Child abuse

School talk : Ms Naiker

Definition : “Any action or inaction which is detrimental to the physical, emotional and developmental well-being of the child. It includes (but is not limited to) neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual harassment and sexual abuse.” (WC Dept. Ed.)

Incidence (2009)
 Still very high - over 4000 cases of neglect and ill-treatment of children reported last year
 Most not reported
 Many more could be included under sexual offences of which 71 000 were reported for 2009
 Child abuse is usually found in 70% of domestic violence cases
 The Childline Toll free number receives approximately 60000 to 90000 calls per month across all the provinces.

5 Areas of child abuse
 Physical abuse (beatings)
 Sexual abuse( rape and sexual assault)
 Psychological abuse-breaking down the mental state of the child with ridicule or humiliating him/her (insults, threats, unkind words)
 Emotional abuse –breaking down child emotionally with swearing, shouting, or ignoring–causing severe emotional upsets
 Neglect (financial abuse)-not providing for the child’s basic needs in terms of food , shelter or education

Factors involved in child abuse
• Social systems approach
 Speak of factors –not causes
 Issues relating to the child cannot be separated from family issues, culture and role of society (form a circular pattern of interaction)
• The role of stress
 Stress has been found to be the major factor leading to violence and child abuse in families –abuse usually set off by an incident

• The child’s personality or characteristics
 Child is hyperactive -causing stress to parents
 Child is demanding –learning problems,
 Child has lack of discipline-(esp step-parents) – stress
 Child is vulnerable, whining, (babies) sickly or disabled (high maintenance)
 Child is disliked (esp step-children) unattractive, or parent is resentful towards child
(note the importance of the relationship with the child)
 No early bonding or absent parent

• The family circumstances
 Parent inherited certain traits (low frustration, quick temper )
 Parent has personality problems ( low self-esteem, bad self-image-bully, anti-social or dominant personality)
 Dysfunctional family (domestic violence, alcohol or drug abuse-not coping)
 Parent has problems -past trauma, depression, other mental problems
 Bad child–rearing practices (very strict, religious or cultural beliefs –patriarchal)
(corporal punishment)
 Lack of parental skills –cannot deal with conflict or children (not coping)
 Stress in family circumstances ( large family, single parent, marital problems, work or money problems)

• Social factors
 Family shut off from community or extended family (class or bad relationships no help available)
 Stressful socioeconomic conditions –unemployment, crime, bad housing, poverty,
lack of services (bad lifestyle)
 Social pressures on parents regarding children - focus on performance, success , money)
 Social class –ignored or isolated (social attitudes)
 Cultural or religious values and beliefs regarding children (culture of violence)
 Availability of community resources (churches, school guidance, help-centres, shelters, counseling, social welfare , NGO’s (Childline etc)
 Role of media-TV, films and magazine can increase family pressures -promote violence, advertising (alcohol)

• Physical indicators of child abuse
 Bruises on uncommonly injured body surfaces
 High incidence of accidents or frequent injuries.
 Fractures/broken bones in unusual places such as the skull, ribs etc
 Lacerations, burns, injuries, swellings to face and extremities
 Discolouration of skin, blunt-instrument marks, human hand marks
 Evidence of poor care/failure to thrive.

• Behaviour associated with child abuse
 Avoids physical contact and is suspicious of others (withdrawal)
 Seems frightened of parents
 Has difficulty getting along with others (aggressive and often hurts peers)
 Overly anxious or otherwise depressed
 Wears clothing to purposely conceal injury and refuses to undress for sport
 Gives inconsistent versions about occurrences of injuries
 Comes to school early and seems reluctant to go home afterwards or Is often late/absent from school
 Has a history of running away from home

• Solutions

 Education of the child –prevention and education programmes in schools, communities and other contexts. (as provided by Childline)-these provide information on children’s rights, what is child abuse, HIV/AIDS, responsible relationships and sexual behaviour
 Children need to be encouraged to speak to someone they trust or to phone help organisations such as Lifeline or Childline
 Education of parents –dealing with stress-related issues (coping and parenting skills)
 Involvement of community and NGO’s (Childline, Lifeline, churches, societies, educational Ngo’s)
 Involvement of government –school monitoring, child welfare institutions and police
(application of Domestic violence Act and Child Care act)


References
Barlow, D.H.& Durand, V.M. (2002). Abnormal psychology: An integrated approach. (3rd ed.). Belmont : Wadsworth/Thompson Learning.
Coleman, J., Butcher, J., Carson, R.(Ed.)( 1984). Abnormal Psychology and Modern Life. N.J.: Scott, Foresman and company.
Fein, G. (1978 ). Child development. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
Havelin, Kate. (1961). Child abuse: Why do my parents hit me?. U.S.A : Capstone Press.
Articles
Browne, D.H. (1988).High risk infants and child maltreatment .Early child development and care , 31, 43-53.
Farrington, K. (1986) The application of stress theory to the study of family violence. Journal of family violence,1(2),131-148.
Gelles, R.J.,& Strauss, M.A.(1979).Violence in the American Family. Journal of Social Issues,35(2), 15-38.
Internet articles
http://www.childline.org.za/
http://www.wced.wcape.gov.za
http://www.wced.wcape.gov.za/documents/abuse/abuse_12.html.
http://www.saps.gov.za/children/child_abuse.htm http://www.saps.gov.za/statistics/reports/crimestats/2009/categories.htm