FORMS OF CHILD ABUSE PREVALENT IN MY LOCALITY AND HOW THEY CAN BE AVOIDED BY @eddyiddy // 20% PAYOUT TO @steemkidss
WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE?
Child abuse in its simplest form refers to any form of ill-treatment intentionally carried out or done towards a child under the age of 18. It important to note here that Child abuse is not merely physical violence done to a child. It encompasses all forms of maltreatment by an adult which is violent or threatening for the child. There are different forms of Child abuse, some include;
• Physical abuse.
• Emotional or psychological abuse.
• Physical neglect.
• Sexual abuse.
Child abuse is very common in today’s society, day in day out we see, hear and read of cases of Adults constantly abusing children whether physically, emotionally or sexually.
In my locality, the most common cases of child abuse is;
*PHYSICAL; and
*SEXUAL.
WHAT IS CHILD PHYSICAL ABUSE?
Child physical abuse as put forward by the World Health Organisation (1999) can be seen to be or referred to as actions or inactions, which poses potential physical harm, that can be controlled or prevented by the parent, care giver or authorised persons such as teachers.
What this means is that any physical harm that can be prevented by an adult towards a child but is ignored or rather inflicted on purpose is termed physical abuse. This is very rampant in Africa because beating a child with a cane or stick is the generally accepted way of disciplining children. Because of this custom, many parent, care givers and adult often overstep the boundary of moderate discipline, turning it to physical abuse or torture. This is detrimental to the child’s health psychologically and even physically.
WHAT IS CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE?
Child Sexual abuse refers to any unacceptable activity carried out by an adult towards a child for sexual satisfaction either by using force, threatening or taking advantage of victims. This form of abuse can equally be termed “child molestation” and is simply using a child by an adult or adolescent for sexual stimulation or pleasure.
It involves;
• Exhibitionism; Being naked in front of a child
• Caressing a child
• Outright Intercourse
• Masturbation; either in front of the child of forcing the child to
• Obscene conversations; via the phone or through text messages
• Producing and sharing pornographic images or movies of children
• Any form of sex with vaginal, oral, or anal inclusive.
• Sex trafficking.
• And generally any sexual contact with a child.
WHO IS AT RISK THE MOST? MALE OR FEMALE?
Realistically, both male and female are at risk of being abused.
Physical abuse in Africa is suffered by both male and female children. I saw a woman in my locality who in an attempt to correct a child’s wrong forcefully ripped off a young girls arm, how sad!
The other boy was tied up side down to a tree and beaten with a wire all over his body by his uncle.
Both are terrible experiences, suffered by both gender. So we can rightfully conclude that child physical abuse is not peculiar to any gender in this part of the world.
When it comes to Child Sexual abuse, it is not totally out of place to admit that it seems to be more rampant with the girl child, this is due to the fact that sexual urges in men is a little more wild than in women. Uncles, teachers, and family friends are often perpetrators of this disgraceful act, taking advantage of this innocent young girls and exploiting the trust of their parents. A family Doctor to a family I am well acquainted with sexually abused their 15 year old daughter, having oral sex with her for over a year.
Young boys are not completely free in this regard, they too fall victims to women and adolescents with uncontrolled sexual passion.
So in this regard, both gender are at risk to Child abuse.
WHAT EFFECTS HAVE THIS ON KIDS?
The effects of child abuse is both physical and psychological.
Recent research has revealed the social and biologic effects of adverse child experiences, including child maltreatment or child abuse. Overall, poor health has been found to be peculiar to adults who were abused as kids, this points to the fact that child maltreatment or child abuse and other adverse childhood experiences most time the predicate or the causes of many adult diseases. For example, abused children or those who grew up in dysfunctional families are found to develop a high rates of common adult diseases, the likes of ischemic heart disease, liver disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, autoimmune diseases and of course sexually transmitted infections(STIs). A greater number of mental health disorders and the use of psychotropic medications by most adults are traceable to those who experienced maltreatment or abuse as children.
This is little compared to the stigmatization associated with abuse, most victims of abuse are later withdrawn, fearful, and traumatized for the rest of their adulthood even into old age. I read of a couple who after their wedding could not be with each other because the wife was a victim of sexual abuse and each time they attempt intimacy as a couple, memories of the rape scene flashes and she automatically becomes afraid. This is just one of the many after effects of child Sexual abuse on kids.
HOW CAN THE KIDS AVOID ABUSE?
Parent have a great part to play in protecting their children against abuse. First of, proper sex education from infancy is a major factor in helping to curb child Sexual abuse, they should help their children feel the warmth of a parent and constantly reassure them that they will be protected if someone tries to abuse them so far they speak up. This will encourage the child and help him speak up if anything should pop up.
The government and law enforcement agencies also have a quarter to contribute in helping to eliminate child sexual abuse by coming up with laws that clearly state the nature of punishment due perpetrators of child abuse and ensuring that these inhuman beings face the full weight of the law, this way, fear will be instilled in citizens of that region and they’ll learn to delay whatever inordinate gratifications they may have.
And kids too must be willing to heed the parent’s advice of reporting any case of abuse, if they are touched at the wrong places or shown inappropriate images.
Concerning Physical abuse, if you remember the two instances I mentioned earlier of a girl’s arm being ripped off and the other boy being beaten up side down, it is noteworthy however, that none of this act were carried out by either of this children’s parent but rather, care givers.
The need for parent to bring children they can provide for to the world cannot be overemphasized, as such, there will be no need to send them to some other person to be cared for, because the affinity between a parent and his or her child is second to none.
And if because of the economic situation of the family, there is actually a need to do this, the parent must ensure that their child is in the hands of somebody who is not Physically abusive but loving.
This way, child abuse, whether physical, sexual or otherwise can be harnessed.
SUMMARY
Child abuse is something really hurtful to a child and the society at large because victims of abuse struggle to get over the trauma and most times don’t function well socially in the society.
So parents and of course every adolescent must be cautious so as to not be a perpetrator of this evil act as he or she will be made to face the wrath of the law to the later.
Children too must be willing to heed their parent’s counsel of speaking when they need to, this way, we will unanimously uproot child abuse of any sort in our society.
With a heart full of Joy, I am inviting you my beloved friends, @vickydear, @gracyakan, and @nobleekong to this contest, thank you!
I have a question
What if the child is being abused by the parents or guardians
Who then is the child's helper
This is a very sad situation, honestly. Yet there are NGOs, police, uncles, or aunts that the child can talk to, they should speak up. That is why kids need to be educated, so they will know the appropriate steps to take.
Yes your right