Abstract
Child Abuse has been a major part of our society. Many children are abused every day but very few cases are reported to the authorities. This act is well hidden since the majority of the time it is conducted by those close to the child. It can be deliberate however abuser can also sometimes not know that his action can harm the child, for example in the case of neglect. Statistical data shows how a child’s brought up affects his or her involvement in the social ills of society. Mainly children that are abused become abusive as adults thus abusing others and so the cycle goes on.
A major part of what a person turns out to be as an adult depends on his/her treatment as a child by an adult. Therefore young children are supposed to be protected and provided with all that is necessary for bringing them up as better and normal adults for the smooth running of society.
Child abuse has always been a negative part of every society. There are four major types of abuse; physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. Most of the time the abuse is coming from people close to the child, caregivers, parents, babysitters, and other family members. Due to acts of abuse children suffer greatly and it won’t be wrong to say that these experiences are definitely engraved into the child’s personality. The main long-term after-effects of child abuse that have been proven by facts are psychological disorders, crime, and addiction, and most shockingly these abused children grow up to be child abusers themselves.
Figures of child abuse are rising ‘in 2007, approximately 5.8 million children were involved in an estimated 3.2 million child abuse reports and allegations in the US’. (National Child Abuse Statistics, 2007). The increasing number of this gruesome crime, however, is not just limited to the US but the same trend can be seen all over the world. There are many organizations working to curb this problem however the main requirement for elimination is awareness of the consequences that abuse leads to.
According to the research conducted by Gene Abel, medical director of the Behavioral Medicine Institute of Atlanta, around 30% of pedophiles have sexually abused themselves as children. (American Psychiatric Association, 2006). This clearly states that those who are abused themselves become mentally sick and addicted to this dirty act. It is important to know how a single abuse can lead to more abuse by a former victim, thus the number multiplies. Apart from just sexually abusing others they also get involved in other serious violent crimes such as stealing and substance abuse.
In another study regarding child abuse done on a large population-based sample of men and women it came to light that ‘as many as 80% of those abused are diagnosed with some form of psychological disorder at the age of 21.’ (Springer, Sheridan, Kuo & Carnes, 2007). Mainly these disorders are related to depression, anxiety attacks and nightmares but it also affects the dietary habits of the individual. Some of these people by time become more disturbed; they have anger management issues and can be dangerous to other individuals. In many of these cases, therapy becomes a necessity.
It is important for society at large to know that child abuse is not just one social ill but it leads to many other social ills such as crime, addiction, abnormal psychological behavior, and more abuse. If society does not get to know the consequences of this hidden epidemic disease then the future will not be protected well.
References
American Psychiatric association. Psychiatric News (2006).
National Child Abuse Statistics (1995-2007). Web.
Springer, Sheridan, Kuo & Carnes (2007). Child Welfare Information Gateway, Long term consequences of child abuse and neglect factsheet. Web.