Child Abuse: A Hidden Epidemic

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Recommended: Detailed essay on the causes of child abuse

How do we define “abuse” when we discuss child abuse? “Abuse” is defined as

Treating a person or animal with cruelty or violence, especially when it occurs regularly

and repeatedly.” When you add “child” it becomes “child abuse.” “Child Abuse” is

defined as “physical maltreatment or sexual molestation of a child.”(Oxford Dictionary

online) “Child abuse” may also be defined as “a crime of inflicted physical or emotional

injury on a child. And the term can denote the use of inordinate physical violence or

verbal abuse: the failure to furnish proper shelter, nourishment, medical treatment, or

emotional support.(Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Encyclopedia 2000)

Child abuse and neglect is a hidden epidemic that children nationwide are suffering

from. Since 1995, the number of deaths caused due to child abuse has been growing in

record high numbers. All children have had their rough experiences before they become

adults. Children are faced with dangerous things in their surrounding environments every

day. These events which might seriously affect them throughout their entire lives, both

mentally and emotionally. “In 2005 alone, among 3.6 million investigations by Child

Protective Services agencies in the U.S, an estimated 899,000 children(24.97%) were

confirmed to be victims of child abuse.” (childhelp 2009)

There are 4 typical kinds of child abuse: neglect, physical, sexual, and emotional.

Neglect, is where a child’s needs are ...

... middle of paper ...

... of approximately 3 million child

abuse reports annually. Childhelp has developed the above child abuse prevention

guidelines to help keep your child- or a child you care for- from becoming

another statistic.(Childhelp 2009)

Works Cited

Child abuse. (n.d.). In Oxford Dictionary.

Child abuse. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Encyclopedia.

Barrionuevo, A., & Bonnefoy, P. (2011, February 18). Chilean Priest Found Guilty

of Abusing Minors. New York Times.

Abuse. (n.d.). In Oxford Dictionary.

Childhelp. (2009). Child Abuse in America. In National Child Abuse Statistics

Child Abuse in America. Retrieved from http://www.childhelp.org

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