Patterns and Effects of Child Abuse: Healing Our Children's Wounds

Over the years, child abuse has become a steadily recurring problem. Not only does child abuse affect society, it affects children all across the United States physically, emotionally, sexually, and mentally. Everyday children are suffering the harmful effects of abuse which is often inflicted upon them by members of their own families. Sadly, as children are seeking the love and protection they deserve, they are often becoming the victims of abuse and neglect. It's a shame that over 3 million children are abused or neglected in the U.S. alone (Vachss, p.2). We cannot allow our children to become endangered species. It's time to take a hard look at how children are being treated and step forward to fight these crimes being committed against them. Children are suffering long term consequences such as emotional, mental, and physical scarring as a result of the abuse and neglect being inflicted upon them.

The four main types of child abuse are physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and child neglect. Physical abuse is defined as the infliction of physical injury such as hitting, biting, kicking, punching, burning, or physically harming a child in any way (Santrock, p. 271). In some cases, physical abuse may be unintended as a result of physical punishment being taken too far. No matter the intention of physical abuse, it can result in long term injury and even death. Children who are physically abused can suffer fractured bones, bruising, scarring, and brain injuries. Many children who suffer this type of abuse have serious physical and psychological consequences concerning their health and well-being.