help the victims that have been found or that have come forward. And for those that have hurt kids should be put in a hospital or jail. They are not in the right set of mind. It may be psychological but nonetheless, it is still wrong no matter how anyone views it.
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[Washington, DC] : Child Welfare Information Gateway, [U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children's Bureau, 2009]
Trauma and physical health : understanding the effects of extreme stress and of psychological harm / edited by Victoria L. Banyard, Valerie J. Edwards, and Kathleen A. Kendall-Tackett.
London ; New York : Routledge, 2009
Hypnosis, dissociation, and survivors of child abuse [electronic resource] : understanding and treatment / Marcia Degun-Mather.
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Preventing child abuse and improving responses to families in crisis : hearing before the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities, Committee on Education and Labor, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, first session, hearing held in Washington, DC, November 5, 2009.
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