Community Problem Report
Figure 1. A chart illustrating the most common types of child abuse in Texas.
Abstract
Child abuse is one of the leading causes of death among children in Texas. Many people are not aware of the depth of this issue or the difference it can make to a child in their life. Spreading awareness can help prevent child abuse by informing people more about what child abuse is and what the child goes through. Children are seen as innocent and most of the time they are taken advantage of because of this characteristic. Texas is one of the biggest states in this nation and by fixing the problem in this community; the entire nation can make the change too.
Child abuse is one of the most impacting issues society has faced over the past few decades in Texas. According to CAC (2012), “Today, 185 Texas children will be victims of abuse”. There have been many different types of cases reported, most commonly, sexual child abuse and physical abuse. “1 in 4 Girls is sexually abused before her 18th birthday and 1 in 6 boys is sexually abused before his 18th birthday. In one year, more than 65,000 cases of child abuse were confirmed in Texas.” (CAC 2012). Children are the most innocent humans on this planet and that is why in most cases, they are the victims of these unfortunate acts of violence. It is important that awareness for child abuse is spread because then many fatalities and child traumas can be prevented.
Physical child abuse, neglect, emotional child abuse, and child sexual abuse are the most common types of abuse. Physical abuse is when the child is physically hurt purposely by someone else. Common signs of child abuse include unexplained injuries, bruises, bites, marks, broken bones, or black eyes. Typically the child will not participate with other children and might show fear towards other adults. “Physical abuse tends to occur at moments of great stress. Many people who commit physical abuse were abused themselves as children. As a result, they often do not realize that abuse is not appropriate discipline.” (nytimes, 2011).
“Often parents don’t realize that they are neglectful. They may not know any differently, especially if their own role models were similar. They sometimes think that providing “things” is enough, and forget about the caring. The crossing of social or economic lines sometimes causes neglect. Alcoholism or drug abuse may be a cause. The alcoholic or drug abuser focuses intensely on themselves and not their children or family.” (Irving, n.d.). Signs of neglect include frequently being absent from school, steals food or money, lacks sufficient clothing for the weather, or is consistently dirty and has sever body odor. Child neglect is the silent type abuse as it is not as visible as physical abuse and many “normal” children might also show these types of characteristics.
Emotional abuse is also another type of silent abuse, as it usually deals with being put down by words. Signs of emotional maltreatment include lack of attachment to the parent, attempts of suicide, or shows extreme behavior, such as overly compliant or demanding behavior. “Emotional abuse happens when yelling and anger go too far or when parents constantly criticize, threaten, or dismiss kids or teens until their self-esteem and feelings of self-worth are damaged.” (TeensHealth, n.d.).
Finally, the most brutal type of child abuse, sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse is very self-explanatory; it is when an adult molests a child, or rapes them. “The type of person who sexually abuses children typically has a need to control another person in both body and mind. Most abusers know what they are doing is wrong but come up with denial mechanisms. Some adults find it easy to exploit a child's fears of getting into trouble or of being unloved by the people he or she cares about. As a result, abusers are able to continue victimizing a child as long as the child does not tell anyone about the abuse.” (Gamble, 2011). Signs of sexual abuse include difficulty walking or sitting, refuse to change for gym or participate in physical activities, reports nightmares or bedwetting, runs aways and among those, many others. Child abuse is very tragic as it may result in unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases.
“According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, deaths from child abuse and neglect in Texas soared 31 percent to 280 last fiscal year.” (Dallas News 2012) Each year many children become victims of child abuse, but not all of the cases are reported. Many times the cases aren’t reported because no one is aware of what the child is going through. In these cases, it is when the child is being abused by someone he or she knows but is afraid to speak up due to embarrassment or threats. The Children’s Assessment Center stated that the real prevalence of child sexual abuse is not known because so many victims do not disclose or report their abuse. Researchers have suggested rates varying from 1% to 35%. Most professionals in the field of abuse use rates from 8% to 20%.
Child abuse is an issue seen often throughout the state of Texas. Although many people are not aware of it, Texas is a big state and awareness can start here. Sending awareness to different cities in the state can create a big change not only in our community, but also in the world. Walk to Action is an excellent resource for child abuse awareness. This webpage contains information on how to spread awareness and hot prevent child abuse. “Prevent Child Abuse Texas (PCAT) is a statewide non-profit organization working to prevent child abuse and neglect in all its forms throughout Texas.” (PCAT, n.d.).
By preventing child abuse, many children will grow up in a safe environment. This is important because children are the future of this world and possibly the doctors that will ensure people’s health, or the presidents that will direct this nation. Since child abuse cannot be completely stopped, setting more laws that will punish those committing such tremendous crimes can regulate it. Awareness can also be spread throughout the state by forming campaigns and setting up meeting that will inform people what child abuse is.
Proposing new laws can help regulate the abuse, as some people might actually think about the consequences before hurting a child. The state of Texas can then become a role model for the rest of the nation and prove that child abuse can be detected and prevented. Besides creating new laws, there should be more easy-access awareness posts such as putting them online, on the television, and through articles such as newspapers and magazines. These sources should include how to get help, report an abuse, and even where and how to find shelter for those children who intend to run away. If children run away, they should at least know of safe places to go to instead of lounging on the streets where they are exposed to even more danger.
