Child abuse awareness receives headlines during April, which is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. But any time is a great time to protect kids. Learn how to spot and stop different types of child abuse.
According to the CDC, at least 1 in 7 U.S. children experienced abuse or neglect in the past year. And according to childhelp.org, five children die each day due to abuse or neglect. As a community of people who work with kids and strive to show them love, kidmin workers find this sad and shocking. We must all work to stop these trends.
Child Abuse Awareness: 4 Types of Abuse
Different states have different terms and definitions. But child abuse usually falls under four main categories: physical, neglect, sexual, and emotional. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Child Welfare Information Gateway provides useful information. It defines four types of child abuse this way:
1. Physical
These are nonaccidental injuries and harm that come from a child’s caretaker. It doesn’t matter if the adult meant to hurt the child or not. According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, physical discipline, such as spanking or paddling, is not considered abuse as long as it is reasonable and causes no bodily injury to the child.
2. Neglect
When adults don’t meet a child’s basic needs, that is also abuse. Caretakers must provide physical needs (food and shelter), medical needs, educational needs, and emotional needs. This includes not allowing kids to use alcohol or drugs, giving psychological help when needed, etc.
3. Sexual
The exploitation of children is a form of abuse. So allowing or coercing children to engage in, or exposing them to, any form of inappropriate sexual situations falls under this category.
4. Emotional
This can be the hardest form of abuse to identify. But if a child is being abused another way, emotional abuse is usually present as well. Emotional abuse stunts a child’s emotional growth through threats, rejection, or insults.
Child Abuse Awareness: What Are the Signs?
Church workers can look for specific indicators to help spot child abuse. The HHS Child Welfare Information Gateway advises people to look for these signs:
- Does the child seem to always be looking for something bad to happen?
- Is he passive or overly compliant? Has she had a sudden change in behavior?
- Does the parent blame the child for most of their problems?
- Does the parent ask for harsh physical discipline when their child misbehaves?
- When the child and parent are together, do they stay separate and avoid eye contact with each other?
Child Abuse Awareness: More Red Flags
Next, these red flags can alert kidmin workers to possible abuse.
1. Physical
A child may have unexplained injuries. He or she may not want to leave to go home or may seem frightened by other parents.
2. Neglect
A child steals food or begs for more, isn’t wearing weather-appropriate clothing, or is always dirty and has a strong body odor.
3. Sexual
A child has difficulty walking or sitting, experiences sudden changes in appetite, or demonstrates unusual or sophisticated sexual knowledge.
4. Emotional
A child demonstrates extreme emotional behaviors (super aggressive or overly passive), acts too mature or too childish, or shows no attachment to their caretaker.
These signs don’t always indicate abuse. But if you see one or more in a child, consider the possibility of mistreatment.
