Child Abuse and Neglect Essay -- Violence Against Children

Child abuse is the intentional omission of care by a parent or guardian that can cause a child to be hurt, maimed, or even killed. Child abuse can be either physical, mental, emotional or sexual. Because of child abuse, Caprice Ried will never do the things that a normal four-year old does. She will never play on a playground, or go to a sleepover, and never go to school. All of this was taken away from her at such a young age, when she died of child abuse. The foster parents, Patricia Coker, and her mother Betty Coker have been charged with second degree murder for Caprice’s death. Caprice went without food for days. She was also tied to a chair and beaten with a stick until she couldn’t walk. Several days later, she was found dead.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As horrible as this story seems, this scene happens way to often. In 1996, approximately 3,126,000 children were reported for child abuse. Currently, about 47 out of every 1,000 children are reported as victims of child abuse and maltreatment. Overall, child abuse reporting levels have increased 45% between 1987 and 1996.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1996, an estimated 1,046 child abuse and neglect related fatalities were confirmed by Child Protective Services, (CPS) agencies. Since 1985, the rate of child abuse fatalities has increased by 20%. Based on these numbers, more than three children die each day as a result of child abuse or neglect.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1996, some states reported that almost 77% of these children that died were less than five years old at the time of their death, while 45% were under 1 year of age. The causes of death were 45% neglect, 52% physical abuse, 3% from a combination of neglect and physical abuse. Studies of the general population show that anywhere from 6% to 63% of women were sexually abused as children. A 1985 L.A. Times national survey found that 27% of women and 16% of men reported being sexually abused prior to age 18. The true extent of sexual abuse in unknown.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The relationship between parental alcohol or other drug problems and child maltreatment is becoming increasingly evident. And the risk to the child increases in a single parent household where there is no supporting adult to diffuse parental stress and protect the child from the effects of the parents problem.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Both alcohol and drug problems are widespread in this country. Almost 14 million adult Americans abu... ...ecial report to U.S. Congress on alcohol and health. 9) American Association for Protecting Children. (AAPC). (1988) Highlights of official Child Neglect and Abuse Reporting, 1986. Denver, CO. American Humane Association 10) Finkelhor, D. (1986) A Sourcebook on Child Sexual Abuse. California: Sage Publications 11) FInkelhor, D. and Williams, L. (1988) Nursery Crimes: Sexual Abuse in Day Care. California: Sage Publications. 12) Ogintz, E. The Littlest Victim. Chicago Tribune, Thursday, October 6, 1988 13) Sedlak, A. (1996) Early Findings from the Third National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect:1988. Rockville, MD: Westat, Inc 14) Woodside, M. (1988) Research on Children of Alcoholics: Past and Future. British Journal of Addiction, 83: 785-792 15) Practical Approaches to Successful Healing Sexual Abuse; Helping Adult and Child Survivors. Presented by: Adena Bank Lees 16) Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center’s : Response To Family Violence: A Teaching Forum 17) Child Abuse Identification. The New York State Course. Prepared by St. Agnes Hospital white Plains, New York. 18) Child Abuse and Maltreatment. A guide for Mandated Reporters.