Child Abuse and its Impact
When a parent, guardian, caretaker, or anyone who through their actions or negligence causes physical, emotional, or sexual harm to a child it is called child abuse. A lot of people have a misconception that child abuse is only when there is physical violence towards a child, but it is not true. Psychological and sexual abuse are important factors taken into consideration concerning child abuse.
Many a time, abuse is used as a way to discipline a child by parents and other authority figures, and sometimes children become objects to vent their anger and frustration. Those are the real coward and mentally weak people who do not have control over their anger and their actions and resort to abusing children because they think children are no match to their strength and intellect. This is also a reason why children should be taught to defend themselves via self-defense classes and children and most importantly people in charge of children should be educated on child abuse and should know how to behave with children and how not to.
No motive can be justified for being the reason for child abuse and if you find out that you have been a reason behind mistreating your child then you should straightaway quit that act and quickly try to change it and make your child's life easier and better so that when that child grows up, they know how to treat children so they don’t end up in your footsteps abusing and mistreating others. This is just as important as education for children and child abuse should have been left in the past but it is still our sad reality.
Not only does the healthy upbringing of a child depend on food and education but also taking care of his emotions and not violating him in any way is important and these needs should be met daily.
By now we know that there is not just a single type of abuse, different forms of child abuse can cause different types of harm to a child.
PHYSICAL ABUSE
When a person deliberately causes physical harm to another it is called physical abuse. Physical abuse includes beating, cutting, pulling, throwing, or any other type of physical torment. This is the most common and well-known type of abuse.
Oftentimes an alcoholic parent is a reason for physical abuse. Other reasons like drug addiction, mental illness, and financial stress are more often causes for child abuse.
PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE
When a person causes emotional distress to someone and affects their mental health it is called psychological abuse. This type of abuse can be found in different environments but due to the nature of the abuse, the offender is generally the one closer to the child like a relative, grandparent, teacher, friend, or parent. This form of abuse can change a child completely and it may become noticeable due to the actions of the child and this is very problematic for the emotional development of a child. It may cause serious fear, stress, panic, or depression.
SEXUAL ABUSE
Millions of boys and girls around the world have to come across sexual exploitation. Sexual violence happens in all parts of our society may that be urban or rural, rich or poor, modern or backward. Technology is also used in devious ways by the aggressors to abuse children. It is also common that the child is usually abused by the person close to them like their relative, neighbor, friends, or family.
The aggressor is usually the one who is trusted by the child and his family. The reported number of girls that are forced to perform sexual favors is less than the actual number of girls being sexually abused because some keep quiet, some panic and stay in shock and some are murdered or commit suicide. Even thousands of boys never reveal to anyone that they previously had been sexually abused, our society is the main reason sexually abused victims don’t find their voices to stand up for themselves as the society looks down at the sexually abused, even though they were forced and abused, the society makes it the fault of the victims. Sexual abuse causes not only physical abuse but also affects the victim psychologically leaving them scarred for life. Hence this type of abuse on children is even more serious as it leaves long-term effects on the victims that are usually permanent. It causes the victims health issues like depression, suicidal thoughts, mental disorders, and drug addiction.
ABANDONMENT
This is a type of abuse when a crucial need of the child is not met by the parent or guardian. It can be basic needs like food, hygiene, or safety. Total abandonment of children occurs when a parent or guardian leaves the child alone without making sure it is looked after. It can cause negative effects like direct damage to a child's mental health and development like malnutrition, no medical attention, no education, and accidents.
The victims of child abuse live a life in which it is difficult for them to build healthy relationships with others and enjoy their life together.