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What do I do if I suspect a child is being abused? If you suspect that a child you know is being abused - perhaps a niece or a nephew, a child in the neighborhood or a classmate of your youngster - you have a responsibility to become involved. Teachers are often the first to see the changes in a child's physical appearance, emotional condition, and behavior, changes that suggest she is being hurt or is in trouble. In many states, teachers (as well as physicians, dentists and other professionals) are legally obligated to report suspected cases of abuse - and for good reason: Every year, children die from abuse, often even after someone became aware that they were being victimized. Signs of physical abuse These indicators may suggest a youngster has been physically abused:
If you suspect abuse Use some common sense in trying to determine whether a child is actually being physically abused. For instance, normal, active children have some bruises and bumps that come from everyday playing. However, these routine bruises tend to occur over bony areas such as knees, elbows, and shins. If you see a child who has injuries on other parts of the body -- the stomach, the cheeks, the ears, the buttocks, the mouth, or the thighs -- this should raise your suspicions. Black eyes, human bite marks, and burns in the shape of round cigarette butts are not symptoms of everyday play. In the overwhelming majority of child abuse cases, parents do not consciously intend to injure their children. Most abusive episodes arise when adults have difficulty coping with life situations and lose control. However, even if their intentions are not malicious, a parent who abuses a child may do it again, especially if his or her underlying stresses are not addressed. As a result, society often has to intervene in order to protect the child and assist the family. After the report Once a case has been investigated by law enforcement and social agencies, local social service bureaus may institute various forms of services and treatment to help the family. However, the safety and protection of the child are the first priority, and thus children are sometimes removed from their family and placed in a foster home, at least temporarily; at the same time, efforts are made to work with the parents to address underlying problems and teach them coping skills to ensure that episodes of abuse are not repeated. Help prevent abuse in your community Finally, you might also get involved to help reduce the incidence of child abuse in your community at large. You can become an advocate for a caring and respectful environment for all children. True, some segments of society still condone corporal punishment and even outwardly abusive behavior toward children - but this is wrong. You can work with local schools to eliminate physical punishment and to promote and teach constructive ways to deal with anger and conflict.
Published online:
10/07 The information contained in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
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Child
Abuse