Forms of Child Abuse - Essay Example

?Child Abuse Introduction In Canada, 50-year old grandparents were sentenced to 3 years in prison after it was discovered that they locked their 3-year old granddaughter in a furnace room, frequently struck about the head, and was not fed at times. (CBC News) In Buffalo, New York, a stepfather was charged with second-degree murder when he confessed to beating his 10-year-old stepson to death while the boy’s hands were tied and his mouth was taped with a sock inside. (Shapiro & Lenihan) In the Philippines, a father was charged with molesting his 9-year-old daughter on Christmas Eve of 2011. (Casas) In Portugal, a case involving the sexual abuse of minors in a state-run network of homes and schools finally received judgment after it was initially heard more than five years prior. (Roberts) It is both shocking and disheartening that the abuse of children, despite the legal sanctions in place in every part of the world, is still so rampant. This paper will attempt to discuss the history of child abuse, the different forms of the crime and the punishment set for abusers. Historical Background Throughout history, children have been abused and neglected. This is said to be a result of the low value placed on children. (Weisberg) The maltreatment of children has its roots in ancient times. Two examples from the Bible that stand out are when a Pharaoh orders babies to be killed during Moses’ time and when King Herod instructs the killing of infants during Christ’s birth. It is said that children were considered “property” in ancient times and were easily sold, mutilated, killed or used as sacrifice for the gods. (Volpe) This disregard for children continued until the Middle Ages. During this period, unwanted children served as apprentices while those with deformities were declared omens of evil and were killed. (Child Abuse) Parents and even teachers in the Medieval Period believed that beating the child was the norm for instilling discipline. (Snell) Because society did not see it wrong parents teach their children by way of spanking or hitting the latter, most of the reported cases of child abuse were between masters and servants, who were children. (Child Abuse) The case of Mary Allen McCormack in 1874 was the first time a victim of child abuse was brought out in the open. McCormack had been given up for adoption and was physically abused by her adoptive mother until her neighbors brought her case to the Department of Public Charities and Corrections. (Markel) Ironically, the case was initiated by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as there were no laws to protect children from physical abuse inflicted by parents. Fortunately, the case triggered movements for the formulation and enforcement of laws to rescue and protect abused children. (Watkins) Forms of Child Abuse According to the World Health Organization, child abuse and neglect is defined as “all forms of physical and emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation that results in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, development or dignity.” (Child Maltreatment) Physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and negligent treatment, emotional abuse and exploitation are the five types of child abuse. Each of these may be described in various ways in different nations. In the United States for example, although the Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) gives the minimum criterion for physical child abuse, child neglect, and sexual abuse, it also only defines sexual abuse and special cases concerning withholding or failing to provide medically indicated treatment. (Pecora, et. al.) Physical abuse is generally inflicting bodily harm to a child when in anger. The trauma should be non-accidental. This is also referred to battered child syndrome. People who beat children are often those abused themselves when they were young. Nevertheless, alcoholism, domestic violence, drug abuse, lack of education, poverty and being a single parent can increase the risk of abuse. (Child Abuse - Physical) Sexual abuse of children may not involve body contact between the child, an adult or an older child since pressuring children for sex, exposing their private parts or using them for pornography can also be called abuse. (Child Sexual Abuse) Most incidents occur between perpetrators who are familiar with the victims. Because of this, the number of sexual abuse cases may not be accurate as some victims are in fear of coming out into the open. Even though all types of child abuse leave a negative psychological impression on the victims, emotional abuse on its own are acts which target the child’s basic emotional needs. (Reyes, et.al.) Examples of these may be humiliation, threats, exploitation, emotional unresponsiveness or exposure to violent and chaotic environments. When a caregiver, by omission, fails to give the child what he/she needs to develop such as health, education, nutrition, shelter and safe living conditions, this constitutes child abuse in the form of neglect and negligent treatment. (NCS) Exploitation happens when a child is utilized for the benefit of others as when the former is made to work. This includes child labor and prostitution. While some countries report physical maltreatment as the most common type of child abuse, others show high numbers for sexual abuse and still others claim it is neglect and negligent treatment. Penalties for offenders Recognizing the problem of child abuse started in the 1800s when the first