Child Abuse

There are about 3 million cases of child neglect and mistreatment reported every year, according to the U.S. Children's Bureau. In 2009, the UCB received 3.3 million reports regarding about 6 million children. Child abuse can refer to physical, sexual or psychological abuse and neglect of a child. It can also refer to a parent or guardian's refusal to get a child needed medical attention.

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A majority of the abuse cases in America involve neglect. A lot of children don’t even realize they are being neglected if this is all they have known. They grow independent and learn how to survive on their own without the traditional parental support in place. Often times it takes teachers, neighbors or friends of family over long periods of time to really catch on that there is a problem or that the children are indeed being neglected.

Often times child abuse can go undetected for long periods of time, especially in cases where a child is being verbally or psychologically abused. This type of abuse typically does not leave marks and can go undetected for quite awhile. Signs of verbal or psychological abuse can include nervousness, bedwetting, withdrawal from peers and activities and depression. If you suspect a child is being abused, you should report it immediately.

To report maltreatment, one can contact a state's Child Protective Services, Department of Family Services or any other state department that overseas child welfare. One or two days after the report is filed, a case worker will be sent to investigate the abuse claim. If the claim is true, then the child or children subjected to abuse will be removed from the household and taken into temporary custody by a relative or foster family. Every six months, the birth parents will be evaluated for progress and ability to be reunited with their children. If the parent or parents show no progress his, her or their parental rights will be involuntarily terminated and the child or children will be placed with an adoptive family.

In 2006, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published research regarding long-term consequences of child abuse, which suggested abused children were 25 percent more likely to experience teen pregnancy in addition to being arrested as an adult and committing a violent crime. Victims of abuse can harbor emotional scars for a lifetime without proper counseling. If you or someone you know is or has been a victim of child abuse, make sure they get the help they need in order to heal.