Transcript Child Abuse - Fort Thomas Independent Schools

Child Abuse
Health
Mrs. Wagner
Abuse
Parents must be able to provide basic
needs and a safe environment for their
children.
 Over 3 million children are abused every
year ( reported)
 Cycle of Abuse – Children of abuse are
more likely to abuse their children –
“What they know”
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Physical Abuse
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Physical harm – easiest to prove
Bruises: Place – Pattern & Stories
Place – arms, back
Pattern – fingerprints, handprints
Stories – don’t make sense (always falling down)
Other: Cuts on lips/mouth, broken nose, black
eyes, broken teeth, burns on arm, welts, broken
bones( way most abusers get caught)
Socially keep distance from adults, tend to be
timid, or may bully
Neglect
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Failure to provide basic needs
Malnourished
Theft of food
Poor students – poor attendance
Go from outgoing to shy
Hygiene issues
Unclean hair
Dental problems
Stay sick
Involved with drugs/gangs/crime
Emotional/Mental Abuse
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Emotional – constant degrading of a child
Very low self esteem
Critical of others
Emotional outbursts – tears, screaming
Overachievers become underachievers
Less friends
Depression – Suicide attempts
Drug/Alcohol use
Eating disorders
Teen pregnancy
Bad relationships
Sexual Abuse
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Only 2% ever serve jail time
Kids won’t tell
90% - victim knows
76% - family member
Why Children Don’t Tell
1. Embarrassed – mostly boys
2. Scared
3. People will look at them differently
4. Not be believed
5. They have done something wrong – their fault
6. Love
Signs of Sexual Abuse
STD
 Blood/ripped clothing
 PTSD
 Anxiety/Fear
 Pain
 Bruised hands/wrists
 Inappropriate sexual knowledge for age
 Inappropriate touching
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Abuse Laws
Child Molestation – contact with a child
that is 12 or younger
 Statutory Rape – sexual contact with an
adult and child is under 16 years
 Megan’s Law – Sex offenders must
register – they have the highest repeat
rate
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