Behavioral Issues Stemming from Childhood Abuse

Whether we as Americans want to believe it or not, child abuse happens more and more every single day. There are more innocent lives put at stake and more naive children victimized than there ever should be. What are we, as good and honorable members of society, supposed to do when we suspect a child is a victim of child abuse?

The first step is of course, to report it. For all of the frivolous and petty lawsuits and dramatic accusations going around, it's always best to be sure you know enough to make an accurate accusation. There are telltale signs of child abuse that almost every young person will carry with them, and it is very important to be able to spot these signs, so it will be possible to put a stop to it.

Obviously, the physical signs of child abuse are a dead giveaway that the child is being abused at home. It's a safe bet that there will be excuses and stories as to how each injury happened, so it's always best to keep your senses keen, and remember if the story changes each time you ask them what happened. Sometimes, if you ask the child by themselves what happened, the story will greatly differ from that of their abusers.

There are often some telltale signs in the child's behavior as well. Sometimes there is no physical evidence of abuse, but that certainly doesn't mean the abuse isn't happening. If the child doesn't seem to like being at home, or seems to dislike quick movements, it's a good idea to keep your eye out for other signs.

You should take a good, close look at the child's parents as well. They often seem to keep their family's business secret. Don't be mistaken, every family likes their privacy, but if the parent or guardian seems to stray from topics the normal parent would be excited about, it's a good idea to keep your eyes open for other signs of abuse.

There are abusive parents and guardians in the world who don't actually ever physically strike their child. However, though their abuse is not physically harmful, the emotional and mental abuse they may be getting could be just as bad, and perhaps worse.

If a young child seems to make deragatory comments towards other children, or even adults, more often than a normal child, then it's possible they've learned that behavior at home. It's also a red flag if the child comes into school seeming depressed, and not willing to smile or laugh. It's also common for the child to feel inadequate, and have very low self-respect, even at such a young age. A depressed child with low self-esteem is a very big warning sign of emotional child abuse. If a parent or guardian is outright belittling or overly critical of a child, it could be a huge detriment to their progression, not only as a child but also as an adult.

Children in a physically and emotionally abusive environment have a much harder time adapting to live as they get older and learn more about how the world works. Children living in families with a history of sexual abuse may also distribute similar behavior, in that they have quite a bit of obstacles in between them and a normal life.

In families with incestuous sexual abuse there are most often very big and easy to spot signs that can raise suspicious rather easily. The parent or guardians may not let their children out much or have friends over, and more often than not will not participate in too many functions that include other local families. The most common reason for this is that they don't want to risk their child saying or doing something in public that would make their secret abusive lives come to light.

If a child seems to exhibit behavior far too sexually explicit or knowledgable for a child their age, it's very likely they are a victim of sexual abuse at home. They often say very inappropriate things, because they simply don't know any better, and that's what they hear at home. Also, they may have strange behavior, such as grabbing or pushing other students in places they really shouldn't. Again, it's because they see the behavior at home, and assume that it's acceptable in public as well.

As the child grows and gets older, the abuse they suffered as a child will carry on into adulthood, and complicate many things. It can affect daily activities and make life much harder for them, despite the abuse being in the past. Often, adult victims of childhood abuse will have mental instabilities, trouble sleeping, trouble with relationships, or be a person overly dependent on sex. Even those who have only physical or emotional abuse will most likely end up following their parent's example, and abusing their own children or spouse. It's even very common for adult victims of childhood abuse to treat their friends and lovers poorly, as they possess an inability to comprehend how a normal and healthy relationship can work.

If you feel as though a child is being abused sexually, it's always best to gather facts quickly and make the call to get the family investigated. Leaving a child in a situation like that when you have the knowledge to help is as bad a crime as doing the abusing yourself. It is our duty as good citizens of our country, and of the world, to save the innocents that are left in it. They are our future, after all.