Advocacy In Early

Childhood
Child Abuse & Neglect
Amanda Hansen

What is Child Abuse?

- An act, or failure to act, on the part of a
parent or caretaker that results in the
death, serious physical or emotional
harm of a child.
- Physical abuse
- Emotional Abuse
- Sexual Abuse

What Is Neglect?
Neglect is the failure of a parent, guardian, or other
caregiver to provide for a childs basic needs. Neglect may
be:
Physical: Failure to provide necessary food or shelter, or
lack of appropriate supervision.
Medical : Failure to provide necessary medical or mental
health treatment.
Educational: failure to educate a child or attend to special
education needs.
Emotional: Inattention to a childs emotional needs, failure
to provide psychological care, or permitting the child to use
alcohol or other drugs.

Statistics
In 2014, protective services agencies and the Bureau of
Milwaukee Child Welfare received a total of 68,943 referrals
for the maltreatment of children, up from 2009. Only 27,000
of those allegations were further assessed and determined
upon.
The most recent figures from the 2014
Childrens Defense Funds Annual State of Americas Childre
n
report that 1,825 children are abused or neglected each day
in the U.S.
Over the past 10 years, more than 20,000 American children
are believed to have been killed in their own homes by family
members who abuse them. That is nearly four times the
number of US soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The most common allegations in 2014 were neglect, followed
by physical abuse, sexual abuse and emotional abuse.
The most significant jump, almost doubling in the number of
cases of abusive head trauma, so-called shaken baby

Signs and Symptoms of Abuse

Neglect

The presence of a single sign does not mean that child

maltreatment is occurring in a family, but a closer look at the
situation may be warranted when these signs appear repeatedly or
in combination.

Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance

Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to

the parents attention.

Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be

attributed to specific physical or psychological causes

Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to

happen.

Lacks adult supervision

Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor

Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather

Abuses alcohol or other drugs

States that there is no one at home to provide care.

Signs and Symptoms Cont.

compliant, passive, or withdrawn.

Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does

not want to go home

Is reluctant to be around a particular person.

Discloses maltreatment and abuse.

Has unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, or black

eyes

Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence

from school.

Seems frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it is

time to go home.

Shrinks at the approach of adults

Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver.

Abuses animals or pets

How Can You Be An

Advocate?
Watch for Signs and Symptoms of any kind and
DOCUMENT them. Even if the issue turns out to
be a clumsy child, DOCUMENT.
Do not report until you have facts and evidence
supporting those facts.
If found to be a victim of abuse or neglect, help
that child in any way that you can, at times this
can be hard to do.
National Childrens Advocacy Center
http://www.nationalcac.org/

National Childrens Alliance

http://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/

Discussion Questions
Have you ever been involved in a
child abuse or neglect situation? If
so, how did you handle it? If not,
how would you?
Do you know of any resources
available in your area or at your
center that deal with abuse and
neglect cases?