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ABOUT ABUSE
The following
is reprinted from the Child Wellfare Information Gateway:
RECOGNIZING CHILD
ABUSE
The following signs may signal the presence of child abuse or
neglect:
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The Child: |
- Shows sudden changes in
behavior or school performance.
Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought
to the parents' attention.
Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot
be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes.
Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to
happen.
Lacks adult supervision.
Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn.
Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does
not want to go home.
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The Parent: |
- Shows little concern for
the child.
Denies the existence of—or blames the child for—the child's
problems in school or at home.
Asks teachers or other caretakers to use harsh physical
discipline if the child misbehaves.
Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome.
Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child
cannot achieve.
Looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and
satisfaction of emotional needs.
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The Parent and Child: |
- Rarely touch or look at each other.
Consider their relationship entirely negative.
State that they do not like each other.
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COMMON MYTHS ABOUT
CHILD ABUSE
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Child abuse is a problem of the ‘poor’.
Abuse crosses all social, racial and economic boundaries.
Only ‘bad people’ abuse their children.
Actually, most abuse is inflicted by someone close to the child.
Parents and/or caregivers are most common abusers. NOT strangers!
Child abuse is triggered by a ‘short temper’.
Sometimes, but the most common cause of abuse is usually related to
substance abuse by the abuser. It should be noted that most abused
children have a high probability of becoming abusers themselves.
This ‘chain’ can be broken with counseling.
Most abuse happens in foster homes.
This is a myth perpetuated by Hollywood. The fact is
that a ‘properly administered’ foster home may be the
safest place for an abused child. That means the foster parents
are carefully screened and trained and the placement is
carefully monitored to be sure the child is well cared for.
Foster parents are paid a small stipend, but this is not
(usually) sufficient to induce people to become foster parents
just ‘for the money’. Sadly, the budget, provided by the
government, has been getting lower and lower over the past
years. Less dollars leads to less oversight and (in some cases)
privatizing. To be sure your state’s government doesn’t
‘shortchange’ the Department of Children & Families, contact
your state government and your Senator and Congressman/woman.
You can find them by ‘searching’ their name(s) or visit
www.congress.gov
and enter your address.
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
A PROPERLY RUN FOSTER SYSTEM IS THE SAFEST PLACE AN
ABUSED CHILD CAN BE!
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SOME LINKS FOR HELP: |
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Prevent Child Abuse America
http://www.preventchildabuse.org/index.shtml
CASA - The National Court Appointed Special Advocates
http://www.nationalcasa.org/
CAPA – Child Abuse Prevention Association
http://www.childabuseprevention.org/
Child Welfare Information Gateway
http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/signs.cfm
Kids In Distress
http://www.kidsindistress.org/home.asp
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CONTACT:
info@thehallsofjacob.com
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