Child abuse is a cry for help that falls on deaf ears. Every year more than three million reports of child abuse are made in the United States.It is a terrible epidemic that needs to be put to an end.Those who have lived through this tragedy, deserve some form of restitution or compensation for their suffering .In this essay, I will discuss what child abuse is and why it’s a problem, and possible solutions that would help put a stop to 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 maltreatment including neglect,physical abuse,sexual abuse,exploitation,and emotional abuse.In the United States, more than 4 children die from child abuse and neglect on a daily basis. Over 70% of these children are below the age of 3.1 out of 3 girls and 1 out of 5 boys will be sexually abused before they reach age 18 and 90% of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way, 68% are abused by a family member.All of this information is found on this website, https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-child-abuse. These are just statistics based on what has been reported, there are many more children who are suffering and have no one to speak up for them.Child maltreatment is a major problem because it can impede on a child’s social development , it can also have a negative impact on their mental state and cause children to develop psychological disorders.
There are many possible solutions that can help prevent child abuse.The first solution, is to make people more aware. If adults know what to look for , they will be able to notice signs of abuse in children. This solution has worked with teachers, since they know what to look for , they can look for signs of abuse in their students.Another solution,is for social workers to make visits more frequently,especially to teen parents.There was an incident where a teen mom and her boyfriend were charged with felonies for the death of her son. “ a 19-year-old long beach woman and her boyfriend were charged with felonies stemming from the death of her 2 ½ year old son, who suffered severe head injuries and several broken bones”, written in the article, “Couple Charged in Death of Boy 2 ½’ , Local News in Brief, LA times. Another solution is if Child Abuse programs and counseling , form an entity that will provide a provision of services to children who have been abused.
Child abuse is a problem that some people may not take seriously. Others also may not think it is a major issue because who would want to hurt an innocent child? Those who didn’t think child abuse wasn’t a major issue, are now dissenting from their original opinion .Every year more than three million reports of child abuse are made in the United States. If people acknowledge that child abuse is a major issue, it would help put this terrible epidemic to an end.
Works Cited
Walsh,Matt,”Spanking is a disciplinary measure,not child abuse. Get a grip,people” The Matt Walsh Blog
11 September 2015
http://themattwalshblog.com/2014/09/18/spanking/
Unknown,” Child Abuse and Neglect “ . HelpGuide.org
30 September 2015
http://helpguide.org/articles/abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect.htm
Jayness33, “SHOCK VIDEO!!! Child Abused by Babysitter
30 September 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8RzT0NiruQ
Walsh,Matt,”Spanking is a disciplinary measure,not child abuse. Get a grip,people” The Matt Walsh Blog
11 September 2015
http://themattwalshblog.com/2014/09/18/spanking/
Unknown,” Child Abuse and Neglect “ . HelpGuide.org
30 September 2015
http://helpguide.org/articles/abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect.htm
Jayness33, “SHOCK VIDEO!!! Child Abused by Babysitter
30 September 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8RzT0NiruQ