Genita Johnson

Dr. Wynne
English 102
Opinion Piece
Child abuse is often a hidden problem in America. Over the years Americans have been able to
make an effort to solve the issue because of familiarity of warning signs. The consequences of
being abused as a child can affect the brain development that controls memory and emotions,
poor peer relations and violent behavior. Research on the consequences of abuse is a challenge
based because of the hidden nature of abuse is not always open. (Crosen-Tower). Child abuse
impacts are so heavy it can continue to impact the survivor throughout their adult life. The depth
of the abuse does not matter it can continue to haunt them throughout their life making it difficult
to let go of the incident or see what is wrong with the abuse. Unresolved traumas grow into
bigger problems as life goes on and can leave survivors wounded and deprived. (Bernman)
Trauma can never fully heal if the trauma goes ignored.
The goal of Child Protective Services of Virginia is to assess and provide services to families
and children to preserve families and prevent maltreatment. Child Protective Services is directed
toward providing sufficient care for children. (Virginia Department of Social Services) The local
departments are responsible for conducting investigations. Child Protective Services develop
public awareness and hosts education programs to prevent abuse and neglect. Victims of Crime
Act also known as VOCA provide federal funds that are given to public and private agencies to
deliver treatment to child victims and adult survivors. There are forty programs spread across the
state. (Virginia Department of Social Services) There are several different coping mechanisms

for dealing with child abuse such as praying, revisiting your earliest painful memory as a starting
point and writing it all down, thinking about the experience in your adult mi but, most likely will
never erase the issue it will just help you heal. The long-term effects of child abuse is too serious
to let it be ignored. From a personal perspective the chances of a survivor repeating the acts of
abuse is too high for the state of Virginia to not make every reported victim of abuse receive
mandatory state funded treatment by age 21. The state of Virginia has implemented their own
funded plan but it is not mandatory. Child abuse is known to affect the brain development that
controls memory and emotions, poor peer relations and violent behavior. If victims were forced
to get treatment as a whole the government could help several people in their healing process.
The government might be able to reduce offenders if they awarded treatment before it was too
late. Every reported victim is not going to know about the services of VOCA. Mandatory
treatments awards every reported victim the treatment that is needed and avoids a lot of victims
bottling up their struggles inside.
According to Dr. Nadine Muller 1 in 6 boys and 1 in 4 girls experience
sexual abuse. The statistics are already present,
making it aware the abuse will happen. Mandatory
treatment provides help for these cases that are
guaranteed to happen. The government has a proactive
method of treatment already set up to help to the next victims. Unfortunately, it is almost
impossible to stop child abuse as a whole but with efforts to make help for survivors and victims
mandatory it could improve their healing process and reduce the amount of future abusers.
Helping out citizens with such deep and personal problems can help the country as a whole.
Works Cited

1. "Surviving in Silence: Child Sexual Abuse Survivors in Academia." Dr Nadine Muller.

N.p., 20 June 2015. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.
2. "Child Protective Services (CPS) - Virginia Department of Social Services." Child
Protective Services (CPS) - Virginia Department of Social Services. N.p., n.d. Web. 21
Apr. 2016.
3. Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect. Washington, D.C.: National Academy, 1993.
Print.
4. Bernman, Laura, PhD. "How Childhood Abuse Can Manifest in Adult Relationships."
EverydayHealth.com. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.