Child Abuse and Neglect Results in Devastating Effects

According to recent statistics from the Child Welfareabuse as "inadequate nurturing, affection or attention,
Protection Services, 80% of child abuse and neglectchronic or extreme spouse abuse, permitted drug or
victims developed at least one psychiatric disorder byalcohol abuse, permitted delinquency or assault and
the age of 21, including depression, anxiety, eatingrefusal or delay in psychological care."
disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder.Children will carry these scars into adulthood and have
Moreover, children who experience abuse and neglectproblems with their self esteem, relationships,
are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile, 28%perceptions, motivations and learning abilities. Often,
more likely to be arrested as an adult and 30% moreemotional violence leads to physical abuse as well and
likely to commit violent crimes.many abused children are doomed to repeat the cycle
Abused children are also 25% more likely toof violence passed down by their parents if abuse
experience teen pregnancy, 2.5 times more likely totreatment is not sought.
develop alcoholism and 3.8 times more likely toThere are many other devastating effects of child
develop drug addictions. One third of these abusedabuse and neglect in both the short and long term.
children will go on to abuse their own children one day.Following a severe beating, kids exhibit bruises, burns,
There are several types of abuse and neglectlacerations, broken bones and permanent disabilities.
perpetrated against children. Physical neglect involvesOften, parents avoid seeking medical care for fear of
the refusal of health care to treat a physical injury,being "found out," which may lead to the child's death.
medical condition or impairment, or a delay in healthPsychologists speculate that children who are
care.exposed to consistent patterns of household violence
It also involves abandonment, which is the desertion ofdevelop neurological problems, either strengthened fear
a child without supervision. Kicking a child out of theresponse connections along nerve pathways that lead
house, allowing the child to leave overnight withoutthe child to experience the world as hostile and
knowing his or her whereabouts and showing recklessthreatening, or inactive regions of the brain that prompt
disregard for the child's safety, such as driving whilethe child to be overly aggressive and insensitive, or
drunk, are all causes of physical neglect. Providingwithdrawn and antisocial.
inadequate clothing, food and shelter are commonMaltreatment, STDs, cancers, diseases, depression,
causes as well. With physical abuse, the child iseating disorders, substance abuse and impaired
intentionally slapped, kicked, punched, burned or injuredimmune systems are more common among abused
in an attempt to control them.children. Children from abusive households are also
Emotional child abuse and neglect can be one of the25% more likely to engage in risky behavior, like
most damaging forms because it lurks subtly in thesmoking, teenage pregnancy, delinquency, drug use
back of the child's mind always and undermines his orand skipping school. The dangers are all evident. If you
her very confidence and lust for life. The Departmentsuspect a child has been victimized, then call one of
of Health and Human Services defines emotionalthe abuse hotlines today.