What is Child Abuse?
As defined by California law, child abuse is any physical injury such as bruises, burns and fractures that may be the result of punching, beating, kicking, burning, or otherwise harming a child, whether or not the parent or caretaker intended to hurt the child.
Child sexual abuse including both sexual assault and sexual expoitation.
Willful cruelty or unjustified punishment including mental suffering.
Corporal punishment or injury resulting in a traumatic condition.
General neglect in which the caretaker fails to provide adequate food clothing, shelter, medical care or supervision.
Severe neglect which is usually characterized by severe malnutrition or medically diagnosed non-organic failure to thrive. This includes willfully placing a child in a situation where his or her person or health is endangered.
Important Facts about Child Abuse
- In Tehama County during 2007 there were reports of suspected child abuse/neglect
- National statistics show that one in four girls and one in eight boys will be maltreated before the age of 18
- Child abuse /neglect affect children of all ages, races, and incomes
- Children under the age of two are at the greatest risk of abuse
- Child abuse is the most common cause of brain injury in children under one year of age
- Children with disabilities are three to seven times more likely to suffer from child maltreatment than children without disabilities
- Parents abusing drugs or alcohol are at a higher risk of neglecting/abusing their children
- Circumstances that place parents under substantial stress is likely to increase the risk of child abuse i.e., mental and physical illness, economic stress, drug abuse, isolation
- Domestic violence greatly impacts children in the home.
- Children living in domestic violence situations are at risk of being physically abused them selves
- Neglected or sexually abused children may not show any physical signs of harm
- Adults who were abused as children are at risk of suffering from heart disease, cancer, lung and liver disease
- Reporting child abuse does not automatically mean the child will be removed from the home