Physical Child Abuse
Child abuse that involves any type of hitting, kicking, punching, or beating with an object, anything that inflicts pain is considered physical child abuse. It is an out of control issue it the world today, occurring everywhere. Physical child abuse is never acceptable; it reflects an out of control person who uses pain and scare tactics rather than reason in handling dealings with a child.
Physical child abuse can seriously injure or kill a child. Everyday the news is full of horror stories of small children who were dropped down stairs, out windows, shaken to death, the stories never end. It is important to get information out into the public sectors that such abuse will not be tolerated. Parenting classes and anger management classes are available in almost every community. Often the people who need them the most have no interest in taking them.
Physical child abuse is based on control over that child. It also reflects the inability of the abuser to deal with issues in a reasonable manner. The levels of abuse seem to escalate over time. From slaps to punches, to broken bones and black eyes. It is a pattern that doesn’t get better on its own.
Children of physical abuse are often afraid. Their social well being often suffers. They often blame themselves for the situations taking place, trying to find ways to be better so that it won’t continue. If there are several children being abused, the older children often instigate the beatings towards them to protect the younger children.
This type of abuse can lead a child into a life time of such abuse. They often engage in risky behaviors as they get older as a way of acting out. It is not uncommon for them to involve themselves in intimate relationships with people who are controlling and abusive. They often do not develop the skills to properly parent, and become abusers to their own children.
We can all help prevent physical child abuse by reporting any suspicions we have immediately. We can also spread awareness and education about the abuse. Children need to know that they have options and trusted adults to turn to if they are the victim of physical child abuse.
