Which characteristic occurs in children who experience child maltreatment?

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Research has revealed many risk factors or attributes associated with child maltreatment. These risk factors may potentially contribute to child abuse and neglect.

Parent or Caregiver Risk Factors:

1. Individual Characteristics: An individual’s risk factors may include mental health issues, adverse response to stress, and trauma history.
2. Substance Abuse: Studies have shown that between one and two-thirds of child maltreatment cases involve substance use to some degree.
3. Teen Parents: Studies of physical abuse, in particular, tell us that higher rates of child abuse occur when parents are in their teenage years.
4. Additional factors contributing to the risk factors listed above include lower socioeconomic status, lack of social support, and high-stress levels.

Child Risk Factors:

1. The child’s age, health—physical, mental, and emotional—and social development may increase susceptibility to abuse and neglect. Given their size, early development status, and need for constant care, infants and young children are more vulnerable to certain types of maltreatment, including abusive head trauma and physical or medical neglect.

Parenting Methods and Household Risk Factors:

1. The attitudes of the parents, family structure, and approach to raising the child(ren) are all potential risks for abuse and neglect.
2. Domestic violence is a frequent contributor to child maltreatment. In 30% to 60% of families where spousal abuse in involved, mistreatment of the child also occurs.

Community and Environmental Risk Factors:

1. The child’s neighborhood conditions, such as low socioeconomic status, presence of violence in his/her vicinity, and social attitudes, can place the child at greater risk for maltreatment.
2. Poverty can add to the probability of abuse and neglect. If this condition is added to other risk factors, including depression, substance abuse, and social isolation, the chances of maltreatment increase.

Other factors occurring simultaneously—parent and child characteristics, family situations, community violence and conditions—increase the risk as well.

Child abuse isn’t limited to one race/ethnic group, gender or age group, or social or economic status. Additional risk factors include a history of abuse or neglect as a child, physical or mental illness, family crisis or stress, unemployment, family isolation, and inadequate parenting skills.

An abused child may exhibit signs of guilt, shame or confusion. If the abuse involves a parent, relative, or family friend, it is likely he/she will be afraid to tell anyone about the maltreatment and develop a noticeable fear or discomfort when around parents, adult caregivers or family friends. It is vital to be on the alert for such red flags.

How can we mitigate these risks?

“Protective factors are conditions or attributes of individuals, families, communities, or the larger society that mitigate risk and promote healthy development and well-being.” – Child Welfare.gov.

CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County is dedicated to protecting the best interests of every abused or neglected child and ultimately break the cycle of child abuse, one child at a time. Someday, child abuse and neglect will hopefully be eliminated completely. Until that time, CASA needs volunteers to make a difference in the lives of children who have suffered from abuse and/or neglect.

If you suspect a child is the victim of abuse or neglect, call the Texas Abuse Hotline toll-free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, nationwide: 1-800-252-5400. Or report through the Texas Department of Family and Protective Service’s secure website and get a response within 24 hours: https://www.txabusehotline.org/Login/Default.aspx. (Please note, Texas DFPS cannot accept email reports of suspected abuse or neglect.)

If the child is in immediate danger, do not hesitate. Call 911.

The earlier assistance is provided, the better the outcome for the child.

CASA is dedicated to protecting the best interests of every abused or neglected child and ultimately break the cycle of child abuse, one child at a time. We need caring volunteers to assist with the numerous cases of child abuse and neglect.

Today, 185 children will be maltreated in Texas. Last year, more than 65,000 cases of abuse and neglect were confirmed in Texas alone. One in four girls are sexually abused before their eighteenth birthday, and one in six boys suffer sexual abuse. Here we identify the four main types of child maltreatment with the hope of alerting and educating our readers of the different types of child abuse, the resulting symptoms, and the devastating lasting effects.

The four different main types of child abuse are physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse.

Physical Abuse

Physical Abuse is the deliberate intention to inflict pain. When someone hears the term “child abuse”, they most commonly associate it with physical abuse. Wounds, bruises, burns, fractures, and sore muscles are signs of physical abuse, but abuse can also result from severe acts of discipline. Injuries that don’t coincide with the explanation and untreated medical or dental needs are also red flags for physical abuse.

Emotional Abuse

Behaviors toward the child that cause mental anguish are considered emotional abuse (also called psychological abuse). Examples of emotional abuse are shouting often at the child, withholding kindness or affection, extended periods of silence, and harsh jokes at the expense of the child. Calling the child names or making other demeaning remarks can be termed emotional abuse and usually results in low self-esteem. Children who have been emotionally abused may suffer from depression or desperately seek affection. Other symptoms include social withdrawal and delayed or inappropriate emotional development.

Neglect

Parents or caregivers who are continually unavailable for the child are considered neglectful. Even if the parent is physically present but unavailable or refuses to care for the child or meet his/her needs, neglect occurs. Imagine a young child left at home alone for extended periods of time with no food in the house and an infant sibling to care for—this would be an example of child neglect. The parent may have a substance abuse problem, mental illness, or be too consumed with a job or another person to properly care for the child. The warning signs for neglect include poor growth, weight loss or gain, poor hygiene, lack of appropriate clothing or supplies to meet their needs, stuffing themselves at one meal and hiding food for later, or stealing food or money. Neglect is the most common type of child abuse.

Sexual Abuse

Touching a child in a sexual manner, or having sexual relations with the child is sexual abuse and includes any behavior toward the child for sexual stimulation. This type of abuse is characterized by fondling, forced sexual acts, and indecent physical exposure. Whether the abuse occurs as an isolated incident or as repetitive conduct that continues for years, both types are considered sexual abuse of a child. Often, the perpetrators are the child’s relatives or people closest to the family – individuals who no one imagined would commit such deeds. These behaviors in a child can signal sexual abuse: knowledge or promotion of sexual behavior premature for his/her age; sudden difficulty with toilet habits in a young child; pain or itching, bruises or bleeding in the genital area. Other symptoms are trouble sitting or walking, blood in his/her underwear, and sexual abuse of other children.

Long Term Effects of Child Abuse

Lasting damage can be inflicted by all types of abuse. The effects of child abuse go far deeper than the physical marks left behind. The child may develop relationship issues and experience trust problems. Feelings of being worthless or low self-esteem issues are common, and the child may exhibit difficulty-controlling emotions.

CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County works to help abused and neglected children who have been removed from their homes and placed in the foster care system. CASA volunteers serve as the “eyes and ears” for the judge in child welfare cases. This includes researching each child’s situation and making objective recommendations to help them reclaim their childhoods from abuse and neglect. CASA volunteers are frequently the only stable presence in these children’s lives as they navigate the foster care system.

These volunteers bring three critical qualities to their work: they focus on one case at a time; they bring a unique perspective to the court case; and their sole objective is representing the best interests of the child.

We are actively seeking kind hearts to fulfill this role. Contact us today to learn more about how to become a CASA Advocate and the difference an Advocate can make in a child’s life.

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