Child Abuse Awareness

Sexual abuse is the third most frequently reported form of child mistreatment (10% of all cases). Experts believe that sexual abuse may be the most underreported type of abuse because of the secrecy or "conspiracy of silence" that so often characterizes these cases. A generally accepted definition of sexual abuse is that of a child involved in sexual activity for which consent cannot be given, is outside of the victim's developmental age, is unable to comprehend, and/or "violates the law or social taboos of society." Examples include fondling and any form of genital, anal, or oral-genital contact with a child that are unwarranted. These acts may occur whether the child is clothed or unclothed. Non-touching child sexual abuse would include exhibitionism, voyeurism, and the involvement of a child in prostitution or pornography. Child abuse is a worldwide problem affecting children from birth to 18 years of age. These data indicate the incidence of child abuse and neglect to be 12.1 per 1000 children; 1460 children (four children/day) died in 2005 as a result of inflicted trauma with more than 77% of these deaths in children less than 4 years of age. There is much more child abuse than gets reported. A common theme when interviewing abusive individuals is an unrealistic expectation of infant or child behaviors. Often they expect developmental-milestone maturity beyond the age of the child (such as toilet training). Commonly, the child is incapable of providing what many <b>...</b>