orphanages were established. Eventually, the government started to take steps in creating laws that would prevent child abuse and neglect. Agencies were established to focus efforts of protecting children and pursuing child welfare. Around the world, governments have different ways in punishing offenders of child abuse, especially sex abuse. In the United Kingdom, for example, corporeal punishment is considered illegal only if there is bruising on the child. (Hale) In America, child molestation can result to, among others, “registration as a sex offender, years of formal probation, jail time or a state prison, fines, psychiatric counseling, community service.” (Sex) Children advocates in Taiwan are calling for a stronger version of the country’s existing law on physical and verbal abuse which states that, “those who abuse or obstruct the natural development of children under 16 years of age should be detained, sentences to a maximum of five years in prison, or pay a maximum fine of NT$500.” (Soong) In most countries, there are civil and criminal remedies for victims of child abuse. The problem lies in reporting the offense. Because the victims are children who can easily be coerced into not admitting the truth or may be too embarrassed to approach other individuals for help, these sanctions cannot be enforced immediately. Most of the time, the abuse has already caused lasting physical and emotional trauma or death as what happened to the Somali boy. Moreover, in many cases, the offenders themselves are people who, for the victims, are figures of authority. This fact discourages the victim to speak out because of fear and, possibly, blind loyalty. Conclusion In Yemen, children as young as four can be found working as its law has no definition or prohibition for child abuse. (Bureau) As of October 2006, the United Nations reported “up to 80 to 98% of children suffer physical punishments in their homes.” (Hopper) This information only goes to show that child abuse is still very much a part of today’s society. Regardless of the numerous child welfare agencies or policies in place to protect children, the maltreatment of these young individuals continues to be a big social and legal problem today as it was years ago. It is also disappointing to note that the very people tasked to safeguard these members of society are the very same people who cause physical, emotional and psychological pain. The existing policies are obviously not enough to eradicate or even decrease the number of child abuse cases globally. It is suggested that governments find other alternatives to solve this prevalent problem. It is quite ironic that society can come up with the technology to create another being from aluminum but have yet to find an effective way to protect an innocent and helpless child. It should be remembered that not everyone in the world was given children. Some even go to great lengths just to have one child to call their own. There may or may not be a reason for this but definitely those who were lucky enough to have kids should consider them a gift to be valued and taken care of. Works Cited: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. “Yemen”. U.S. Department of State. 11 March 2008. Web. 25 April 2012. Casas, Arianne Caryl. “Pa faces charges for raping daughter.” Sun Star. 23 January 2012 Web. 24 April 2012. CBC News. “Grandparents get 3 years for child abuse, neglect.” www.cbc.ca. 24 April 2012. Web. 25 April 2012. “Child Abuse – A History – Overview”. Library Index. n.d. Web. 25 April 2012. “Child Abuse – Physical”. The New York Times. 24 January 2011. Web. 24 April 2012. “Child Maltreatment”. World Health Organization. n.d. Web. 25 April 2012. “Child Sexual Abuse”. Medline Plus. 4 October 2011. Web. 24 April 2012. Hale, Beth. “Physically punishing a child with a smack (or a kick) is NOT against the law, says senior woman judge.” Mail Online. 31 July 2009. Web. 24 April 2012. Hopper, Jim. “Official Statistics: International”. JimHopper.com. 12 January 2012. Web. 24 April 2012. Markel, Howard. “Case Shined First Light on Abuse of Children.” The New York Times. 14 December 2009. Web. 25 April 2012. Pecora, Peter, et. al. The Child Welfare Challenge: Policy, Practice, and Research. New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers, 2010. Reyes, Gilbert, et. al. The Encyclopedia of Psychological Trauma. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2008. Wiley.com. Web. 24 April 2012. Roberts, Alison. “How child sex abuse case stunned Portugal.” BBC News. 3 September 2010. Web. 25 April 2012. Sex Crimes Law Blog. “What is the penalty for Child Molestation, Sexual Assault, Sexual Battery, Prostitution or Lewd Conduct?” Lawyers.com. 5 July 2007. Web. 25 April 2012. Shapiro, Nalina & Lenihan, Emily. “Could boy’s murder have been prevented?” WIVB.COM. 25 April 2012. Web. 23 April 2012. Snell, Melissa. “The Medieval Child, Part 4: The Playful Years, Page Three: Childbirth, Childhood and Adolescence in the Middle Ages”. About.com. December 2000. Web. 25 April 2012. Soong, Grace. “Child abuse penalties too mild: lawmaker.” Chinapost.com.tw. 16 April 2012. Web. 24 April 2012. The National Counselling Service (NCS). “What is child abuse?” www.hse-ncs.ie. n.d. Web. 25 April 2012. Volpe, Richard. “Child Abuse”. The Canadian Encyclopedia. n.d. Web. 25 April 2012. “Mary Ellen Wilson: How One Girl’s Plight Started the Child-Protection Movement”. American Humane Association. 2011. Web. 25 April 2012. Weisberg, D. Kelly. Family Law. New York: Aspen Publishers, 2008. Print. Read More