Child Abuse In The Victorian Era Essay

“Child abuse casts a shadow the length of a lifetime. ”-Herbert Ward. Child abuse is the maltreatment of a child, whether it is emotional, physical, or verbal. Close to half of the youth population, as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports, are victims of child abuse. Child abuse in the Victorian Era and in the present are similar in neglect and physical, and verbal abuse, but now there are more laws in place with much larger consequences that differentiate the time periods.

Child abuse in the Victorian Era and in the present through neglect and verbal, and physical abuse. “Oliver remained a close prisoner in the dark and solitary room” (Dickens, 1961). This is a textbook example of neglect and maltreatment. Even today, 1 in 10 children are victims of neglect. Another similar aspect is verbal abuse. “Get up, or I’ll strew your brains across the ground”

(Dickens, 1961). Children believe what their parents tell them, especially at developing ages. This creates many self confidence and self respect issues. Nearly 16% of the population has been verbally abused, and 78% of those are children under the age of 4. Physical abuse is quite similar in the Victorian Era and in the present . 80% of child abuse fatalities were in children 1-3 years old. In the Victorian Era, children would be beaten by their caretakers often. Many would be flogged or beaten with a stick, resulting in major or fatal injuries ( Dickens, 1963). More than half of the victims of child abuse today were abused by their caretakers.

Though there are many similarities in child abuse in the Victorian Era and in the present, there are also differences in the time periods, being that there are more laws and larger consequences when people abuse children.

“Child abuse laws range from small misdemeanors with no jail time to a federal offense that lands the perpetrator a life sentence in prison” (Reuters, 2017).. Some other consequences include loss of parental rights and continual involvement with child care services. Another new law is there are mandatory reporting laws. These laws were created for mandatory reporters such as teachers and social workers. If they suspect that the child is being abused then they must report it, and if they don’t it can result in jail time or fines (Reuters, 2017). Another consequence is that the offender, if ever released from jail, will most likely never be able to see the child again unless the child willingly goes to see him. A huge consequence is that after being sentenced, people who physically abuse children are required to register as a sex offender for the rest of their life ((Reuters,

2017).

Child abuse is quite similar when comparing Victorian Era and the present, especially in the aspect of neglect, physical, and verbal abuse. But they are different in how in the present there are more laws and larger consequences when you are caught abusing a child.Child abuse is a horrible thing that has affected the lives of millions all across the world. But it is preventable and there still is hope for the abused children. Child abuse is an easily preventable crime, and people can stop it before it becomes major. All you have to do is look around and remember the golden rule: treat people the way you want to be treated.