American Child Abuse

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Child abuse and neglect continue to be a concern for American children. The effects of child maltreatment on a child’s health and well-being are undefined and not fully understood, although it is certain that severe, chronic and irreversible damage can occur and linger well into adulthood. There are several forms of crimes against children, which include child abuse, physical and sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. The impact of child abuse on an underdeveloped child may be devastating and have severe consequences such as brain trauma later resulting in anxiety and depression. Children may also develop a poor self-image, develop an alcohol or drug dependency, engage in destructive behavior, and may even contemplate or carry out suicide. …show more content…
It wasn’t until 1962 did the government begin the modern era of child protective services. As a result of national attention in the 1960s, child abuse reporting laws were established, with all states having such laws by 1967 and by 1974, nearly 60,000 cases involving child abuse were reported. In 1980, the number of reported child abuse cases exceeded one million. By 1990, these reports topped two million, and in 2000, child abuse and neglect reports remained around three million incidences (American Humane Association, 2015). Children have historically become victims of crime as they are often perceived as the most vulnerable. This vulnerability is one of the primary reasons that child victims are still a great concern is today’s society. There are several forms of crimes against children, which include child abuse, physical and sexual abuse, emotional abuse and …show more content…
Additionally, males and females cope with instances of abuse differently. For example, a male victim exposed to child abuse is more likely to exert conduct or behavioral disorders as they tend to express themselves in an external manner while female victims of child abuse are more likely to internalize their feelings which may ultimately lead to depressive disorders (Fraad, 2008). Additionally, the psychological and emotional fallout for abused children includes suicide attempts, antisocial personality disorder and alcohol abuse or dependency. Abused and neglected children may exhibit aggressiveness and behavior problems in childhood, delinquency in adolescence and antisocial and criminal behavior in adulthood, highlighting the most severe consequences of abuse crimes against