Child Abuse: What You Need To Know

In the United States, state and local Child Protective Services agencies investigate
more than 3 million reported cases of child abuse and neglect each year. The long-
term consequences can be quite substantial. Whether the abuse is physical, sexual or
emotional, it can leave a lasting and detrimental impression on the child that can, in
turn, harm others. It is important that we, as a society, do all we can to prevent it.

Short-Term Consequences

In addition to their suffering and sustained injuries, children, who are being abused,
are likely to suffer from one or more of the following effects: suppressed cognitive,
language, and learning abilities; compromised overall physical health; prevalence of
debilitating diseases such as asthma, hypertension and ulcers; mental and emotional
disturbances (e.g. panic, dissociative, ADHD, manic depressive, and post-traumatic
stress disorders; and antisocial traits.

Long Term Consequences

Teenagers and adults, who have survived an abusive childhood, have an increased
proclivity to adult criminality, juvenile delinquency, and substance abuse. Clearly, the
effects of child-abuse are long-reaching both to the victims and to society at large. Thus,
prevention of such abuse is necessary to a well-functioning society.

Prevention

The first step in prevention is recognizing the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect
that the child may exhibit, which can be any of the following: unusual behavioral
changes (e.g. appearing scared, depressed, nervous, or agitated almost all the time);
hesitation and fear of going home; injuries that the child victim cannot or is having a
hard time explaining; sleeplessness or loss of appetite; poor retentive memory resulting
to an unsatisfactory school performance; risk-taking tendencies; and inappropriate
sexual behaviors.

What can be Done

The moment you suspect that a child is being abused, you should immediate contact
local authorities such as the police department or Child Protective Services (CPS). Many
States provide toll-free phone numbers that you can reach to report suspected cases
of child abuse and neglect. For information on where to make a report in your state,
refer to the resource directory list or better yet dial the National Child Abuse Hotline at
1.800.4-A.CHILD / 1.800.422.4453.

The Role of Social Workers

Social workers from CPS will investigate reports of alleged abuse. It is the hope of CPS
to keep families together through prevention of future abuse when at all possible. Of
course, in cases of extreme abuse or neglect, this is not the recommended course of
action.

CPS officials will evaluate the family situation and may recommend one or more of
the many prevention programs that are offered by most states. CPS employs social
workers to work with families in a variety of programs like Basic Needs and Mental Health
Programs, and Advocate and Parenting Classes and Services.

Child abuse and neglect is a terrible thing, but turning a blind eye to the problem only
perpetuates and aggravates it. If we work together as a society and become attentive
and pro-active on what’s going on around us especially to children, then we can, one
way or the other, lessen the instances and consequences of abuse and neglect towards
them.

Learn more about social workers and the role they play in preventing domestic violence at SocialWorkerData.com