Child abuse is one of the leading causes of death among children in Texas. Many people are not aware of the depth of this issue or the difference it can make to a child in their life. Spreading awareness can help prevent child abuse by informing people more about what child abuse is and what the child goes through. Children are seen as innocent and most of the time they are taken advantage of because of this characteristic. Texas is one of the biggest states in this nation and by fixing the problem in this community; the entire nation can make the change too.
Child abuse is one of the most impacting issues society has faced over the past few decades in Texas. According to CAC (2012), “Today, 185 Texas children will be victims of abuse”. There have been many different types of cases reported, most commonly, sexual child abuse and physical abuse. “1 in 4 Girls is sexually abused before her 18th birthday and 1 in 6 boys is sexually abused before his 18th birthday. In one year, more than 65,000 cases of child abuse were confirmed in Texas.” (CAC 2012). Children are the most innocent humans on this planet and that is why in most cases, they are the victims of these unfortunate acts of violence. It is important that awareness for child abuse is spread because then many fatalities and child traumas can be prevented.
Physical child abuse, neglect, emotional child abuse, and child sexual abuse are the most common types of abuse. Physical abuse is when the child is physically hurt purposely by someone else. Common signs of child abuse include unexplained injuries, bruises, bites, marks, broken bones, or black eyes. Typically the child will not participate with other children and might show fear towards other adults. “Physical abuse tends to occur at moments of great stress. Many people who commit physical abuse were abused themselves as children. As a result, they often do not realize that abuse is not appropriate discipline.” (nytimes, 2011).
“Often parents don’t realize that they are neglectful. They may not know any differently, especially if their own role models were similar. They sometimes think that providing “things” is enough, and forget about the caring. The crossing of social or economic lines sometimes causes neglect. Alcoholism or drug abuse may be a cause. The alcoholic or drug abuser focuses intensely on themselves and not their children or family.” (Irving, n.d.). Signs of neglect include frequently being absent from school, steals food or money, lacks sufficient clothing for the weather, or is consistently dirty and has sever body odor. Child neglect is the silent type abuse as it is not as visible as physical abuse and many “normal” children might also show these types of characteristics.
Emotional abuse is also another type of silent abuse, as it usually deals with being put down by words. Signs of emotional maltreatment include lack of attachment to the parent, attempts of suicide, or shows extreme behavior, such as overly compliant or demanding behavior. “Emotional abuse happens when yelling and anger go too far or when parents constantly criticize, threaten, or dismiss kids or teens until their self-esteem and feelings of self-worth are damaged.” (TeensHealth, n.d.).
Finally, the most brutal type of child abuse, sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse is very self-explanatory; it is when an adult molests a child, or rapes them. “The type of person who sexually abuses children typically has a need to control another person in both body and mind. Most abusers know what they are doing is wrong but come up with denial mechanisms. Some adults find it easy to exploit a child's fears of getting into trouble or of being unloved by the people he or she cares about. As a result, abusers are able to continue victimizing a child as long as the child does not tell anyone about the abuse.” (Gamble, 2011). Signs of sexual abuse include difficulty walking or sitting, refuse to change for gym or participate in physical activities, reports nightmares or bedwetting, runs aways and among those, many others. Child abuse is very tragic as it may result in unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases.
“According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, deaths from child abuse and neglect in Texas soared 31 percent to 280 last fiscal year.” (Dallas News 2012) Each year many children become victims of child abuse, but not all of the cases are reported. Many times the cases aren’t reported because no one is aware of what the child is going through. In these cases, it is when the child is being abused by someone he or she knows but is afraid to speak up due to embarrassment or threats. The Children’s Assessment Center stated that the real prevalence of child sexual abuse is not known because so many victims do not disclose or report their abuse. Researchers have suggested rates varying from 1% to 35%. Most professionals in the field of abuse use rates from 8% to 20%.
Child abuse is an issue seen often throughout the state of Texas. Although many people are not aware of it, Texas is a big state and awareness can start here. Sending awareness to different cities in the state can create a big change not only in our community, but also in the world. Walk to Action is an excellent resource for child abuse awareness. This webpage contains information on how to spread awareness and hot prevent child abuse. “Prevent Child Abuse Texas (PCAT) is a statewide non-profit organization working to prevent child abuse and neglect in all its forms throughout Texas.” (PCAT, n.d.).
By preventing child abuse, many children will grow up in a safe environment. This is important because children are the future of this world and possibly the doctors that will ensure people’s health, or the presidents that will direct this nation. Since child abuse cannot be completely stopped, setting more laws that will punish those committing such tremendous crimes can regulate it. Awareness can also be spread throughout the state by forming campaigns and setting up meeting that will inform people what child abuse is.
Proposing new laws can help regulate the abuse, as some people might actually think about the consequences before hurting a child. The state of Texas can then become a role model for the rest of the nation and prove that child abuse can be detected and prevented. Besides creating new laws, there should be more easy-access awareness posts such as putting them online, on the television, and through articles such as newspapers and magazines. These sources should include how to get help, report an abuse, and even where and how to find shelter for those children who intend to run away. If children run away, they should at least know of safe places to go to instead of lounging on the streets where they are exposed to even more danger.