Child abuse and neglect results in devastating effects

According to recent statistics from Child Welfare Protective Services, 80% of victims of child abuse and neglect developed at least one psychiatric disorder by the age of 21, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, children who experience abuse and neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as minors, 28% more likely to be arrested as adults, and 30% more likely to commit violent crimes.

Abused children are also 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy, 2.5 times more likely to develop alcoholism, and 3.8 times more likely to develop drug addictions. A third of these abused children will go on to abuse their own children one day. There are various types of abuse and neglect perpetrated against children. Physical negligence involves a refusal to receive medical care for a physical injury, medical condition or impairment, or a delay in medical care.

It also implies abandonment, which is the desertion of a child without supervision. Kicking a child out of the house, allowing the child to leave overnight without knowing where the child is, and showing reckless disregard for the child’s safety, such as driving while intoxicated, are causes of physical neglect. Providing inadequate clothing, food, and housing are also common causes. With physical abuse, the child is intentionally slapped, kicked, hit, burned, or injured in an attempt to control the child.

Child emotional abuse and neglect can be one of the most damaging forms because it always subtly lurks in the back of a child’s mind and undermines their own confidence and will to live. The Department of Health and Human Services defines emotional abuse as “inadequate care, affection, or attention, chronic or extreme spousal abuse, permissible drug or alcohol abuse, permissible delinquency or assault, and refusal or delay of psychological care.”

Children will carry these scars into adulthood and have problems with their self-esteem, relationships, perceptions, motivations, and learning abilities. Emotional violence also often leads to physical abuse and many abused children are doomed to repeat the cycle of violence passed down from their parents if treatment for the abuse is not sought.

There are many other devastating effects of child abuse and neglect, both short-term and long-term. After severe beatings, children have bruises, burns, lacerations, broken bones, and permanent disabilities. Parents often avoid seeking medical attention for fear of being “found out,” which can lead to the death of the child. Psychologists speculate that children who are exposed to consistent patterns of domestic violence develop neurological problems, either strengthened fear response connections along neural pathways that lead the child to experience the world as hostile and threatening, or inactive regions of the brain that prompt the child to be overly aggressive and insensitive, or withdrawn and antisocial.

Abuse, STDs, cancer, illness, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, and impaired immune systems are more common among abused children. Children from abusive homes are also 25% more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as smoking, teen pregnancy, delinquency, drug use, and skipping school. The dangers are all obvious. If you suspect a child has been victimized, call one of the abuse hotlines today.