CHILD ABUSE

Author: Fanny, Studying Diploma in prosthetics and orthotics from Government institute of rehabilitation and medicine

Introduction

Children are the backbone and treasure of the country. They are the powerhouse of the Nation. Today’s children are the men and women of tomorrow who will be the designers and moulders of a Nation.

The children have a limitless supply of vitality, determination, potential, passion and enthusiasm and have the ability to build the destiny of the nation. Societal monstrous like beggary, child marriage, child labour, drug addiction, child abuse, etc.cripple the appropriate maturing of nippers.

Child abuse

Child abuse is any behaviour like violence or viciousness caused by a parent or caregiver that harms a child. Sometimes children are maltreated by adults on whom they depend such as nursery workers, teachers, sports coaches, etc.

1.7 billion children encounter abuse across the world.3500 death are caused per year on account of child abuse in developed Nations. 75% of the children encounter maltreatment per annum.

Child abuse is not merely physical brutality directed at little ones. There are numerous forms of child injustice encompasses physical abuse, abandon, sexual abuse, exploitation and emotional abuse.

Types of child abuse

· Physical abuse

Physical abuse is a non-accidental physical injury caused by a parent or caregiver to a child. Smacking, striking, thrashing, frightening, nipping, scalding, scraping, strangling or choking a child are all examples of physical abuse.

· Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse occurs when the child is used for sexual purposes or involved in sexual acts by adults. It also includes when a child is used for sexual gratification or excitement by another child who is older and more powerful.

· Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse is when a child’s mental and social development is harmed or causes severe emotional harm by an adult, parent or caregiver. Persecuting, yelling, segregating, lambasting, frightening, ignoring and humiliating are all examples of emotional abuse.

· Child neglect

Child neglect is when the care, supervision, affection and support needed for a child’s health, safety and well-being are not given by a parent or caregiver. Child neglect encompasses physical neglect, emotional neglect, medical neglect, educational neglect and inadequate supervision.

Reasons for child abuse

Some people abuse children for several reasons including a crave to feel dominant, they encounter maltreatment as children, they don’t understand that a child has a right to feel safe, they think it’s right or appropriate.

Effects of child abuse

Child maltreatment and neglect cause permanent or long-lasting cicatrix on the child. It is arduous to erase the cicatrix from the child’s memory and as well as from the body.

Child abuse affects the child’s health, relationships, learning and education. If a child is abused it causes negative effects on a child lead to mortification, self-accusation, anger towards the abuser, fear of getting intimate and believing people, depression, complicated, low self-assurance, reminiscence, ephialtes, reliving the abuse, denial that it happened, difficulty at school with learning new things and socializing with others.

Adults may find it arduous to manage with life’s tension, get a good job or be a good parent when they were maltreated as children. They also have problems like psychological problems, drug or alcohol issues, villainous behaviour or showing signs of deleterious behaviour themselves.

Prevention of child abuse

To prevent a child from being maltreated, make a safe place for children in community, neighbourhood and society where the children feel safe and secure. Children should be educated about safety measures. The first step for the upliftment of children is the right kind of education. Create awareness among the children about child protection systems and networks. They also should be educated about the private body parts and the ‘good touch' and the ‘bad touch'. To help children build a network of concerned individuals and groups. To express the feeling and emotions of children freely without any restrictions structures and systems should be created. Ensure the children’s safety and supervision.

Parents are the abuser in 80.1% of cases of child maltreatment.

To prevent child abuse caused by parents, parents should try to understand their children’s behaviour. They should keep their children healthy. They should get rid of drugs and alcohol. They should control the anger of themselves before disciplining the child. Parents should make sure that the home is a violent free zone for children.

Laws for child abuse

Child abuse is illegal. It should be reported. All countries have enhanced many laws to protect children from child abuse.

Conclusion

Child abuse and neglect offend the basic values of the country. Childhood is a time when the moral and social character of children develop. Childhood memories became the memories of a lifetime. Bad memories haunt the person his entire life. Whatever falls on children makes an impression like a block of wet cement. The society’s character is revealed by how it treats its children. Only the weakest and cowardly people abuse the children. Children are the hope of the future so we should treat them well. We have to stop child abuse and neglect for the better life of children and society.