Child Abuse

Beyond cases reported to authorities, little knowledge exists on the types, amount, and effects of childhood victimization. Through a national survey of adolescents, researchers examined the prevalence of sexual assault, physical assault, physically abusive punishment, and witnessing an act of violence and subsequent effects on mental health, substance use, and delinquent behavior problems. Gender and racial/ethnic specific findings are translated into national estimates.

Research findings include (from the U.S. Department of Justice):

1. Rates of interpersonal violence and victimization of 12 to 17 year-olds in the United States were extremely high, and witnessing violence is considerably more common.

2. Black and native American adolescents were victimized more than whites, Hispanics, and Asians in each type of victimization. Much of the violence experienced by youths is perpetrated by peers or someone the victim knows well. Most sexual assaults (86 percent) and physical assaults (65 percent) went unreported.

3. A clear relationship exists between youth victimization and mental health problems and delinquent behavior. For example:

~ Negative outcomes in victims of sexual assault were three to five times the rate observed in non victims.

~ Girls who witnessed violence were nearly twice as likely as boys to experience post traumatic stress disorder.

This nationally representative sample does not include adolescents from homes without telephones and certain high-risk adolescents (i.e., those who were homeless or housed in jails, juvenile correctional facilities, or inpatient mental health treatment facilities).

These are disturbing statistics and are supported by the well known syndrome that rape cases go largely unreported. Many times, children are embarrassed to report abuse, especially sexual abuse, which allows the perpetrator more time to continue with the child (and others). The National Center for Child Abuse and Neglect estimates that there are almost one million children in the US that suffer life threatening physical violence each year.

Some parents believe that physical violence is a way of changing the child's behavior. They do not realize how much damage can be done to the child both physically and emotionally. Acting from "innocence," such parents can do irreparable harm to their own progeny.

It is essential that parents and family friends become aware of the abuse schemes that exist. That they observe any changes in the child's behavior. And, most importantly, is is absolutely necessary that parents be open with children and that children know they can be open with parents!

This and much more, abstracted from the book "Empowering Children." If you want to read more, see:

http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/description.asp?ISBN=0-7414-2331-6

Dr. Malkin holds a B.Sc. in Business and a Masters and Ph.D. in Religion. He has made hundreds of visits to schools with a moving and effective motivational presentation, urging teens to do their personal best. His mentoring programs have empowered many, many children. His quest for years has been to teach the power of Right Action, working towards the goal of a better world.

Latest News


is there any correlation between bad parenting...
AllHipHop - 1 hour ago
is it essential for a parent to teach you a thing or two about men or women when it comes to crafting your relationship{mackin} skills and is it possible ...
YOU'RE/THAT'S SO GHETTO AllHipHop
all 3 news articles

Chief Parenting Extends C-Level Parental Suite to Include Chief ...
PR Web (press release), WA - 13 hours ago
Empowering men and women to become exemplary parents, recognizing those that do and honoring them with their earned executive level parenting titles, ...

The Intersect Between Reporting and Parenting
Tecumseh Herald, MI - 5 hours ago
Sometimes, though, circumstances make it so that all I can do is be the parent. Take last night's band concert in Britton. Just take yesterday in general, ...

Examiner.com

Parenting Tip of the Day: Lay off the sarcasm
Examiner.com - 7 hours ago
by Terreece Clarke, Parenting Examiner I'm a sarcastic human being. I'm like Ralphie's dad from A Christmas Story, he dabbled in obsenities, ...

Spencer Bachus Approves of Nanny State, Opposes Parenting
Casino Gambling Web, FL - 1 hour ago
Long time supporter of legalization and regulation of all forms of online gambling, Gordon Price, said, "Instead of teaching parents how to filter the ...

TheTimes

Make holidays brighter for children of incarcerated parents, she says
TheTimes, OR - 22 hours ago
By Kristen Forbes A Parenting Inside Out class graduate poses with her son. She and her two children will be gift recipients at the Center for Family ...

The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com

The Family Tree
Baltimore Sun, United States - 13 hours ago
Volunteers older than 21 are needed as parent educators in North and South Counties to co-teach a Positive Parenting Course in 12-week intervals. ...
Statistics about children in crisis The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com
all 4 news articles

Media Mogul Tommy Mottola Finds New Star in EEBEE
MarketWatch - 23 hours ago
We're confident that co-parenting this business with Tommy Mottola will bring us to the next level of success." "We are delighted to partner with EVERY BABY ...

Free parenting workshop today at Second Bethlehem Baptist Church ...
Alexandria Town Talk, LA - 5 hours ago
A free parenting workshop will be held today, Dec. 4, at 6 pm at Second Bethlehem Baptist Church located at 1910 Harris Street Alexandria. ...

Or Ami addresses parenting issues
Agoura Hills Acorn, CA - 16 hours ago
Congregation Or Ami's Center for Jewish Parenting is currently offering a series of lectures that cover a wide range of parenting issues. ...

Resources