Child abuse or maltreatment is the physical, sexual, and/or psychological abuse or neglect of a child or children, especially by a parent or caregiver. Child abuse can include any act or omission by a parent or carer that results in actual or potential harm to a child and may occur in the child’s homes or schools or communities with which the child interacts.
Volunteer your time. involved other parents in your community. Help vulnerable children and their families. Start a gaming group.
Discipline your children judiciously. When you are angry or tight Never discipline your children. Give yourself time to calm down. Remember that discipline is a way to teach your children. Use privileges to encourage good behavior and time out to help your child regain control. Examine your behavior. Abuse is not just physical. Remember That Be a caring parent. Use your actions to show children and other adults that conflicts can be resolved without hitting or yelling.
Educate yourself and others. After-school activities, parent education classes, mentoring programs, and respite care are some of the many ways to protect children from harm. Be a voice to support these efforts in your community. Teach children their rights. When children learn that they are special and have a right to be safe, they are less likely to think abuse is their fault and more likely to report the perpetrator. Support prevention programs. More investment is needed in programs that are proven to stop abuse before it happens – such as family counseling and home visits by nurses who provide support to newborns and their parents.
Know what child abuse is. Physical and sexual abuse clearly represents mistreatment, but so does neglect or the failure of parents or other caregivers to provide the child with the food, clothing, and care it needs. Children can also be emotionally abused when they are rejected, scolded, or constantly isolated.
Know the signs. Unexpected and unexplained injuries are not the only signs of abuse. Depression, fear of a particular adult, difficulty trusting others or forming friendships, sudden changes in eating or sleeping patterns, inappropriate sexual behavior, poor hygiene, reticence, and hostility are often symptoms of family problems and may indicate that a child is being neglected or physically neglected. sexually or emotionally abused.
Report abuse. If you witness a child being harmed or see evidence of abuse, report it to your state’s child protective services department or local police. When talking to a child about abuse, listen carefully, reassure the child that they did the right thing by telling an adult, and confirm that they are not responsible for what happened.
Invest in children. Encourage community leaders to support children and families. Ask employers to provide a family-friendly work environment. Ask your local and national legislators to support legislation to better protect our children and improve their lives.
Risk factors
Violence against children is a multifaceted problem with causes at the individual, intimate, community, and societal levels. Important risk factors are:
Individual level:
biological and personal aspects such as gender and age
lower levels of education
with low incomes
have a disability or mental health problems
identify or be identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender
harmful use of alcohol and drugs
history of exposure to violence.
Close Relationship Level:
lack of emotional bond between children and parents or caregivers
bad parenting practices
family dysfunction and separation
being associated with delinquent peers
witnessing violence between parents or carers
early or forced marriage.
Community level:
poverty
high population density
low social cohesion and transient populations
easy access to alcohol and firearms
high concentration of gangs and illegal drug trafficking.
Company level:
health, economic, educational and social policies that perpetuate economic, gender and social inequalities
missing or insufficient social protection
post-conflict situation or natural disaster
an environment of weak governance and poor law enforcement.
The seven strategies are:
• Implementing and enforcing laws (for example, prohibiting violent discipline and restricting access to alcohol and firearms);
• Norms and values change (for example, changing norms that condone sexual abuse of girls or aggressive behavior among boys);
• Safe environments (such as identifying neighborhood “hot spots” for violence and then addressing local causes through problem-oriented policing and other interventions);
• Supporting parents and carers (for example, providing parenting training to young, first-time parents);
• Income and economic empowerment (e.g. training in microfinance and gender equality);
• Providing response services (for example, ensuring that children exposed to violence have access to effective emergency care and receive appropriate psychosocial support); and
• Education and life skills (such as making sure children go to school and providing life and social skills training).
