Recognizing and Responding to Child Abuse

Childhood abuse occurs nationwide among a variety of races and ethnicities. It affects several children emotionally, physically, psychologically, and sexually. According to the article How to Recognize and Respond to Child Abuse, “Anyone under age 18 who’s been neglected or abused by a parent or someone responsible for his care is considered a victim of child abuse” (Mulryan, Cathers, Fagin). This article explains the different types of child abuse, the behaviors abused children exhibit, recognizing abused children, and reporting and preventing childhood abuse in families and communities.

The method this article used to explain childhood abuse was by defining the different types of abuse, the behaviors associated with each abuse, and ways to report the abuse and help the abused children. The result found in the article was the behaviors and characteristics abused children displayed when being seen by neighbors, those close to the abused or health care workers. The individuals found abusing children were typically parents or caregivers of the child.

Child abuse can be prevented in a variety of ways. Educating children, teenagers, and new parents about abuse can help prevent or stop child abuse. Offering physical, emotional, and psychological support to the affected children are other ways to help children recover from such a traumatic experience. The article has found a couple agencies in which child abuse can be further explained and how to report such cases. The article, also, points out common behaviors and characteristics to look out for when assessing or being around a child. Why did the author write this? The authors’ objective was to provide information to health care individuals and certain individuals about what child abuse is, how it can be prevented, and what someone can do to help an abused child. They wrote this article to present information about child abuse in a way that it would be easy for people to understand and look out for. The authors, also, provided resources and references for readers to use if they needed or wanted more information regarding child abuse. Who did the author write this for?

The authors wrote this for health care providers and persons interested in learning about child abuse. This article may also target individuals concerned about child abuse happening to a loved one or a child they know. Parents of children may also use this article to learn about the variety of abuses happening in households nationwide. What was the authors’ purpose?

The authors’ purpose was to be able to educate people about child abuse and the short and long term effects it has on children. They also wanted people to learn about the ways in which they could help in preventing or stopping child abuse from happening. The authors also explained that abuse happens to several children and across the nation. It is not limited to a specific culture, economic class, or race. In explaining this, the authors provided a broad and general explanation of child abuse and the signs and symptoms children display if they are being abused.

What questions was the author asking?
The questions the author was asking were how do you recognize child abuse? In what kinds of families does child abuse occur in? How does abuse affect children short and long term? How do you report a case of child abuse? How can you prevent childhood abuse? What are the cardinal signs of child abuse? Where else can you find information about child abuse? What answers did the author find?

The answers the authors found were the behaviors and actions that children display when being abused. They also found that child abuse crosses several different families regardless of race, culture, or economic class. Childhood abuse affects children both short and long term. Short term effects are the behaviors and physical injuries an individual initially finds. Long term effects are “difficulty trusting others, low self-esteem, anxiety, and anger…depression, phobias, eating disorders, or sleep disturbances…abuse drugs or alcohol, become aggressive, or attempt suicide…an increased risk of low academic achievement, juvenile delinquency, and adult criminality” (Mulryan, Cathers, and Fagin).

In reporting and preventing child abuse, health care providers must follow their hospital’s procedures and individuals can notify a health care provider or a social worker of suspected abuse. Educating children and parents about abuse and reporting suspected abuse can aid in preventing abuse from happening. The cardinal signs of abuse are trauma marks; imprint burns; immersion burns; spiral, facial, or rib fractures; bite marks; and head injuries. Information about child abuse can be found through online articles or at hospitals or clinics. The authors provide references and links to other websites that offer information about child abuse. What is the authors’ evidence?

The authors’ evidence of the information they showed in the article were from the references they studied and from abused children and families they observed. The statistics in their article was from the Department of Health and Human Services. What is your conclusion?

My conclusion of the article is that it has done an excellent job in providing information and knowledge about child abuse to health care providers and individuals looking to gain knowledge about child abuse. Mulryan, Cathers, and Fagin explained the effects abuse can have on children and the behavior they exhibit when going through abuse. The article gave details about child abuse in terms that many individuals could understand and easily comprehend. Why am I reading this?

Child abuse sparked my interest as a topic to research when given this assignment. I am reading this article because it helped me further understand what child abuse is, the different types of abuse, how children are affected by it, and what I can do to help abused children. Was it written for “me”?

Yes, I believe that the article was written for me as well as other individuals. I have a responsibility as a citizen to report neglect and abuse of an innocent child to social services or to a health care professional. Also, as a nursing student, I also have a role in  providing patients and parents with information regarding child abuse. It is my responsibility to educated patients and to report any suspicions of abuse to a social worker in order to protect the child. What am I looking for?

In this article and research, I am looking for information I can use and easily understand regarding child abuse. The research I want to come across should be able to give me more knowledge about child abuse and should further help me understand the topic. I am looking for authors to explain the topic thoroughly and with credible evidence that the information they are providing the reader is legit. What questions am I asking?

The questions that I am asking are where the authors got their information from, how they acquired their information, and if the information and sources of their information are credible. Do I find the answers credible?

Yes, I do find the answers credible and reliable. Many children of child abuse that I have heard of have displayed the behaviors and characteristics the authors listed. Parents of the abused children have also exhibited the behaviors and characteristics in the article. Abusers also display the stimuli that the authors listed. Do I accept the evidence?

Yes, I do accept the evidence that the authors give. The evidence given are credible and have helped the authors in composing the article.

Do I agree with those conclusions?
Yes, I do agree with the conclusions. They provided a quick, general overview of the several areas that child abuse affects. With this, they helped individuals understand child abuse and how children are affected by it everyday. All children are at risk for child abuse and it is up to individuals such as health care providers to prevent and stop it form happening.

Works Cited

Mulryan, RN, MSN, Kathleen; Cathers, MSW, Patricia; Fagin, MS, Alane. “How to Recognize and Respond to Child Abuse”. Helping Abuse Victims: Combating Elder Abuse, Child Abuse and Domestic Violence. Nursing 2004. Vol. 34 Number 10. Pages 52-55. Retrieved February 14, 2008 from, http://www.nursingcenter.com/library/JournalArticle.asp?Article_ID=529009