The Issue of Child Abuse

 Every year more than 3 million reports of

child abuse are made. It’s a terrible
epidemic that we at Childhelp are dedicated
to put an end to. To do this, we need to first
increase awareness of the issue itself.
 What is child abuse?

 Child abuse is when a parent or caregiver, whether

through action or failing to act, causes injury, death,
emotional harm or risk of serious harm to a child.
There are many forms of child maltreatment, including
neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation
and emotional abuse.
 example of child abuse

Physical Abuse
 Physical abuse of a child is when a parent or caregiver causes any
non-accidental physical injury to a child.
 Physical abuse includes striking, kicking, burning, biting, hair
pulling, choking, throwing, shoving, whipping or any other action
that injures a child. Even if the caregiver didn’t mean to cause
injury, when the child is injured it is abuse. Physical discipline
from a parent that does not injure or impair a child is not
considered abuse; however non-violent alternatives are always
available.

Sexual Abuse
 Sexual abuse occurs when an adult uses a child for sexual
purposes or involves a child in sexual acts. It also includes when a
child who is older or more powerful uses another child for sexual
gratification or excitement.
 Sexual abuse of children includes:
 Non-contact abuse
 Making a child view a sex act
 Making a child view or show sex organs
 Inappropriate sexual talk
 Contact abuse
 Fondling and oral sex
 Penetration
 Making children perform a sex act
Emotional Abuse
 When a parent or caregiver harms a child’s mental and social
development, or causes severe emotional harm, it is
considered emotional abuse.
 Emotional abuse can include:
 Rejecting or ignoring: telling a child he or she is unwanted or
unloved, showing little interest in child, not initiating or
returning affection, not listening to the child, not validating the
child’s feelings, breaking promises, cutting child off in
conversation
 Shaming or humiliating: calling a child names, criticizing,
belittling, demeaning, berating, mocking, using language or
taking action that takes aim at child’s feelings of self-worth
 Terrorizing: accusing, blaming, insulting, punishing with or
threatening abandonment, harm or death, setting a child up for
failure, manipulating, taking advantage of a child’s weakness or
reliance on adults, slandering, screaming, yelling

Child Neglect
 Child neglect is when a parent or caregiver does not give the
care, supervision, affection and support needed for a child’s
health, safety and well-being.
 Child neglect includes:
 Physical neglect and inadequate supervision
 Emotional neglect
 Medical neglect
 Educational neglect
 How to Prevent Child Abuse

An important way to keep children safe and prevent child

abuse is to let them know what is appropriate and what
is inappropriate behavior. we have to teach them to be
able to say no when someone in authority is stepping
over the line. Children need to be warned if someone,
especially those in authority, try to bribe or intimidate
them to keep quiet.
 Drug Abuse and Addiction

People from all walks of life can experience problems with

their drug use, regardless of age, race, or background.
While some are able to use recreational or prescription
drugs without experiencing negative effects, others find
that substance use takes a serious toll on their health and
well-being. Abusing drugs can leave you feeling helpless,
isolated, or ashamed.
Early use of drugs increases a person's chances of
becoming addicted. drugs change the brain—and this can
lead to addiction and other serious problems. preventing
early use of drugs or alcohol may go a long way in
reducing these risks.
When does drug use become drug abuse or
addiction?
 People start using drugs for many different reasons. Some
experiment with recreational drugs out of curiosity, to
have a good time, because friends are doing it, or to ease
problems such as stress, anxiety, or depression. it’s not
just illegal drugs, such as cocaine or heroin, that can lead
to abuse and addiction. Prescription medications such as
painkillers, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers can cause
similar problems. next to marijuana, prescription
painkillers are the most abused drugs and more people die
from overdosing powerful opioid painkillers.

 drug use—either illegal or prescription—doesn’t

automatically lead to abuse, and there is no specific point
at which drug use moves from casual to problematic. Drug
abuse and addiction is less about the type or amount of
the substance consumed or the frequency of your drug
use, and more about the consequences of that drug use. If
your drug use is causing problems in your life—at work,
school, home, or in your relationships—you likely have a
drug abuse or addiction problem.
The Common signs and symptoms of drug abuse and
addiction

 Neglecting responsibilities
 Using drugs under dangerous conditions or taking risks
while high
 Experiencing legal trouble
 Problems in your relationships
 You’ve built up a drug tolerance
 Loss of control over your drug use
 You continue to use drugs, despite knowing it’s hurting
you

“Physical warning signs of drug abuse or

addiction”
 Bloodshot eyes, pupils larger or smaller than usual
 Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
 Sudden weight loss or weight gain
 Deterioration of physical appearance, personal grooming
habits
 Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing
 Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination
 Prevention of drug addiction

Even though there’s no fail-proof way to prevent addiction,

there are some things you can do now to help protect yourself
from becoming addicted, no matter what your personal history.
 Develop strong bonds to your school, religious community or
another organization that doesn’t sanction any kind of illicit use or
abuse. Social connections can help protect you against the risks of
developing a substance use problem.
 Choose your friends carefully. Peer pressure can exert its
influence at most any age, so simply do what you can to avoid
people who are using. Easy access to drugs or alcohol is among
the top risk factors for substance abuse, Behavioral addictions
count, too; if your friends are always gaming, gambling or sexting,
it will make it easier for you to do so, too.
 Take part in community anti-drug, tobacco and alcohol
programs. Research supports that these programs work: Early
intervention programs can, in fact, prevent risky behaviors.