Harm experienced in childhood may have significant and lasting effects including emotional, psychological, and physical consequences. Child abuse involve the physical, sexual, psychological abuse or neglect of one or more children, especially by parent/s or caregiver/s. Child abuse may include any act or omission of a parent or caregiver that causes actual or potential harm to the child and may occur in the child’s home, school, in an organisation or community which the child interacts with.

 

Causes of Abuse

 

There are many reasons can cause child abuse. Lack of support from family, parents’ stress or unrealistic expectations, or even disability or mental illness could be the leading reasons . The WHO states, “Violence against children includes all forms of violence against people under 18 years old, whether perpetrated by parents or other caregivers, peers, romantic partners, or strangers.”

 

Type of Abuse

 

In 2006, the WHO classified child abuse into four types:

  • Physical harm – Most physical abuses happened in punishment which includes hitting, shaking, choking, smothering, throwing, burning, biting, poisoning, or using physical restraints. Not every physical abuse leaves visible marks or injuries.
  • Sexual abuse – Child sexual abuse is when an adult, a stronger child, or a teenager involves a child in sexual activity. It also can be physical, verbal, or emotional. It is estimated that the global prevalence of sexual abuse of children by women is 19.7%, and that of men is 7.9%. Most sexual abuse criminals know their victims; about 30% are relatives of children, usually brothers, fathers, uncles or cousins; about 60% are other acquaintances, such as family “friends”, Nanny or neighbour; in about 10% of child sexual abuse cases, strangers are criminals.
  • Emotional abuse – Emotional abuse occurs when children are exposed to ways that negatively affect their social, emotional, or intellectual development which can be caused by refusal, verbal abuse, teasing or bullying, yelling, criticism, isolating, or locking for a long time. Suffering from domestic violence and domestic violence can also lead to emotional harm.
  • Neglect – Child neglect includes failure to provide the required food, clothing, shelter, medical treatment, or supervision so that affecting children’s health and development. Poverty is closely linked but children from rich families may also be neglected.

 

Prevention and Protection

 

The abused child may feel guilty, ashamed, or confused. It’s most likely that the child is not willing to tell the abuse to others, especially when the abuser is a parent, relative, or someone close to the child. Therefore, it’s vital to watch the signs and symptoms and reported them immediately.

 

In Australia, statutory child protection is the responsibility of state and territory governments. Two legal systems, the civil legal system, and criminal legal system provide assistance to vulnerable children who are suspected of being abused, neglected or harmed, or whose parents cannot provide adequate care or protection. In Queensland, The Child protection Act provides protections from any significant harm or potential harm.

 

Morrison Specter has a team of professional lawyers to provide the best legal advice and strive for the maximum benefits.

 

statistics source from Wikipedia