Essay on The Child Abuse Epidemic in the United States

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 3.3 million referrals for alleged maltreatment were made in 2013. Out of the 3.3 million referrals, 899,000 children were officially documented as being maltreated(Child Abuse Neglect 2015). Child abuse is the mistreatment of a child. Child abuse is recognized in several forms; physical, emotional, sexual and neglect. Children who experience any form of abuse will tend to withdraw themselves from their peers and sometimes from other family members who are not aware of what is taking place. Child abuse occurs not just in the homes of these children, but can also occur in schools, churches and after school programs. Anywhere a child is present there is a chance that abuse can†¦show more content†¦Gill states, â€Å"Children younger than 1 year, the most vulnerable to maltreatment, represent the largest proportion of substantiated abuse. One-third of all children reported as abused in 2009 were younger than 4, and children between ages 4 and 7 represented one-fifth of cases† (2012, p. 30). Emotional Abuse What is emotional abuse? According to Trickett et al, emotional abuse is defined as, â€Å"†¦act or omissions, other than physical abuse or sexual abuse, that caused, or could have caused, conduct, cognitive, affective, or other mental disorders. Psychological or emotional maltreatment frequently occurs as verbal abuse or excessive demands on a child’s performance† (2011). Loue expounds on the terms used interchangeably by stating, â€Å"Emotional abuse, a label often used synonymously with the terms emotional maltreatment, psychological battering, psychological abuse, and soul murder†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (2005). Loue further indicates that emotional abuse has also been called, â€Å"†¦the most elusive and damaging of all types of child abuse and neglect† (2005). Emotional abuse should be recognized as a heinous crime. Children who suffer from this type of abuse may not be as resilient as they are when suffering other forms of abuse. Although emotional abuse does not leave a visible scar for those who look upon the victim, it does leave an indelible scar that will not affect the victim for years to come if the victimShow MoreRelatedChild Abuse959 Words   |  4 Pages                     According to child help (1959-2012) Children around the world are suffering from child abuse and neglect. It is reported that each year 3.3 million reports are made in the United States about child abuse involving 6 million children; this is due to reports that may contain more than two children. 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