Topic was selected. Part 2 of the paper

Human Services

Virginia Lopes Wyche

Liberty University

Research Paper: Human Services

The topic that I have chosen to discuss in the paper is "child abuse." Child abuse is described as an act by an adult that causes or threatens a child's emotional or physical harm. On the other hand, child neglect is described as a failure to act that puts a child in danger. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), three million child abuse cases and neglect affecting nearly 5.5 million children are recorded each year (Fisher-Owens et al., 2017). However, the American Academy of Pediatrics warns that more cases can go unreported due to emotional issues such as anxiety, guilt, or shame, which prevent children from disclosing their circumstances.

According to my child, abuse is an important topic to cover as child maltreatment is unethical. It is unfair and degrades the child's integrity and the culture that allows it to happen. But we can't stop there. As defined by Lindberg & Scriban (2017), children who have been abused or neglected, especially those who have experienced domestic violence, are more likely to experience social, cognitive, and behavioral issues, such as depression, suicidal behavior, academic challenges, alcohol and drug use, and early sexual activity. Domestic abuse is another risk factor. According to research, children are abused in 30 percent to 60 percent of families who witness domestic violence. Parental mental illness, poverty, and child disability are all contributing factors. Preventing child abuse and neglect necessitates public knowledge and community engagement to provide mental, social, and financial resources. According to Russell et al., (2020), if an adult or a parent wants to get their child treated, it is advisable to consult a family doctor or other healthcare provider. Lastly, get therapy if you were abused as a child to ensure you don't repeat the trauma.

Fisher-Owens, S., Lukefahr, J., & Tate, A. (2017). Oral and Dental Aspects of Child Abuse and Neglect. Pediatrics, 140(2), e20171487. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2017-1487

Lindberg, D., & Scribano, P. (2017). A child abuse research network: Now what?. Child Abuse & Neglect, 70, 406-407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.04.010

Russell, D., Higgins, D., & Posso, A. (2020). Preventing child sexual abuse: A systematic review of interventions and their efficacy in developing countries. Child Abuse & Neglect, 102, 104395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104395

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