Child_Abuse

Child Abuse 2 Child abuse is a major social problem in the society in which we live. Child abuse is the physical, psychological/emotional or sexual maltreatment of children under the age of eighteen by a person who is responsible for the welfare of a child (Kendall, 2004). Child abuse occurs in many settings, residents, churches, schools, childcare facilities and residential schools. It has been documented that the most common form of child maltreatment is not physical but rather neglect, not meeting a child’s basic needs for emotional warmth and security, adequate shelter, food, health care, education, clothing, and protection (Kendall, 2004). Child abuse has been a major social problem for several decades. Throughout history, in all cultures and ethnic backgrounds, children were considered property of their parents and could be punished or ignored as the parent wishes. In 1875, The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was founded (The History of Child Protection, n.d). This was the beginning of an American society moral obligation to address protecting kids. In the 1930s the passage of the Social Security Act legally protected children from their parents (Kendall, 2004). In the 1960s, physical abuse and neglect was acknowledged and documented through radiology procedures (The History of Child Protection, n.d). In the late 1960s child abuse became a criminal act (The History of Child Protection, n.d). Child abuse has become an epidemic that must be resolved because our children are dying at a faster rate than people who suffer from chronic illnesses. According to, the Prevention and Treatment of child abuse, 3 million reports are made a year in the US. An expert from the Prevention and Treatment of abuse Child Abuse 3 has estimated that the actual amount of incidents of abuse and neglect are 3 times greater but not reported (2008). The effects of child abuse can lead to psychological disorders and even death. Battered child syndrome, is a psychological disorder in which a child experiences low self –esteem and sometimes clinical depression associated with former or current abuse perpetrated by a biological or custodial parent ( Kendall,2004). Child abuse has long lasting effects on the life span and development of an individual. Eighty percent of young adults who had been abused met the diagnostic criteria for at least 1 psychiatric disorder at the age of 21 (including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, & post-traumatic stress disorder). Abused children are 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy. Abused teens are 3 times less likely to practice safe sex, putting them at greater risk for STDs. (Lung & Daro, 1996) According to the Prevent and treatment of child abuse (n.d), the link between abuse as a child & future criminal behavior are; 14.4% of all men in prison in the USA were abused as children 36.7% of all women in prison were abused as children. Children who experience child abuse & neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile, 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult, and 30% more likely to commit violent crime. A history of child abuse can also be associated with substance abuse. Children who have been sexually abused are 2.5 times more likely to develop alcohol abuse. Children who have been sexually abused are 3.8 times more likely to develop drug addictions. Child Abuse 4 Currently, there are several child abuse prevention programs working in a joint effort to resolve the child abuse and neglect epidemic. Healthy Families Illinois (HFI) is a voluntary program of intensive and continuing home visiting which assists parents of newborns through education, hands-on coaching, and access to community services. Healthy Families Illinois is a part of the Healthy Families America initiative. HFI was modeled after and credentialed by Healthy Families America, a national initiative of Prevent Child Abuse America. The primary goals consist of promoting positive parenting, maximizing child health and development, and preventing child abuse and neglect. This initiative begun in 1997 with state funding, HFI grew to an $11 million statewide program in 51 different communities serving over 3,000 families annually by 2001. (citation)The vision is for these services to reach full scale in Illinois through incremental growth each year. In 2008, 10 million dollar increase for new parent home visiting services was sought out for the program. (citation Here)At the federal level, HFI will advocate for passage of The Education Begins at Home Act (EBAH) to provide $500 million over three years to help states establish or expand quality home visitation programs for new parents (Prevent Child Abuse, 2008). Prevent Child Abuse Illinois has provided key leadership for the development of Healthy Families Illinois since 1994. Prevent Child Abuse Illinois has been instrumental in refining the statewide implementation strategy for Healthy Families Illinois, promoting the initiative, developing community interest, exploring funding options, providing home visitation Child Abuse 5 workshops for professionals, and planning and implementing an annual recognition luncheon (Prevent Child Abuse, 2008). The social work profession has been addressing this issue of child abuse for decades. Several initiatives have been proposed by the national Associations for Social workers. Prevent Child Abuse Illinois has also been a key player in the updating of strategic plans for Healthy Families Illinois and contributing to the implementation of that plan (Prevent Child Abuse, 2008). Kendall, D. (2004). Social Problems in a Diverse Society. (3rd edition). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon Lung, C. & Daro D. (1996) Current Trends in Child Abuse Reporting and Fatalities: The Results of the 1995 Annual Fifty State Survey. Chicago: National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse. http://www.childabuse.com/fs9.htm Prevent Child Abuse Illinois. (2008). Retrieved on September 27, 2008 from http://www.preventchildabuseillinois.org/code/contact.html# Prevent and Treatment of child abuse. (n.d). Retrieved on September 27, 2008 from http://www.childhelp.org/resources/learning-center/statistics The History of Child Protection. (n.d) Retrieved on September 27, 2008 from http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/macau/1192/id49.htm