What is Child Abuse?
Child abuse is mental, emotional, physical or sexual injury to a child or failure to prevent such an injury. It includes neglect, the failure to provide a child with food, clothing, shelter and/or medical care, as well as leaving a child in a situation where the child is at risk or harm.
Child abuse is a crime that thrives in secrecy because it is often times difficult to talk about. That’s why conversation—openly discussing this issue—is the most effective tool we have to eradicate child abuse.
Signs of child abuse can be subtle, and in many cases, nonexistent. Changes in a child’s routine or new unexplained behaviors are worth a second look. A few signs to look for include unexplained injuries, changes in behavior, changes in eating or sleeping, changes in school performance or attendance, and fear of certain places or people.
Child Abuse Articles
Freud and The reality of Childhood Sexual Trauma
This Child Abuse Awareness and Sexual Abuse Awareness Month, I feel it is important to shed light on a dark chapter in the history of psychotherapy. As a psychotherapist who focuses on childhood trauma, I want to share the story of the man widely known as the father of psychotherapy-- Sigmund Freud. The story of how he had tragically failed the victims of childhood sexual abuse. Early in his career, Freud brought attention to how common childhood [...]
When Power Protects Predators – Lessons from the Epstein Case
The wide revelations of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes that have come since 2019 have reinforced that those who harm children are often individuals in positions of power and trust. Wealth, status, and influence can create environments where child sexual abuse is more easily hidden, victims feel less able to speak out, and accountability is delayed or denied. To date, Epstein himself was the only American to [...]
A Supportive Environment is Essential for Survivors of Abuse
When someone in your life experiences sexual assault or child abuse they might not feel safe disclosing the abuse, even to someone close to them. There are so many factors involved in creating an environment that those that have experience abuse feel safe to share their story. The way you talk about sensitive topics, even casually, can influence whether a survivor [...]
The Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Adult Survivors: Psychological, Physical, and Emotional Impacts
Understanding the effects of child sexual abuse is crucial to improving a survivor’s overall and long-term well-being. The trauma of the initial event often leads to a range of psychological, emotional, and physical health challenges that can persist for years, well into adulthood. Research shows a strong connection between mental health and physical health, with each influencing the other. From behavioral struggles to chronic health [...]
BOOK REVIEW: I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette Mccurdy
Summary In this memoir, former actress and child star Jennette McCurdy recounts her life starting from the age of six. What follows is a very honest account of how McCurdy’s mother shaped her life as she forces her daughter into an acting career, teaches her how to diet to maintain a low weight, and constantly invades her privacy. McCurdy’s childhood and teenage years revolve around [...]
Rompiendo las Cadenas Culturales
El familismo es una creencia cultural que centra las relaciones familiares por encima de las necesidades del individuo. Esta creencia se observa a menudo en la comunidad hispana, junto con la ideología del machismo y el marianismo. Desde pequeños, a los latinos se les inculca la idea de que el abuso se queda dentro de la familia y no se debe hablar de él. Esta [...]
Breaking Cultural Chains
Familism is a cultural belief that centers family relationships over the needs of an individual. This belief is often seen in the Hispanic community, alongside the Machismo and Marianismo ideology. From a young age, Latinos are engraved in the idea that abuse stays within the family and is not to be discussed. This belief protects the abuser and puts the victim, and any other potential [...]
April is the Month for Prevention
April is both Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month, highlighting the urgent need to address and prevent violence in our communities. Sexual assault and child abuse thrive in silence and impact individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds in our communities every day. Prevention starts with recognizing that this is happening in our community, and by educating ourselves and others [...]
5 Things You Can Do to Prevent Child Abuse
1. Know the Signs of Child AbuseAn important first step to preventing child abuse and neglect is recognizing its many forms and knowing the signs, so you can recognize and report abuse if you suspect it. Signs of abuse can include unexplained injuries, appearing unkempt or malnourished despite having access to community resources, fear of going home or reluctance to be with a certain person, exhibiting [...]
We All Play a Role in Protecting Children
Roxanne’s House, the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center, works collaboratively with our community partners by employing the multidisciplinary team (MDT) model to address child abuse allegations effectively. This approach, endorsed by the National Institutes of Health and the US Department of Justice, fosters collaboration among professionals, including Children's Advocacy Centers, Law Enforcement, Child Protective Investigators, Medical Professionals, Child Advocates, and Prosecutors. At [...]
