In 2008, in the U.S. alone, state and local officials received 3.3 million reports of child abuse and neglect, as reported by Child Protective Services (CPS). The fatality numbers were 1,740 children from the ages of 0-17 [rate of approximately 2.3 per 100000 children]. Of these fatality numbers, 80 percent were below the age of 4. http://cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pub/CM_datasheet.html/ As the physical scars remain engraved on their bodies, there are certain emotional scars too. This all happens due to the social ill of child abuse.
The expert Patti German discusses about this difficulty in this video-- about how to identify a victim of child abuse. Patti German is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. She has certification in marriage and family therapy (MFT) and has worked with the Penn Council for Relationships.
Common forms of child abuse
The major types of child abuse are: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and different forms of neglect. To discuss these forms in details would be the job of a child psychologist; but, to discuss them in brief is possible.
Physical Abuse: The inflicting of wounds on the body.
Sexual Abuse: this includes fondling a child’s genitals, making the child fondle the adult’s genitals, intercourse, incest, rape, sodomy, exhibitionism and sexual exploitation.
Emotional Abuse: The form of abuse is also known as: verbal abuse, mental abuse, and psychological maltreatment.
Neglect: The form of abuse where a child is not provided his/her basic needs, which can be physical, educational, or emotional.
There are the major forms of abuses which are common as well, but less obvious forms of abuse should not be overlooked, such as belittling or rejecting treatment. http://www.indianchild.com/child_abuse.htm/
Impacts of child abuse
Child abuse contributes to a large percentage of complex growth patterns of individuals who have been the victims. Certain issues that can occur are as follows.
Untrusting relationships: The child grows up to be an untrusting individual and the abuse will encourage your child to lie, resent, fear, and retaliate.
A deep based feeling of undervaluing self. A feeling of self-denial, feeling of shame, feeling of being worthless and feeling of being damaged are the most commonly felt and seen in the victims of different forms of child abuse.
Troubled Emotions: The victims of child abuse find it very difficult to cope up with their emotions.
Though, there could be many many more consequences and impacts on the child could cause them carry on the abuse to their own family as an adult. http://helpguide.org/mental/child_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm/
References
Fast Facts
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Perpetrators
Most children are maltreated by their parents rather than other relatives or caregivers.
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Characteristics
Perpetrators are typically less than 39 years of age.
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Characteristics 2
Female perpetrators are typically younger than male perpetrators.
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Rates of victimization
Rates of victimization were slightly higher in the U.S. in 2008 for girls[10.8 per 1000 children] than boys[9.7 per 1000 children].
