Rianna P.

Gurr 1
11 October, 2017
Professor Flocken M.
PSYCH 1100

Child Maltreatment

The issue of child maltreatment is becoming more and more prevalent. Not just around

the country, but around the globe. We now understand the individual, familial, and societal risks

resulting from different forms of abuse. Child maltreatment is not just physical abuse, but

psychological and sexual abuse, as well as neglect of a child. The Understanding Child

Maltreatment; Fact Sheet describes physical abuse as the use of intentional force, such as

hitting, kicking, shaking, burning or other show of force against a child. Sexual abuse covers

any form of sexual act including fondling, rape, and exposure. Emotional abuse is defined as

Behaviors that harm a child's self-worth or emotional well-being. This consists of rejection,

name-calling, shaming or threatening a child. Neglect is an omissive form of abuse in which a

parent or guardian fails to provide and meet the basic needs of a child, including housing,

healthcare, education, food etc. (CDC, 2014). Each type of maltreatment has its own set of dire,

sometimes fatal consequences. It is difficult. However, to formulate exactly what constitutes

child maltreatment. Cultural differences make it hard to determine what exactly is abuse, as

different cultures have different ways of disciplining children, and differing ideas of what is right

or what is wrong when doing so. Despite this fact, most of modern society understands that child

abuse is wrong and needs to be rectified. In recent years, many countries have employed

programs and tactics to try and prevent the abuse from happening.

There are many different factors that may lead to child abuse in the home. Family

environment may be the most impactful. Abuse is more common in homes where guardians

experience a more significant amount of stress. This may partially explain why rates of abuse are

higher in low-income and impoverished communities, as well as in areas where unemployment

rates are high (World Report, p. 68). Lack of support from family and friends, family history of
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violence and substance abuse, or health problems can have a significant impact on the likelihood

of maltreatment (CDC, 2014). Community and societal factors also make a difference. Areas

with less social capital, and fewer family assistance programs have heightened numbers of abuse

and neglect. Cultural values and gender norms impact individual behavior and aggression. Some

cultures believe in corporal punishment, while others tend to take a different approach, like time-

out or expressing disappointment. The responsiveness of the criminal justice system can deter

guardians from using abusive tactics (World Report, p.69).

It is estimated that about 14% of children experience abuse between the age of one month

to 17 years old, with 681,000 cases confirmed by Child Protective Services in the U.S, in 2011

(Child Maltreatment), and 686,000 in 2012 ( CDC, 2014)., Different kinds of abuse often come

in pairs. For example, a child who is physically abused is more likely to also be psychologically

abused. The Adverse Childhood Exposure Study (Felitti, Vincent J, et al., 1998), which named

certain negative experiences and placed them in different categories(psychological abuse,

physical abuse,and contact sexual abuse), showed that if a person reported being exposed to a

single category, the probability of exposure to another category increased by a median of 80%,

after which the probability of exposure to a third category went up by a median of 54.5%. The

purpose of ACE was to determine the physical and psychological health risks factors associated

with past abuse. Among persons who reported childhood exposure, rates of smoking, severe

obesity, physical inactivity, depressed mood and suicide attempts all increased, with rates highest

for those who were exposed to more categories (Felitti, Vincent J, et al., 1998).

The effects of child maltreatment depend on the nature, severity, and duration of abuse,

the age of the child, and the child's relationship to the abuser. Such effects can be physical,

resulting in broken bones, bruises, and cuts if the child is physically abused or neglected. Other
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adverse physical health effects include heart disease, cancer, lung disease, liver disease, high

blood pressure, and high cholesterol (Child Maltreatment). These physical effects may be closely

linked with the psychological effects of abuse, as those who experience it are more likely to

smoke, use illicit drugs and develop eating disorders (Felitti, Vincent J, et al., 1998).

