Child abuse and neglect have devastating consequences

Child abuse and neglect have devastating consequences

According to recent statistics from Child Welfare Protection Services, 80% of child abuse and neglect victims developed at least one psychiatric disorder by age 21, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, children who experience abuse and neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as juveniles, 28% more likely to be arrested as adults, and 30% more likely to be arrested for violent crimes.

Abused children are 25% more likely to suffer from teenage pregnancy, 2.5 times more likely to suffer from alcoholism, and 3.8 times more likely to suffer from drug addiction. A third of these abused children will one day abuse their own children. There are different types of child abuse and neglect. Physical neglect includes denial of health care to treat a physical injury, medical condition or impairment, or delay in health care.

It is also about abandonment, which is the desertion of a child without supervision. Kicking a child out of the house, letting him go overnight without knowing his whereabouts, and reckless disregard for the child's safety, such as: E.g., drunk driving, are all causes of physical neglect. Inadequate clothing, food and shelter are also common causes. Physical abuse involves intentionally hitting, kicking, punching, burning, or injuring the child in an attempt to control them.

Emotional child abuse and neglect can be one of the most damaging forms as it is always subtly lurking in the back of the child's mind, undermining their confidence and zest for life. The Department of Health and Human Services defines emotional abuse as “inadequate care, affection, or attention, chronic or extreme spousal abuse, permitted drug or alcohol abuse, permitted crime or assault, and denial or delay of mental health care.”

Children carry these scars into adulthood and have problems with their self-esteem, relationships, perceptions, motivations and learning abilities. Emotional abuse often leads to physical abuse, and many abused children are doomed to repeat the cycle of violence passed down from their parents if abuse treatment is not sought.

There are many other devastating effects of child abuse and neglect in both the short and long term. After severe beatings, children suffer from bruises, burns, cuts, broken bones and permanent disabilities. Often parents avoid seeking medical help because they fear being “found out,” which can lead to the child’s death. Psychologists speculate that children exposed to consistent patterns of household violence develop neurological problems, either increased fear response connections along neural pathways, leading the child to experience the world as hostile and threatening, or inactive regions of the brain, causing the child to be overly aggressive and insensitive, or withdrawn and antisocial.

Abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, cancer, illness, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, and impaired immune systems are more common in abused children. Children from abusive homes are also 25% more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as smoking, teenage pregnancy, crime, drug use and school dropout. The dangers are all obvious. If you suspect a child has been a victim, call one of the abuse hotlines today.

Inspired by Mike Ramidden