What is Child Abuse?
Child abuse is physical or emotional maltreatment towards a child. Child abuse also includes neglect.
Emotional abuse is when someone uses their words or actions to manipulate or put a child down. This could also be putting fear into a child. Emotional abuse is just as dangerous as any other form of abuse because of how detrimental it is to a child's mental health.
Physical Abuse is inflicting physical pain on a child. This can be hitting, kicking, shaking, leaving marks, cuts, bruises, and broken bones.
Neglect is when a caregiver denies a child their needs, this being physical or psychological needs. Neglect affects a child's development and health.
Why is it Important?
Child Abuse is important to me because as a teacher, I am a mandated reporter. As a mandated reporter I am required to report any case of child abuse or neglect. One in six children in the United States will experience child abuse. The CDC said this might not be an accurate number because not all child abuse cases are reported. This is a devastating issue and even how common it is. Children who experience child abuse or neglect may experience long-term effects that continue throughout their adulthood. This could be emotional or psychological effects, such as PTSD.
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