Causes and Effects of Child Abuse

Main Causes and Effects of Child Abuse

Definition of Abuse:
Abuse is defined as any action that intentionally harms or injures another person. Abuse can occur to anyone of any age and gender and from any walk of life. It can take the form of physical battery, emotional bullying, psychological coercion, sexual abuse, or neglect.

Definition of Sexual Abuse:
Sexual abuse or sex abuse, also referred to as molestation, is abusive sexual behavior by one person upon another. It is often perpetrated using force or by taking advantage of another. When force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault.

Definition of Child Abuse:
Child abuse is the maltreatment of children, including any or all of the following Physical, emotional, medical or educational neglect, physical punishment or “battering, and emotional or sexual maltreatment and exploitation.

Child abuse is when a parent or caregiver, whether through action or failing to act, causes injury, death, emotional harm or risk of serious harm to a child. There are many forms of child maltreatment, including neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation and emotional abuse.

Causes of Child Abuse:
All the causes child abuses have listed in the below:

• Domestic violence,
• Substance abuse,
• Immaturity,
• Unrealistic expectations,
• Emotional problems,
• Economic crisis,
• Lack of parenting knowledge,
• Difficulty in relationships,
• Shaken baby syndrome,
• Depression and other mental health problems,
• Impaired brain development,
• Poor physical health,
• Exposure to violence during childhood.

Physical Effects of Child Abuse:

I includes the following:

1. Bruises and welts,
2. Scrapes and cuts,
3. Burn marks,
4. Head trauma,
5. Weakened brain development,
6. Sprains or broken bones,
7. Difficulty walking or sitting,
8. Torn, stained, or bloody clothing,
9. Pain or itching in the genital area,
10. Bruises or bleeding in and around the genital area,
11. Sexually transmitted diseases,
12. Inappropriate dress,
13. Poor hygiene,
14. Poor physical health.

Psychological and mental effects of child abuse:
It includes-

• Anxiety,
• Depression,
• Low self-esteem,
• Withdrawn,
• Dissociation,
• Difficulty with making and maintaining relationships,
• Experiences flashbacks,
• Hypervigilant,
• Persistent fear.

Behavioral effects of child abuse:
It includes-

1. Self-harm,
2. Eating disorders,
3. Alcohol and drug use,
4. Trouble sleeping,
5. Uncomfortable with physical contact with others,
6. Repeating school grades,
7. Absent from school often,
8. Criminal activity.

More questions related to this article:

• Define abuse.
• Define sexual abuse.
• Define child abuse.
• What are the causes of child abuse?
• Write down the effects of child abuse.
• State the physical effects of child abuse.