Child Abuse and Neglect

Who Are the Abusers?

• Child abusers are usually ordinary people caught in situations that are beyond their control.

Who Are the Abusers?

PERSONAL RISK FACTORS

• Stress, Life Crisis

• Abused/Neglected as a child

• Lack of Parenting Knowledge/Skills

• Substance Abuse

• Marital Problems

• Illness

Who Are the Abusers?

ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS

• Economic Burdens

• Social Isolation

• Acceptance of Violence

• Cultural differences

Who Are the Abusers?

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS

• Young adult – mid twenties without high school diploma

• Living at or below poverty level

• Has experienced violence first hand

• Depressed – has difficulty coping with stressful situations.

Long Term Effects

EMOTIONAL

• Fear, mistrust, guilt

• Anger, hostility

• Anxiety, depression

• Poor self-esteem

Long Term Effects

SOCIAL

• Difficulty developing close relationships

• As adults, they may have difficulty holding jobs.

• Display inappropriate sexual behavior:

Females are 28 times likely to become involved in prostitution.

• 1/3 are likely to become abusers.

Long Term Effects

• 2/3 of abused and neglected children lean toward some type of substance abuse:

• Overeating

• Drug abuse

• Smoking

Long Term Effects

• Victims face additional difficulties during teenage years:

• Delinquency is 59% more likely

• Low academic success

• Pregnancy

Long Term Effects

MENTAL

• Higher risk of developing mental health disorders.

• May have cognitive delays: learning disabilities, ADD, ADHD

Long Term Effects

PHYSICAL

• Bruises, broken bones, burns, brain damage

• 18,000 are permanently disabled each year: seizures, blindness, cerebral palsy.

• Death for 1,500 in 2004

Long Term Effects

EFFECTS ON FAMILY

• Guilt, mistrust

• Ineffective, non-supportive, poor role model

• Violent

Long Term Effects

EFFECTS ON CAREGIVERS

• Inability to deal with disruptive behavior.

• Unskilled in dealing with psychological issues of child.

Long Term Effects

EFFECTS ON COMMUNITY

• 24 billion spent on the child welfare system

• 69 billion spent on health care, human services and education