Child abuse is defined as any act or neglect of a child’s needs by parents, daycare, someone living in their home, or from strangers, which cause physical or emotional abuse, as well as death. Child abuse is not just physical abuse, but also includes neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. Physical abuse is defined as injures to the child such as broken bones, bruises, or burns. Sexual abuse can defined as touching of private parts and inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature toward children. When a parent fails to provide food, clothing, shelter or other needs for a child, this is also defined as neglect. Emotional abuse can also have psychological effects, such as leaving a child to feel worthless or stupid. No child should feel worthless; in fact, children are the ornament of life and hope of the future.
Attention must be focused on the individual child at a societal level. We must take care of all the affairs of their lives and their issues immediately to ensure a brighter future. Furthermore, Prevention of child abuse is the best way to stop abuse and to protect children from damages. Therefore, what is the role of education in preventing child abuse, what are the child protective services, and how can children be kept safe?
THE ROLE IN PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE
What is the role of education in preventing child abuse? When kids are educated they're specific and possess the right to be secure, they're much more likely to record an offender, and less likely to believe abuse is their problem. Assistance prevention plans. Too frequently, intervention occurs just after abuse is reported.
- Know the signs.
You should know the signs, report abuse, and know the types of child abuse. Education starts with simply offering your time. Assist children and their households. Begin a playgroup. Discipline your kids thoughtfully. Never discipline your kid when you're annoyed. Allow time to yourself to relax. Recall that self-discipline is a means to educate your kid. Analyze your behavior. Misuse is not merely bodily. Both actions and words can inflict deep, enduring wounds. Be-a nurturing parent. Use your actions to demonstrate other adults and kids that issues can be resolved without striking or screaming.
- Report Abuse
Higher investments are expected in plans which have been confirmed to cease the abuse before it happens - including family counseling and house visits by nurses who provide aid for their parents and babies. Kids can also be psychologically abused if they're rejected, berated, or always remote. So, you should know when to involve the proper authorities, like CPS. Some children who are victims of abuse will require more professional help.
- Types of Child Abuse
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional abuse / Psychological abuse
- Neglect
According to Crosson, 2009, in The Role of Educators in Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect, “Each individual who deals with children has the obligation to be educated about protecting children from harm. Educators are the important part of the community to combat child maltreatment. Because Children spend most of their time in school, educators including all school personnel have access to students more than other professionals. Educators can prevent child abuse by applying their roles efficiently: identifying reasons why educators are concerned, recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect, providing support for abused child after the report” (8).
CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES
What are the child protective services? Child Protective Services is a government agency that is individually present in each state to ensure the safety and welfare of all children under the age of 18. They provide services that help children who have been abused by way of neglect, physically, emotionally and sexually. The agency has the authority to remove children from unfit homes, but can also help adults get the education and resources they need in order to protect and raise children in a non-abusive environment themselves.
How are these services provided? According to Texas Department of Protective Services, A Parent's Guide to a Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation,
“Child Protective Services:
1. Interviews the child that may have been abused or neglected. The interview with the child must be audio taped or videotaped. The interview may be held at any reasonable time and place, including at school.
2. Makes a reasonable effort to tell you of any interviews and the nature of the allegations within 24 hours after an interview has taken place.
3. Discusses the report with you to get an explanation of any injuries, safety concerns, or risk of abuse or neglect to the child.
4. Gets criminal history information about people alleged to have abused or neglected your child.”
Who receives these services? Whenever Parents, protector, and caregivers have been violating any persons who are under the age of 18 can receive CPS service if they identify by state statute (Lillian 2).
HOW CHILDREN CAN BE SAFE
Educate yourself and others. In summary, how can children be safe? Teach yourself and others. Easy support for parents and kids may be the easiest means to stop child abuse. Afterschool activities, parent education courses, mentoring plans, and respite care are a few of the numerous ways-to keep kids safe from injury. Educate kids their rights. As adults we must be caring. We must understand the indications. Mysterious accidents are not the only signs of maltreatment. As they develop kids rely on many grownups. Family members, parents, teachers and child-care workers all provide kids with support, love and guidance.
Teach children their rights. Nobody wants to-see kids develop with anxiety, frustration through abuse. But no-one is born knowing the way to look after kids. Sometimes we make errors that damage them. Adults do not need to be ideal, only ready to develop, learn, listen, and transform. When children are educated in their rights they will be safe; furthermore, child abuse will be less likely and child abuse reports will be more likely (DSHS 1).
