| "Let your child know you care" |
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The major types of child abuse include physical
abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and child neglect.
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Physical abuse is a physical act of aggression
directed at a child that causes injury, pain or impairment. Injuries
may result from punching, beating, kicking, burning or anything
that brings about physical pain or discomfort.
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Sexual abuse is an inappropriate sexual behavior
with a child. It is when a child is forced or persuaded into sexual
acts or situations by others.
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Emotional abuse is a verbal abuse or an attitude
that is degrading a child. They may be constantly criticized, blamed,
sworn, shouted at, rejected by those they look to for affection
or compared unfavorably with siblings or other children. It can
have long lasting effects on the social and mental health development
of a child.
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Neglect is the withdrawal of or failure to
provide a child with the basic necessities for physical growth
and development. This can include inappropriate clothing for the
weather, unhealthy food or no food at all, lack of supervision,
denial of medical care to a sick or injured child or denial of
love and affection.
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The best way to help an abused child or preventing
it from happening to your child is by educating yourself and watching
for the signs.
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| Signs of physical child abuse |
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Have unexplained burns, cuts, bites, bruises,
broken bones or black eyes.
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Seems frightened and reluctant to go home.
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Fear of a particular person or family
member.
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Seems unusually withdrawn or overly aggressive.
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Have numerous fractures, welts or bruises
in various stages of healing.
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| Signs of sexual child abuse |
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Sudden refusal in participation of physical
activities.
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Shows unusual sexual knowledge or behaviour.
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Have difficulty walking or sitting.
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Irritation of genital or anal areas.
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Juvenile prostitution, pregnancy or
sexually transmitted infections.
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| Signs of emotional child abuse |
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Apathy, depression and hostility.
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Shows extreme in behavior such as over
demanding or extreme passivity.
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Have attempted suicide.
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Have low self-esteem.
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Recurrent nightmares, disturbed sleep
patterns or a sudden fear of the dark.
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| Signs of child neglect |
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Hunger and inadequate growth from poor
nutrition.
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Consistently dirty, offensive body odour,
unkempt.
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Inappropriate and lack of sufficient clothing.
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Failure to get needed medical care, illness
left untreated.
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Poor school performance, tardiness or
absenteeism.
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While it is difficult to be certain that the
above signs result from abuse, they may be used to help identify
possible problems in a child's life that warrants attention.
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| Ways to prevent child abuse |
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Encourage open communication and honest
discussion with your children. Develop strong communication
skills with them and encourage them to tell you about anything
that happens to them. Explain the importance of reporting
abuse to you or another trusted adult.
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Make an effort to know your children’s
friends and the people whom they are spending time with.
Try to also participate in your children's activities, clubs
or sports teams. You will have a better opportunity to observe
how the adults in charge interact with your children. Be
suspicious if your children spend unexplained time with someone
outside of practices, meetings and events.
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Be sensitive to any changes in your
children's behavior or attitude. Pay attention if your children
tell you that they do not want to be with someone or go somewhere.
This may be an indication that something could be wrong.
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Teach your children what is and is not
acceptable from others. Tell them that they have the right
to say no to any unwelcome, uncomfortable or confusing touch
or actions by others. Tell them to inform you immediately
if this happens.
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Support your child. Let your child know
you care. Explain your concerns and tell your child why it
is important that you need to know who they are talking to
and what they are doing. Reassure them that you are there
to help and tell them that they will be respected and loved
under any circumstance.
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Know your children's online activities and friends. Learn
more about the websites they visit, what they use the Internet
for and the people they are talking to. Tell your children
never to plan a face to face meeting with people they have
met through the Internet. |
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If you suspect a case of child abuse, you may need to seek
support from your health department, child support services
department or other sources within your area. List for yourself
whom to call for advice, information, and help. You may also
look in your phone book for social services or other local
agencies that deal with abused children. |
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Disclaimer:
While Kurnia uses reasonable efforts to include accurate and up to
date information on this website, Kurnia does not guarantee or
warrant the quality, accuracy, completeness, timeliness, appropriateness
or suitability of the above information. |
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