Physical abuse of children is undoubtedly a serious problem. Children are physically weaker and smaller than adults, so even ignoring the psychological impacts of abuse, physical abuse can be very dangerous to the child’s life. Long-term physical abuse can even impede a child’s physical and mental development, depending on the amount of trauma the body is exposed to (Childwelfare.gov, 2013).
However, outside of the physical impacts, there are mental and psychological impacts of abuse, as well. For this reason, decisive action must be taken in cases where physical abuse of children is a known or suspected problem. Individuals who abuse children often “groom” them for the abuse, ensuring that the child does not speak about the abuse in public; this allows the abuser to continue to abuse the child without interference from other authority figures in the child’s life (Helpguide.org, n.d.). It takes a keen eye and someone concerned with the child’s welfare to notice abuse, and many children, unfortunately, do not have these types of support systems in their lives.
There are many ways to deal with child abuse, but in the United States, cases are handled state-by-state, by each state’s version of Child Protective Services (Helpguide.org, n.d.). These services may have different names in each state, but their purpose is similar: to protect children from neglect and abuse (Helpguide.org, n.d.). These agencies are often overworked and understaffed; they often do their best to protect children, but sometimes lack the resources to do so effectively.
If child abuse is so universally reviled, why is it so difficult to protect children from abuse? According to the Department of Justice (2005), it is a combination of a variety of factors, from a lack of agency specialization and training to problems with the law, many of which allow for abusers to regain custody of their children with minimal sentences, if any at all (US Department of Justice, 2005). In addition, abused children are in a difficult place, their abuser is often a caretaker that they love. Because of this, a prosecutor may face recantation or denial that the abuse happened at all; the prosecutor may also find that reports of abuse are delayed (Helpguide.org, n.d.).
Reducing the incidence of child abuse should be a priority, but to do so takes engagement by everyone in a child’s life. Educational programs that detail the signs and symptoms of abuse for adults who work closely with children are good, and encouraging children to speak about incidents that make them uncomfortable is also a good way to address the issue. However, at the end of the day, laws must be written that clearly outline what constitutes physical abuse and allow prosecutors to properly punish offenders.
References
Childwelfare.gov (2013). History of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. [online] Retrieved from: https://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth/history.cfm [Accessed: 14 Apr 2013].
Helpguide.org (n.d.). Child Abuse & Neglect: Recognizing, Preventing and Reporting Child Abuse. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/child_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm [Accessed: 14 Apr 2013].
US Department of Justice (2005). Prosecuting Child Physical Abuse Cases: Lessons Learned From the San Diego Experience. [report] Washington D.C.: US Department of Justice.
