How to Recognize Incidence of Abuse

There are almost 3 million cases of chil abuse and neglect reported every year and it is rising. Children die as a result, however there are many cases that are not reported. Both male and female parents abuse children physcially, emotionally and through neglect. Many abused or neglected children develop a great deal of resiliency, especially if they have the support of a non abusive parent. Below are some signs of abuse

Sexual abuse occurs more frequently in father daughter or step father stepdaughter relationships. If the child starts to withdraw and tends to be distant or afraid check the relationship and communicate

Most female abuse happens in a family setting, male abuse is more likely to happen outside of the family unit.

Abusers in a family tent to dominate the family and often are substance abusers.

Abusers tend to have poor relationships outside of the family

Abused children tend to be either aggressive or overly withdrawn with other children, or their peers.

Posttraumatic stress disorder, including nightmares and flashback develop and continue until the child reaches adulthood,

Families in which abuse occus normally have a multitude of stressors, financial, lack of employment, family breakups broken relationships are all stressors

Neglected children suffer from feeling of abandonment

Presistent neglect leads to emotional disorders

Physical neglect happens when the parents fail to provide adequate supervision, safe living environment and they fail to provide proper nourishment

There are many forms of abuse and as responsible adults we should be aware of the signs of abuse to those people who are unable to protect themselves. In all fifty states, family counselors, mental health workers, teachers, and other profession people working with children must and should report evidence of child abuse.Counselors have a legal responsibility to inform child protection services, protection services can take steps to prevent further abuse.