Monday, April 25, 2011

Child Abuse


I think we need to open our eyes towards child abuse as in our society nothing much is done about it. However the main concern is "When" and "How" do we tell children?


It is essential that parents talk to their children openly on issues related to physical abuse, interaction with strangers and so on. Communication is the most important aspect in these issues. Make it loud and clear to your child that you are available at all times to listen to their problems or opinions. And however silly it sounds be patient while hearing to them so that the comfort level of the child goes up!


I feel it's always better to have mock dramas in the house to educate the child as to how to deal with common situations involving strangers. It leaves a lasting impression on the child's mind than mere words of advice!


I guess these things could help :-
1. Communicate with children: about safety, how to stay away from danger and how to raise an alarm

2. Try to hire a secured transport for children to and fro from school


3. We need to work as a society to keep our eyes on kids, not just ours but others as well. This is probably the only way to keep the kids safe.


Preventing child abuse:-

1. Volunteer your time. Get involved with other parents in your society. Help vulnerable children and their families.

2. Discipline your children thoughtfully. Never discipline your child when you are upset. Give yourself time to calm down. Remember that discipline is a way to teach your child.

3. Use privileges to encourage good behavior and time-outs to help your child regain control.

4. Examine your behavior. Abuse is not just physical. Both words and actions can inflict deep, lasting wounds.

5. Be a nurturing parent. Use your actions to show children and other adults that conflicts can be settled without hitting or yelling.

6. Educate yourself and others. Simple support for children and parents can be the best way to prevent child abuse. After-school activities, parent education classes, mentoring programs, and respite care are some of the many ways to keep children safe from harm. Be a voice in support of these efforts in your society.


7. Teach children their rights. When children are taught they are special and have the right to be safe, they are less likely to think abuse is their fault, and more likely to report an offender. Support prevention programs. Too often, intervention occurs only after abuse is reported.


8. Greater investments are needed in programs that have been proven to stop the abuse before it occurs -- such as family counseling and home visits by nurses who provide assistance for newborns and their parents.


9. Know what child abuse is. Physical and sexual abuse clearly constitute maltreatment, but so does neglect, or the failure of parents or other care givers to provide a child with needed food, clothing, and care.

10. Children can also be emotionally abused when they are rejected, berated, or continuously isolated.


11. Know the signs. Unexplained injuries aren't the only signs of abuse-depression. Fear of a certain adult, difficulty trusting others or making friends, sudden changes in eating or sleeping patterns, inappropriate sexual behavior, poor hygiene, secrecy, and hostility are often signs of family problems and may indicate a child is being neglected or physically, sexually, or emotionally abused.


12. Report abuse. If you witness a child being harmed or see evidence of abuse, or if a child tells you about abuse, make a report to your state's child protective services department or local police.


13. When talking to a child about abuse, listen carefully, assure the child that he or she did the right thing by telling an adult, and affirm that he or she is not responsible for what happened.


14. Encourage leaders in the society to be supportive of children and families. Ask employers to provide family-friendly work environments. Ask your local and national lawmakers to support legislation to better protect our children and to improve their lives.


Remember:- There's nothing more than kids need rather than "family support".


17 comments:

  1. Thank you for your thoughtful article on child abuse. I'm gla to see that you included neglect and psychological abuse as well. I'm afraid there is much more of this than we can imagine. As a retired teacher, I've seen so much. thanks for visiting my blog, Educationtipster. Please come again. My new book will be ready very soon. I'm so excited. it's called, "Trouble on Earth Day." It has 16 pages of activities in the back of the book!

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  2. What a wonderful post! I wish everyone would take this to heart and always do what is best for children.

    Hugs,
    Jacalyn

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  3. @Kathy:- Thanks a lot for your encourangement. Do come back again too.

    @Jacalyn;- Thanks sooo much. Hope to see you again.

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  4. This is very good!!!!!
    Well done. A subject that needs to be heard and understood!!!!
    Blessings Sr Crystal Lindsey

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  5. JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, I AM FEATURING YOUR SITE ON MY BLOG..
    WELL DONE...
    AND I AM YOUR RAINBOW BEACH, AUSTRALIA VISITOR.

    ON MY HEALTH ISSUES BLOG I HAVE WRITTEN ON CHILDREN WHO SUFFER FROM THALASSEMIA.

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  6. @ Crystal:- Thanks for visiting.. You too have a lovely informative blog out there.. Keep up the good work.. Cheers!

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  7. you surely have put your heart into building this blog. well-done! In our free society, we all need to be on the alert to people in power (including politicians, doctors, bankers, lawyers..) who might take unfair advantage on us; and it is everybody's responsibility to protect himself/herself and help those who might be harmed. And in this case, a child is certainly someone everybody should keep an eye on and to protect.

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  8. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I appreciate your comments. You have an important and informative site here.

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  9. thank you for this...i work with kids that have been abused and i agree on the need to communication and relationship with your kids that allows for these conversations...child abuse sucks...

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  10. @Paul:- Sure yes, it's the responsibility of each and every citizen to raise a voice against crime. And join hands to help eradicate the whole issue. Thanks a lot for your motivation. Hope to see you a lot more:-)

    @Syd:- Thanks for visiting. Do come by again.

    @ Brian:- I'm really glad to have found you out here. And even happier knowing that you really help such kids. God bless you for that. Do come over again.

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  11. Great article..I am sure you are bringing understanding to a lot of people out there! I like your point of being involved with families and so being part of the prevention of child abuse.

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  12. Thanks for visiting Carol... Hope to see you again :-)

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  13. Very well said. Excellent advice. We have to protect our little ones.

    Have a terrific day. :)

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  14. The most important lesson to learn is to listen to the children and show the respect they are worth.To prevent abuses against children should be at the highest priority in our society.

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  15. Great post! I myself have experienced abuse. I have a child with a mood disorder and his rages have left me bleeding and bruised, and he’s only 10 years old. Thankful due to medication, he is more stable. I wouldn't doubt that many abusers may need therapy and medication. But if there’s a stigma about mental illness, people won't seek help, instead they abuse others silently in their homes. We need to fight the stigma of mental illness so families won't have to suffer anymore.

    Thanks for visiting my blog
    http://mysonhas2brains.blogspot.com

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  16. child abuse is sad, unforgivable. There is no way to explain it nor understand it. An innocent life...deserves love. I can't understand anything other than love given to children.

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  17. @Sandee:- Thanks for coming over. Hope to see you again.

    @Mattias:- Very rightly said. Thanks for dropping by. Do come over again.

    @Mama Bear:- I agree. I'm really very fond of your blog too. Your a strong woman. Bravo. Hope to see you here a lot more.

    @Just_because_today:- Yeah! So true.Thanks for dropping your valuable comment. Do come again.

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