Severe head trauma is the most common cause of death for abused infants, either by

impact or by shaking, with one in every four victims of shaken baby syndrome [dying] and

nearly all victims [experiencing] serious health consequences (Child Welfare, 2013). Shaken

baby syndrome affects 30 per 100,000 children under the age of 1 in America (Child Welfare,

2015 ). Such injuries are the result of bleeding in the eye or brain and damage to the spinal cord

and neck. The effects of head trauma dont always become apparent at the time the abuse occurs,

but sometimes later on in life, as abuse and neglect hinder the development of certain regions of

the brain and decrease functionality. Such trauma can lead to cognitive and learning disabilities.

Children who have been abused or neglected may suffer from delayed speech, reading ability

and school readiness (Child Welfare, 2015) Abuse may also result in socioemotional deficits,

and possibly other mental health disorders. Interruption of neurological development can cause

anxiety, hyperactivity or behavioral problems in children and adults.

Consequences of child maltreatment can also be psychological in nature. The most

immediate being isolation, fear and the inability to trust. These can lead to significant problems

in a person's adult life such as depression, low self-esteem and difficulty forming healthy

relationships (Child Welfare, 2013). Research has shown that of those who were abused as

children, 80% of adults develop a psychiatric disorder by age 21, these people are more

susceptible to anxiety disorders, PTSD, and suicidal behavior. These psychological

consequences lead to behavioral issues. Victims of child maltreatment are more likely to abuse
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alcohol and drugs, participate in violent behaviors or risky sexual behaviors (World Report, p.

69). These behavioral issues then lead to adverse health effects like STDs, cancer, and other

chronic diseases.

The most severe of all consequences of child abuse is death. Approximately 1,570

children died from abuse or neglect in 2011(Child Maltreatment). Children between the ages of

0-4 years old are most vulnerable and are most likely to suffer death as a result of abuse. In 2000,

it is estimated that 57000 deaths of children under the age of 15 were homicides. Homicide rates

differ from country to country, with high-income countries falling at about 2.2 per 100,000

children, and low-income countries with rates as high as 17.9 homicides per 100,000 male

children. It is likely that these rates are not accurate, as many deaths that are classified as

accidents or sudden infant death syndrome may actually be the result of fatal abuse. Less obvious

are the consequences that child maltreatment has on society. It is estimated that the United States

loses approximately $124 billion due to cases of child abuse, fatal and nonfatal (CDC, 2014). A

trial funded by the CDC shows that for every $1 that is put toward prevention programs, there

will be $47 in benefits to society. A financial burden is evident when we consider costs of

treatment for victims by hospitals, doctors, and other providers. Communities suffer the cost of

child maltreatment investigations as well as the prosecution, jailing of perpetrators, as well as the

cost of increased criminal activity rates of victims, which is approximately 9 times the rate of

those who do not experience maltreatment. We must also consider child foster care placement

and costs to the education system. It is estimated that maltreatment prevention can save

American taxpayers $104 billion each year (Child Welfare, 2013).

Research shows that child abuse and neglect has drastic effects on both the individual and

societal level. Many cases may go unreported and result in fatal consequences. This is why it is
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the responsibility of each person in the community to be mindful and able to recognize a

situation of maltreatment and be ready to report it to authorities. If you see something, say

something.

Works Cited

Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2013). Long-term consequences of child abuse and
neglect. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Childrens
Bureau.

Child Maltreatment: Consequences

CDC. (2014). Understanding Child Maltreatment [Fact Sheet].

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Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2015).Understanding the effects of maltreatment on brain

development. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Childrens Bureau.

World Report on Violence and Health, Child Abuse and Neglect by Parents and Other
Caregivers (p. 59-81). CDC.

Vincent J Felitti MD, Robert F Anda MD, MS, Dale Nordenberg MD, David F Williamson MS,
PhD, Alison M Spitz MS, MPH, Valerie Edwards BA, Mary P Koss PhD, James S Marks
MD, MPH (1998) Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many
of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults, Adverse Childhood Exposures, 14(4), 245-258.
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0749-3797(98)00017-8