Can you explain child abuse?

Child abuse is damage to a child for which there is no "reasonable" explanation. Child abuse includes emotional abuse, sexual molestation, neglect, and non-accidental physical injury:

• Emotional abuse is a pattern of behavior that attacks a child's emotional development and sense of self-worth. Examples include constant criticizing, belittling, rejecting, insulting, and providing no love, support or guidance.
• Sexual molestation is the exploitation of a child for the sexual gratification of an adult, as in rape, incest, fondling of the genitals, or exhibitionism.
• Neglect is failure to provide a child with the basic necessities of life: food, clothing, shelter, or medical care.
• Non-accidental injury may include severe beatings, burns, strangulation, or human bites.

Would you consider corporal punishment as child abuse?

That depends. Child abuse is against the law, therefore, every case of corporal punishment must be decided individually in order to determine the degree of damage inflicted on the child and if it is sufficient enough to warrant a case of child abuse. Factors to be considered are the age of the child, what part of the body was hit, what was used to inflect the injuries, and how serious the injuries were. In many ways, corporal punishment may encourage other forms of abuse.

Would you say that child abuse is a one-time occurrence?

Not really. Child abuse is usually a pattern of behavior, not a single incident. The longer the child abuse continues, the more serious the consequences.

Is the problem extensive?

That cannot be answered with any degree of certainty. There are over 3 million reports of suspected child abuse each year and it is conservatively estimated that 2,000 children die each year as a direct result of abuse.

If abuse has occurred, what do you consider the best treatment?

The best approach would be to provide services to the whole family. It would not be sufficient to provide treatment or support to the abusive parent. The child needs treatment to overcome the emotional and developmental problems that result from having been abused.

Would you please point out how some child abuse cases are reported.

Usually, next-door neighbors, relatives, friends, and professionals make reports of suspected child abuse when they think a child has been abused or is in danger of being abused.

Which states have mandatory reporting laws?

All 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands have statues that require certain persons to report suspected cases of child abuse.

Please list the common elements in state reporting laws.

Teachers and physicians are mandated to report suspected child abuse in every state; child abuse is defined; the state agency to receive and investigate reports of suspected child abuse is identified (usually social services or the police; and lists what must be done once such a report is received.

Can I report a suspected case of child abuse?

Definitely. Anyone can make a report.

Am I required to identify myself when reporting?

No, but it's better if you do.

Please list any legal protection I may have when reporting child abuse.

People who report suspected cases of child abuse in good faith are granted immunity from civil or criminal liability.

Please tell me why child abuse occurs.

The "why" is not an easy question to answer. Child abuse is more likely to occur when:

• an adult views a child as being different from other children or as having special needs.
• there is a crisis or series of crises, whether major or not, but it is a crisis that precedes and causes the incident.
• an adult has the potential to abuse which is usually the result of being abused as a child, being isolated, not liking oneself, unable to meet one's own needs, unable or unwilling to seek help, and viewing a child with unrealistic expectations.

I am interested in knowing just who are child abusers.

Child abusers are usually ordinary people caught in situations that are beyond their control. Child abuse is not confined to minorities, the poor, or those in ghettos. Child abuse transacts all boundaries of economic level, race, ethnic heritage, and religious faith. Howerver, there are some groups that seem to be more vulnerable because of living conditions or the values that they hold.

Would you say that abusive parents hate their children?

Most parents love their children, but in times of stress, they strike out at whatever is nearest.

Would you say that jailing an abusive parent helps the problem?

Not usually. It only satisifies the need for retribution, but provides no treatment or services. Jail does not help the parent deal with stress or work through personal problems. Sometimes the threat of jailing may motivate parents to change, expecially in child sexual molestations cases.

Would you say that parents can learn to cope with their abusive problems?

Yes. In most cases, with the right support and treatment, parents can learn to cope with their problems and provide a safe environment for their children.

Please tell me what is good faith.

Good faith is the honest belief that a child has been or is in danger of being abused.