In this day and time, you cannot pick up a newspaper or watch the news without hearing about children who are victims of some type of abuse. As we read or watch the news, we are in shock, but with this shock comes the question, "What can I do?"
Child Abuse in the United States
It is estimated that nearly 3 million children in the United States are victims of some type of abuse. This number can vary depending on the year as well as the group compiling the statistics. Child abuse knows no race, gender, religious background or financial status. Child abuse is a cycle that begins with the victim, a child, then continues into adulthood. That adult then repeats the cycle of abuse with their children, or do they?
About one-third of children who are abused grow up and become the abuser. Why do some inflict abuse while others do not? It could be due to the abuse not happening until the child is older. Core values are taught at a young age, but the lines become crossed when the child becomes older. The child is torn between right and wrong. Once the child is an adult, he or she has a choice. Some will choose NOT to abuse their children.
Helping Abused Children
Social workers often remove an abused child from the home, but that is often where the help ends. Most of these children need help to cope with the emotional as well as physical abuse that they have had to endure. Many children are returned to the home with their abuser still there. The abuser should be the one who is removed from the home. It would be much better for the child, allowing the child to feel safer and more secure. It is very important for these children to receive some type of counseling. Many will treat themselves poorly due to a low self-esteem.
We Can Break the Cycle of Child Abuse
How can this cycle be broken? We can start by being more in tune with our children. We can no longer treat our children as we did years ago. We must challenge the advice that "children should be seen but not heard." We must see our children and, more importantly, listen to them. The signs are there for us to see and hear. These children must know that the first step to healing is realizing they are NOT at fault for what has happened to them. They did NOT cause the abuse in any way. That is the key for these children to begin the healing process. Can this horrific cycle of emotional as well as physical pain be broken? Yes it can!
Sources:
ChildHelp.org, National Child Abuse Statistics
Join the Conversation