Child Abuse - Survey & Comments


Beyond cases reported to authorities, little knowledge exists on the types, amount, and effects of childhood victimization. Through a national survey of adolescents, researchers examined the prevalence of sexual assault, physical assault, physically abusive punishment, and witnessing an act of violence and subsequent effects on mental health, substance use, and delinquent behavior problems. Gender and racial/ethnic specific findings are translated into national estimates.

Research findings include (from the U.S. Department of Justice):

1. Rates of interpersonal violence and victimization of 12 to 17 year-olds in the United States were extremely high, and witnessing violence is considerably more common.

2. Black and native American adolescents were victimized more than whites, Hispanics, and Asians in each type of victimization. Much of the violence experienced by youths is perpetrated by peers or someone the victim knows well. Most sexual assaults (86 percent) and physical assaults (65 percent) went unreported.

3. A clear relationship exists between youth victimization and mental health problems and delinquent behavior. For example:

~ Negative outcomes in victims of sexual assault were three to five times the rate observed in non victims.

~ Girls who witnessed violence were nearly twice as likely as boys to experience post traumatic stress disorder.

This nationally representative sample does not include adolescents from homes without telephones and certain high-risk adolescents (i.e., those who were homeless or housed in jails, juvenile correctional facilities, or inpatient mental health treatment facilities).

These are disturbing statistics and are supported by the well known syndrome that rape cases go largely unreported. Many times, children are embarrassed to report abuse, especially sexual abuse, which allows the perpetrator more time to continue with the child (and others). The National Center for Child Abuse and Neglect estimates that there are almost one million children in the US that suffer life threatening physical violence each year.

Some parents believe that physical violence is a way of changing the child's behavior. They do not realize how much damage can be done to the child both physically and emotionally. Acting from "innocence," such parents can do irreparable harm to their own progeny.

It is essential that parents and family friends become aware of the abuse schemes that exist. That they observe any changes in the child's behavior. And, most importantly, is is absolutely necessary that parents be open with children and that children know they can be open with parents!

This and much more, abstracted from the book "Empowering Children." If you want to read more, see:

http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/description.asp?ISBN=0-7414-2331-6

Dr. Malkin holds a B.Sc. in Business and a Masters and Ph.D. in Religion. He has made hundreds of visits to schools with a moving and effective motivational presentation, urging teens to do their personal best. His mentoring programs have empowered many, many children. His quest for years has been to teach the power of Right Action, working towards the goal of a better world.







Related News



Man sentenced to 18 months for cat stabbing - WTHI

Man sentenced to 18 months for cat stabbing
WTHI, IN -6 hours ago
Under the plea agreement, Collins must receive counseling and attend parenting classes and substance abuse treatment. The judge also prohibited Collins from ...
Cat killer gets 18 months for 'despicable act'Muncie Star Press
all 3 news articles

Father to gallery: leave parenting to parents - Canada.com

Father to gallery: leave parenting to parents
Canada.com, Canada -Aug 25, 2008
"I am appalled that an agency of the federal government would think it had the right to tell a parent how they can hold their child, that they are going to ...

The Observer - Sarnia Observer

The Observer
Sarnia Observer,  Canada -3 hours ago
As part of the Cross Canada Crusade to Support Equal Parenting after Divorce, F4J Ontario Director Denis Van Decker said the goal is to push for changes to ...
Posted By SHAWN GIILCK, ENTERPRISE-BULLETINCollingwood Enterprise Bulletin
all 2 news articles

CW Shows This Fall have Coddled Kids - EntertainmentToday.net

CW Shows This Fall have Coddled Kids
EntertainmentToday.net, CA -8 hours ago
We think this generation of parenting is different than the ones we grew up with. We, as parents, did almost everything that our kids are doing. ...

Struggles of single parenting - Waseca County News

Waseca County News

Struggles of single parenting
Waseca County News, MN -3 hours ago
Bjerklie’s parents, who live in Bjerklie’s hometown of Fergus Falls, Minn., have a tight-knit relationship with Hannah, and Bjerklie also has brothers who ...

Sarah Palin's Feminists for Life Membership Points to Pro-Woman ... - LifeNews.com

LifeNews.com

Sarah Palin's Feminists for Life Membership Points to Pro-Woman ...
LifeNews.com, MT -9 hours ago
Feminists for Life has spearheaded efforts to make sure pregnant and parenting college students, who have the highest abortion rates in the nation, ...
FFL Member Nominated for Vice President of the United StatesMarketWatch
Feminists for Life thrilled to see Sarah Palin as vice ...Catholic News Agency
Pro-Life Feminist Group: Planned Parenthood Stole Our Line on ...LifeNews.com
all 9 news articles

Parish needs more foster parents - Natchez Democrat

Parish needs more foster parents
Natchez Democrat, MS -8 minutes ago
In that same region, there are approximately 200 foster parents. In Concordia Parish, there are only 10 foster parents, but there are 30 foster children in ...

Amherst Center: Lessons for town in kids' allowance debate - Amherst Bulletin

Amherst Center: Lessons for town in kids' allowance debate
Amherst Bulletin, MA -Aug 28, 2008
Usually those things don't get mixed up together, but not too long ago one of us had a parenting and town management moment. There we were, sitting at the ...

What it takes to be a good parent in today’s culture - The Prairie Star

What it takes to be a good parent in today’s culture
The Prairie Star, MT -5 hours ago
Quality of parenting is declining. It is not just the environment but the quality of parenting that is causing the difficulty. The decline in society can be ...

PBJ poll: Drink up, teens - Bizjournals.com

PBJ poll: Drink up, teens
Bizjournals.com, NC -13 hours ago
It is the lack of responsible parenting.” • “It can’t be 18 because drinking should NEVER be legal for a high school student.” • “The Europeans manage just ...
Peer reviews boozersChicago Tribune
all 5 news articles