Child Abuse and it's effect on Children

No one should ever be a victim of Child Abuse, but unfortunetly their are many people that are victims of such tragic issues. There are many children that are suffering from child abuse. Kids suffering with child abuse cane become very anti-social and have self-destructive behaviors.They will develop different thoughts when trying to deal with the abuse by trying to understand the situation that they are in. Children that are experiencing any type of abuse usually have the same type of thoughts. Nothing makes sense to them because they are being put through these horrific situations. When children are being abused by a family member it puts them in a position where they have to lie for their family and keep a secret from the rest of the world. Abuse at a young age prevents children from having real relationships because they have to keep secrets from the rest of the world which leads to a life-long effects. And because our ability to form healthy social relationships is learned, abused children have a loss of many skills necessary to navigate the social world. This leads to problematic relationships in life and even on the job.

It is crazy to believe that 84% of prisoners were abused when they were children. This proves that the violent behavior children witness at a young age will carry on for the rest of their lives and they will get so use to these behaviors that they will start acting violent towards others. One in three girls and one in five boys are sexually abused by an adult at some time during childhood. Families with four or more children have higher rates of abuse and neglect, especially if they have crowded and bad living conditions. More than 80% of abusers are a parent or someone close to the child. Child abuse is more likely to occur in the child's home than in a day care center. One in thirteen kids with a parent on drugs is physically abused regularly mainly because the parent cannot control themselves and their actions since they are on drugs. One out of ten babies born today are born to mothers who are using drugs while being pregnant. Drinking and smoking heavily during pregnancy also endangers the health of unborn children. People are so muned to violence that when they hear stories on the news about abuse or horrific behavior they don't really care. Is this how it should be? That we do not care about anyone but ourselves? We have become s society of selfish and narrow minded people that no longer care about other people's problems unless it has something to do with us.

Children are being abused every single day, and even though we might not know who it happens to it does not mean that we can not try to help. Young children should know that they have options if they are being abused and they do not have to stand by their parents if they are being tortured. Young kids might feel as if they do not have any options and there is no way out, but the truth is that they do have many different opportunities of a better life. No one should have to suffer at such a young age. There should be more programs on advertisements and commercials that show how kids can be prevented from Child Abuse and how they can get help. Children need to know that there is a way out into a better life.

Signs of Child Abuse

*A child who is often aggressive.

Neglect Signs:

*A child who is hungry most of the time.

*A child not dressed for the weather.

*A child who is looks dirty and repeatedly wears the same clothes.

*A child who shows up early or stays late at school.

Physical

*Bruises shaped like an object like a belt buckle or electric cord.

*Bruises in unusual places (back, eyes, mouth, buttocks, genital areas, thighs, calves).

*Layers of different colored bruises in the same general area..

*Burns in the shape of an object

*Rope burns on ankles, wrists, or torso.

*Bite marks.

*Suspicious fractures

*Children do have options if they are abused :

* http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/help/ca.htm - Everyone has a say even kids! Do not wait around for a miracle to happen, make it happen, Stand up for your rights!

*As you can see Child Abuse is a big issue throughout the world, not just in New York. These innocent children need help and care. If you know anyone dealing with Child Abuse then try to help them !