Running head: CHILD ABUSE

Assignment #1 - Sociological Observer

Child Abuse

Kassia Webb
International College of the Cayman Islands

Introduction to Sociology SO201

Instructor: Dr. Yisreal

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Interview
I have conducted a research on Child Abuse and arranged an interview with Mrs.
Maribel Rosado, who is originally from Puerto Rico, was previously working at Department of
Children and Family (a state government social services capacity) in Florida before relocating to
Cayman. Mrs. Rosado mentioned that she has 16 years of experience in working and advocating
for children and families with disabilities, people with mental health challenges, domestic
violence victims/perpetrators, behavioral problems, family systems and those struggling with
substance abuse. She holds a Certified Child Protection certification. She also holds a master's
degree in Social Work. She adds, before pursuing her degree in social work she has decided on
doing accounting. However, after having some internship experience in the life of accounting,
she changed her mind. She later developed a passion for social work as her mothers friend was
actively involved in the community and she believes she had an interest in that area.
On Thursday 3, November 2016 at 7:00 p.m., I met with Mrs. Rosado to discuss her
experiences with child abuse. Mrs. Rosado mentioned that she has dealt with many child abuse
victims for over 16 years including investigating. If said if individuals suspect that there is
suspicion of child abuse then they could call the hotline anonymously. However, if the person is
a doctor, teacher, social worker or a professional of this sort, then they are permitted to provide
their name and number. Mrs. Rosado role included, being a manager of state adoption, so she
was responsible for removing kids from abused homes and finding harmless homes for kids.
In addition, I asked her what were some circumstances and how did the situation evolve
and she responded that there were a bit of everything and it depended on the area. So, there were
different types of abuse in Orlando. One of the most popular cases are now are child human
trafficking amongst teenage girls and running away from home. I was curious as to why girls run

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away from home and she thought it was due to disagreements, for example, they have a
boyfriend that their parents may not like. They also turn to drugs to deal with the pain of being
forced to do sex acts .She thought there are various reasons why parents abuse their children
such as drug addiction, mental health issues, alcohol abuse.
Mrs. Rosado also added that there were parents who were also abused as kids and there
were some who lacked love and nurture. She shared that children are removed from their home if
they are no longer safe and if parents cannot protect their children. It was brought to my attention
that children have no authorization to tell the social worker that they prefer to stay with their
parents if they are seen at high risk. The social worker will ask the children if they happen to
have any responsible and approved family that they could stay with. Mrs. Rosado explained that,
she would only recommend returning a child back home only if the parent has completed a case
plan or treatment plan in which the social worker has handed into the court. The parents would
need to provide evidence of six to eight months alcoholic and drug-free report. I asked her what
were her concerns in being appointed to a case where a parent or other family member has
sexually abused a child and she described that there are cases where children tell their parents
that they are being abused and then the parents do not listen to them or believe them. I learned
that in America, the court has the authority to terminate a parents right in this case. Mrs. Rosado
expressed that she has delegated 16 years of her life to abused and neglected children. She
believes that they need love and compassion. However, she does not think that race and gender
play an aspect in the abuse of children. She further explains that in the Orlando area, there are
mostly black teenage boys in foster care than any other race due to societal influence as people
portrays black men as violent. She specified that she prefers working with teenagers as they will
provide information and answers questions, but especially boys as they are more respectful

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towards the social workers. The teenage boys are also open to encouragement. Furthermore, Mrs.
Rosado used the words, resilient, vulnerable, brave and loving to describe children. I asked her
what values are important to a family and replied, respect and support.
Research
Child abuse is a widespread form of bodily mistreatment or sexual act towards children
by parents, siblings and other family members. Child abuse is one of many reasons why children
are emotional, psychologically and physically affected throughout their lives. It is devastating to
know that children all over the world are being ill-treated by parents and family who are
responsible for nurturing and loving them. There is more to child abuse than just slapping or
yelling at your children. There are various types of child abuse that affect children in the society
such as emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect.
Emotional abuse is the act of shouting and saying harsh statements to children that will
obviously hurt their feelings and it also includes ignoring them for long periods. For example,
telling a child they are worthless, ugly, and stupid or that they should not have been born are all
ways of expressing emotional abuse. Acting in such way affects children mentally and it changes
their behavior towards people. Additionally, some children who experience emotional abuse
suffer a distinctive kind of abuse. Hornor (2012) reported, The weapons used against them are
not visible such as hands, belts, cords, or sexual acts, but rather ugly, hurting words or cold,
uncaring silence (para.1). It also affects children feelings causing them to lose value within
themselves and losing self-worth.
Physical abuse is physically causing child harm by putting them in pain. This is shown by
signs of bruises, wounds, fractured bones or burns. If these signs are seen, they should be
reported immediately for an investigation to be conducted. Children who suffer from sadness and

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nervousness due to being abused become captivated to drug and alcohol to cope with their
emotional well-being (Gluck, 2012). Also, I believe that children who are physically abuse could
affect them in the future. Most become aggressive and will also abuse others as well due to the
lifestyle that they grew up in.
Sexual abuse occurs when someone indecently touches, harasses or has committed a
sexual act with children. Children who are sexual abuse will act differently around the person
who is abusing them, causing others to find it suspicious. An example of a suspicious act of
sexual abuse is if a 7-year old girl goes to visit her uncle and cousins for Easter and she started to
act uneasy and said that she does not want to go. Only the uncle and the girl knew what he had
been doing to her but she did not tell anyone until her parents asked her what was the matter for
her odd behavior. Apparently, she was being forced to have sex. In addition, females are known
to be more affected than males. Females suffer from depression just having to experience the
kind of abuse. High levels of depression can lead to suicide and other serious injuries.
Moreover, neglected children are mostly those who have mental and physical disabilities.
These types of children are very special and require a lot of affection and compassion. Neglect
abuse could also be lead by broken relationships between a mother and the father.
According to Polonko (2006), Another form of neglect that has received little attention
but is associated with grave consequences for the child in terms of birth outcomes is
prenatal neglect. While prenatal abuse includes the use of alcohol and drugs during
pregnancy, neglect refers to the parent's failure to obtain adequate pre and postnatal care
deemed necessary for the physical, neurological and cognitive development of the fetus
and neonate. (p.3)

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If parents refuse to take care of their children and especially those with special needs can result
in death, severe injury, and psychological harm.
Conclusively, abused children are more likely to have different behavioral patterns. They
will show signs of emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect through their
behavior. Most children do not speak about it as they have issues finding someone to confide
into. Preventing child abuse is the main responsibility that parent should practice. Parents are
here to nurture, love and care for children. Preventing child abuse is not a simple matter;
however it could be avoided based on the morals and principles that parents set. Also, children
should be receiving attention frequently to avoid being abused from others.

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References
Gluck, S. (2012). Effects of child physical abuse. Retrieved from:
http://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/child-physical-abuse/effects-of-child-physical-abuse/
Hornor, G (2012). Emotional Maltreatment. Retrieved from:
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/775782_3
Polonko, K. A. (2006). EXPLORING ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT CHILD NEGLECT IN
RELATION TO THE BROADER FIELD OF CHILD MALTREATMENT. Journal of Health
and Human Services Administration, 29(3), 260-84.