Child abuse is a social menace and a deadly crime. It can happen anytime and anywhere and regardless of economic and social status. Child abuse encompasses various forms of abuse such as physical threats, rape, verbal abuse, psychological exploitation, and murder, among others. In most cases, victims often live in fear and pain. They lose their self-esteem and have a very low sense of worth. They isolate themselves from others in fear of being judged or experiencing the same thing in the hands of another abuser. In some instances, they blame themselves for the misfortune and absolve the abuser for the wrongdoings. Victims also suffer from depression and angst, which push them to commit suicide or become addicts and alcoholics. While some victims come out strong and unscathed, most of them tolerate and endure the suffering instead of protecting themselves. Thus, ensuring that children are safe, protected, and feel loved can help prevent child abuse and violence within families.
According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway (CWIF, 2008), the trauma that violence on children brings about presents huge impacts on the welfare of the child although children become resilient due to the experience (p. 3). While some children survive and move on from the negative experience, some children do poorly in school or drop out of school (p. 4). Some even run away to escape the harsh realities of their childhood. Some become members of gangs or find menial jobs to support themselves while away on their own (p. 5). Some grow up, study, and become successful in their careers, while others get married and abuse their own children as well. Apart from psychological and behavioral effects on the child, society is affected as well due to costs incurred in looking after and monitoring the plight of abused children. For instance, investigating "allegations of child abuse and neglect, as well as expenditures by the judicial, law enforcement, health, and mental health systems" (p. 5) comprise direct costs that come up to around $24 billion annually. On the other hand, indirect costs come from long-term monitoring of the effects of childhood abuse on the victims, which covers "juvenile and adult criminal activity, mental illness, substance abuse, and domestic violence" (p. 5). In addition, this may also include the government's expenditures when it comes to costs associated with special education services for children who experienced mental and physical trauma and more instances of availing healthcare services (p. 6), which runs up to $69 billion yearly.
Many researches prove the damaging effects of abuse on children, which depend largely on three factors, namely, the incidence of the abuse, personal attributes of the victim, and the environment where the child grew up. According to studies, children from violent homes are more likely to express their anger and frustrations as they reach their teenage years, which points out to increased number of youth violence and criminal conduct.
One way to solve the problem on child abuse is to look into domestic violence, which often translates into children getting affected by what is happening around them. When parents fight, children often either witness the violence or are victims of the conflict (James). Therefore, raising awareness about the effects in a child witnessing a violence must be taken into consideration, as this could lead a child to act abnormally towards certain situations. Initially, raising awareness could be in the form of brochures, pamphlets, flyers, and posters on bulletin boards in schools (James). Videos targeting child abuse can also be used because when fellow children and adults as well, actually see and hear accounts of children who are victims of abuse, the message targets not only the mental but also the emotional side of humans, too.
Schools may begin educating students about the harmful effects of child abuse as early as their preschool years so that they begin to understand the concept at an early age (James). As an example, the United States adhere to the Perry Preschool Program that focuses on having positive role models in the family and at school as well as identifying ways to resolve conflict among each other through cooperative play (James). Based on studies, children who underwent this type of learning instruction became more active in sports and school activities. They also exhibited deeper love for education, thus, were employable than those students who did not undergo a similar educational set up (James).
Educating students about domestic violence makes them aware of dating violence as well, which gives students an idea about what is acceptable, and what is not, in relationships. In addition, giving them an idea about how girls and women suffer in abusive relationships makes students realize that these issues are real and that if ever they find themselves in abusive relationships, there is no reason for them to remain silent and suffer. There are many organizations and support groups that help victims cope and move on from a tragedy, thus, adolescents should understand and know where to get help in cases they find themselves in similar situations.
Community leaders may also gather groups of young girls and women and show slides depicting abuse and how they can get out of similar situations. This is in the hope that women will feel empowered to get out of similar situations. In the same manner, boys and men should also be given the chance to view the same slides for them to learn how to treat women and children properly.
Child abuse and neglect is not only about visible physical bruises, but also about emotional and mental abuse, that leave long-term scars. The earlier children get help, the better the emotional and mental healing will be. In addition, this will help sever the cycle of hurting and getting hurt. By understanding the signs of abuse and actual steps to assist to victims, people and the community, in general, help in improving the life of countless children and women.
References
Child Welfare Information Gateway [CWIG] (2008). Long-term consequences of child abuse and neglect. Child Welfare Information Gateway. PDF
James, M. (1994). Domestic Violence as a form of child abuse: Identification and prevention. Retrieved from http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs/issues/issues2/issues2.html#prevention
