The Impact Of Child Abuse On A Child
The Impact Of Child Abuse On A Child
By Dr. Anil Nepali, Global Ambassador of PLATFORM for the NEEDY.
Photo by Peace FM online
Child abuse is a deeply troubling and pervasive issue that involves the mistreatment, neglect, or harm inflicted upon children, typically by adults or caregivers responsible for their well-being. It can manifest in various forms, each having profound and lasting effects on the child’s physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.
Different forms of child Abuse
- Physical abuse: involves intentionally causing injury or bodily harm to a child. It can take the form of hitting, slapping, kicking, burning, or any other form of physical aggression.
How to identify: child have multiple wounds, wounds are at different stages of healing. When you ask caregiver about wounds, their statement do not meet with patttern of wound in child.
- Sexual abuse: involves any form of non-consensual sexual activity with a child. This can range from inappropriate touching to more severe forms of exploitation and assault.
How to identify: child have STI, genital, oral injuries. and child know sexual behaviour beyond their age.
- Emotional abuse: involves behaviors that undermine a child’s self-worth or emotional well-being. This may include constant criticism, humiliation, rejection, or exposure to extreme family conflict.
How to identify: child lack bond with his/her caregiver, rather they easily bond with unfamiliar adults
Child abuse and Child neglect.
People tend to look at these differently and do not consider child neglect as issue. Child Neglect is failure to provide child a child with adequate food, shelter, supervision, education which is as serious as child abuse and most common form of child maltreatment.
How to identify child neglect: child have poor hygienic, malnourished, appear lonely, and avoid interaction with others.
Child abuse can occur within families, institutions, or communities, cutting across all social, economic, and cultural backgrounds. Often, it happens in secrecy, making it challenging to detect and address. The consequences of child abuse are far-reaching and can affect the child throughout their life, leading to mental health issues, interpersonal difficulties, and a higher risk of engaging in harmful behaviors.
It is crucial for communities and societies to be vigilant, recognizing the signs of child abuse and creating supportive environments where children feel safe to disclose any mistreatment. Reporting suspected cases of child abuse to the appropriate authorities is essential to ensure the well-being and protection of the child. Education, awareness, and intervention programs play key roles in preventing and addressing child abuse, aiming to create a world where every child can grow up free from harm and with the opportunity for a healthy and happy future.
In a bid to fight the acts of Child abuses and promote the rights of children, PLATFORM for the NEEDY (PLANE) has enhanced its mobilization and awareness campaigns using radio drama skits, community dialogues and radio programs through its Family Clinic radio program on Voice of Tooro 101 FM and other radio stations like Jubilee and Life FM 93.8. There is need for partnership and team work in ending the child rights violations in Uganda. It all starts with me.
#EndChildAbuse
#ProtectChildrensRights
#ChildNeglect
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