Child Abuse Research Paper Example

We all want to think that our world is pure and the people who populate it are full of morals, however, society has been and always will be riddled with evil and criminal acts that poison the integrity of mankind. Many claims that the only pure living creature is a child, and despite religious efforts to retain a sense of purity, people cannot revert to the childhood innocence they once possessed. Society places children on a podium as they are the key piece to improve the future. Parents strive to mold their child into a role model with many beneficial traits such as independence, self-discipline, communication, persistence, and creativity.  These characteristics are necessary for a successful future, and it is hard to believe that someone would tear down a child physically and mentally. Innocence in the world is corrupt by moral injustice due to physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect.

Statistically, we view the amount of child abuse to be around 560,605 cases in 2021 alone. The age range that generates the most reports is between the ages of two to five years old, and the total is approximately 158,946 individual cases. "Physical abuse is one of the most common forms of child abuse. It occurs when a person close to the child deliberately commits an act that results in a physical injury to the child. These injuries can have serious, long-lasting effects and can sometimes cause death" ("Physical Abuse"). When a child is physically abused they suffer in the long run. These children may grow up and have psychological and behavioral issues as a result of their life with their parents or guardians. The abuse trains them to be scared and obedient in an unhealthy way that creates phobias that the individual carries with them in their adult life. The main consequence of the abuse lies in the future family of the victim. About 30 percent of abused individuals continue the cycle and physically harm their offspring.

The number of cases of child abuse in the United States in 2019, by age of victims:

Source: Satista Research Department

Abuse is not limited to physical harm, and the broad idea of abuse is defined as having intentionally caused a bad effect or to misuse, therefore words or actions inflicted by someone to bring down an individual are child abuse. Many households experience emotional abuse without the knowledge that it is occurring. Often denial pushes away the thought of abuse as words are simply words. Studies show that children who experience emotional abuse think lowly of themselves and often join in on the abuse as they tear themselves down. People around you have more influence than one may think. If an insult or accusation is continuous, the victim begins to believe the words and agree with the falsehood of the abuser. 

Innocence is precious, and there are people who seek to destroy it. There are many cases where the victim of the emotional abuse feels extremely trapped and commits crimes in order to escape. For instance, "In 2010, Sally Challen killed her husband by striking him multiple times whilst he ate his breakfast in their home. She had apparently tried to leave him on several occasions, citing allegations of emotional abuse. Her husband had allegedly belittled her, controlled her money, and did not allow her to socialize without him" (Morr). Sally was abused by her father and when she thought she escaped the insults and controlling characteristics, she married a man who did the same. She could not escape the abuse and consequently, she says the crime was the only out.

Another form of abuse is sexual. People find this topic to be very sensitive as they do not want to discuss the issue. "Child sexual abuse is defined as sexual activity with a child by an adult, adolescent or older child. If any adult engages in sexual activity with a child, that is sexual abuse" (“Child Sexual Abuse Definition & Facta: Prevent Child Abuse NC.”). There are two categories of sexual abuse touching and non-touching. Touching includes the physical touch of an individual in self-restricted areas. Non-touching includes exposing a child to pornographic images, trafficking, photographing the child in precarious positions, or even watching a child undress. These give the abuser pleasure thus traumatizing a minor. 

In the United States, there are more than 65,000 children who are sexually abused each year. The greed of the abuser leaves the victim with long-term mental issues. Due to the actions that the child experiences they suffer future issues such as depression, PTSD, substance abuse, unplanned pregnancy, and increased risk of suicide. When the criminals get caught the child is interviewed and only 38 percent of the victims admit that the convicted actually abused them. Some of the children do not understand the actions that their parent, guardian, or a family member has done. Many deny it altogether. When a child cannot comprehend sexual abuse, their mind creates something that is easier to understand. Fake scenarios are used to disguise the horrid event. We are hopeful that the help these children receive will ease the trauma.

Abuse is a tragic thing that is seen in today's society that cannot be abolished and neglect is the most common form of abuse. Neglect is "an egregious behavior of caregivers that results in depriving a child of their basic needs, such as the failure to provide adequate supervision, health care, clothing, or housing, as well as other physical, emotional, social, educational, and safety needs" (Avital). The majority of cases are found in low-income families. Most cases are reported by people who are around the child and observe low weight gain or bad hygiene. The parent or guardian treats their children with no interest because they are depressed, indifferent to the child, or they abuse substances such as drugs or alcohol. The caregiver may neglect the child in an abundance of ways since neglect includes physical, educational, or emotional. Physical neglect can be characterized as not providing the appropriate nutrition. If a parent fails to bring the child to a school that falls under educational neglect. Emotional neglect can result in many ways, however, abandonment is the main way. Abandonment is a fear that everyone shares and to have that experience so young would mentally set back a child. Something like neglect can traumatize a minor as they go into adulthood. Many people who suffered from neglect in the past are very secluded individuals who have a hard time fitting in.

Statistics state that misuse of opioids has been reported to have the worst effects when it comes to child abuse. Child Welfare systems have documented 40 to 80 percent of families have substance abuse problems. “Drug addiction is a leading cause of child abuse; addiction to alcohol, cocaine, heroin, and other drugs by parents make them less responsible for and more violent toward their children” (Harris). The addictions lead to severe abuse to children who do not understand why their beloved parent/parent figure is harming them. The wide range of abuse does not make any form more tolerable. In the United States alone there are approximately 17,842,000 children in Child Protective Services. “Child welfare officials estimate that thousands of abused and neglected children who live with their drug-addicted parents never get help because they do not come to the attention of authorities” (Harris). Allowing people to be informed on the child abuse topic helps people recognize the signs. 

Abuse affects a child as they grow into their adult life. The abuse pushes about 70 percent of the victims to do better and strive for greatness, however, the other 30 percent become the abuser as the cycle continues. Adults who commit abuse on a child should hence be put in prison for corrupting the innocence of a minor. Childhood is something that molds an individual into their future self. Distinguishing the purity of a person is considered immoral and cruel, and statistically speaking, too many children have to suffer through the abuse of parents and guardians. In the world, innocence is tainted by moral inhumanity as a result of physical, mental, sexual abuse, and neglect.