Child abuse, although sometimes go unmentioned, has managed to curb some of the most

innocent of hearts, confident of souls and the most respectful of nature of our most

vulnerable.

We are here today to debate the moot be it resolved child abuse is the most prevalent problem

recurring counselling in Jamaica. It is my responsibility to as first speaker to explain to this

gathering why we believe child abuse in the very first place, requires counselling and the

effects child abuse affects an individual, my second speaker will then show this gathering

why we believe child abuse is ranked above all other forms of abuse and also the

consequence of underestimating its prowess as a problem and final my final speakers will

expand on the benefits of prioritizing child abuse in counselling circles.

Before I go into my main substantives it is my duty to define all the key terms in the motion.

The key terms we identified were child abuse, prevalent and counselling.

According to child help. Org, Child abuse is when a parent or caregiver, whether through

action or failing to act, causes injury, death, emotional harm or risk of serious harm to a child.

Prevalent according to dictionary. Com is defined as widespread in a particular area or at a

particular time

And finally counselling -the provision of professional assistance and guidance in resolving

personal or psychological problems.

Therefore it is safe to restate the motion as we believe that when a parent or caregiver,

whether through action or failing to act, causes injury, death, emotional harm or risk of

serious harm to a child is the most widespread problem requiring provision of professional

assistance and guidance in resolving in Jamaica.

Now into my main substantives

Every child has a right to a safe childhood and a life free from violence. The experience of

child abuse and neglect infringe upon that right.

The effects of abuse affect each child differently. While the effects of abuse can be severe and

long-lasting. The brain develops at an incredible pace during the early developmental stages

of infancy and childhood. Studies about early childhood development indicate that the brain

develops in response to experiences with caregivers, family and the community, and that its

development is directly linked to the quality and quantity of those experiences.

Before we go any further we believe it is of paramount importance that this gathering be

aware that child abuse take different forms namely physical, emotional/neglect, sexual and

family violence. For this debate we will be focusing on physical, emotional and neglect.

Emotional abuse or maltreatment, also known as psychological abuse or maltreatment is the

most common form of child abuse. It is also experienced by children witnessing domestic

violence. While many parents are emotionally abusive without being violent or sexually

abusive, emotional abuse often accompanies physical and sexual abuse. It includes acts of

omission (what is not done) e.g. emotional neglect e.g. not expressing or showing love and

affection and commission (what is done) e.g. rejection, humiliation, insults, setting

unreasonable expectations or restricting opportunities for the child to learn, socialise or

explore. Each can negatively impact a childs self-esteem and social competence.

Some parents do not see the child as a separate person, and fulfil their own needs and goals,

rather their childrens. Their parenting style may be aggressive, and include shouting and

intimidation. They may isolate or confine the child, or they may manipulate their children

using more indirect means, such as emotional blackmail.

Secondly,neglect can be defined as any serious act or omission by a person having the care

of a child that, within the bounds of cultural tradition, constitutes a failure to provide

conditions that are essential for the healthy physical and emotional development of a child.

Sometimes, a parent might not be physically or mentally able to care for a child. This may

occur as a result of their own illness, injury, depression, anxiety or substance abuse. Neglect

can sometimes be associated with socioeconomic status. Many parents dont have the

resources to meet a childs need. Their financial hardship might also put them into contact

with welfare services, which scrutinise their parenting practices, and so, are more likely to

make a report. This has meant that poor families and communities have previously been

stigmatised; however it is important to recognise that emotional abuse and neglect occur in all

families, rich or poor, and we have seen this in many Jamaican rural and ghetto communities

where different agencies such as the CDA and CISOCA have been forced to intervene.

Thirdly,Physical abuse refers to any non-accidental physical act inflicted upon a child by a

person having the care of a child. It is not always a result of intent to hurt a child but

sometimes can be justified as being a form of discipline. However when it is fear based, and

involves unpredictability or lashing out in anger, it constitutes physical abuse. Physical abuse

is the type of abuse most likely to be accompanied by another form, specifically emotional

abuse or neglect. Adults who physically abuse children may have unrealistic expectations of

their child, not understanding the childs needs or how to interact with them. This can be

fuelled by their own health, relationship, child abuse histories or manifest with emotional or

behavioural challenges including anger management issues. As stated by Miller-Perrin and

Perrin in 2013. Madam speaker, might I add this is the most prevalent form of child abuse

within the country to date as stated by the child development agency.

Madam speaker you see,Abuse is harmful to children. Children may experience a range of

emotional, psychological and physical problems and trauma as a result of being abused or

neglected.

All forms of abuse are likely to result in emotional problems for the child, in particular, a lack

of self-esteem and distrust of adults. The longer the abuse goes on, the more serious are the

effects. Abused and neglected children are more likely than other children to be self-

destructive or aggressive, to abuse drugs and/or alcohol, or become young offenders or "street

kids". In some situations abuse and neglect may result in permanent physical damage.

In the longer term, adults who have been abused as children are also more likely to abuse

their own children and often experience difficulties in forming satisfactory relationships with

other adults.

Treatment and counselling services for children who have been abused assist in working

through the trauma and in reducing the effects of the abuse. The most serious effects are

likely to occur when no one takes action to stop the abuse and to protect the child. This point

madam speaker, will be addressed by my second speaker.

In conclusion believe because of the subjective nature and disastrous ripple effect

consequences that can occur from child abuse it warrants counselling of the first degree,
SECOND SPEAKER DUTIES

PROVE WITH STATISTIC THAT CHILD ABUSE IS RAMPANT IN JAMAICA.

WHY IT IS DEEM MOST PREVALENT