child abuse
...roken bones. This can consist of burns, cuts, shaking, throwing, kicking and other similar forms of abuse. Neglect is not giving a child there basic needs. This form of abuse is common amongst drug and alcohol addicted parents. Children, who are not fed, bathed and clothed properly, are all victims of neglect. Child abandonment is now considered neglect in many states. Neglect can include emotional and physical abuse. With these main types of abuse, there are warning signs. Some are more noticeable than others. With sexual abuse the signs are so easy to recognize. If the child has difficulty walking or sitting, experiences nightmares or becomes frightened or withdrawn when the guardian is near, they may be experiencing sexual abuse. The parents can show signs as well. Parents who are overly controlling, jealous or isolated are also signs of a perpetrator. With emotional abuse, children often seem extremely demanding or passive. They may attempt suicide or have extreme aggression. The caregivers may seem unconcerned or unattached to the child. They may also constantly belittle the child. The signs of physical abuse however, are easier to find. Children, who have unexplained bruises or injuries or seem frightened of parents, may be experiencing physical abuse. Giving irrational or no explanation of bruises and thinks the child is evil, are traits that abusers have. With neglect, children can be frequently absent from school, beg for food or money, lack medical care or supervision at home .Common traits of the parents are depression and drug or alcohol abuse. As one can imagine, with these forms of abuse come consequences the innocent victims will have to deal with. With sexual abuse victims can have trouble trusting or connecting with other people. They can have multiple sex partners or even nightmares. With emotional abuse victims can have multiple personalities or even experience depression. With physical abuse, many victims become abusers themselves. In severe cases of physical abuse, victims can experience a physical or mental handicap for the rest of their lives. With neglect, many victims can become extremely depressed and have extreme emotional problems. Then there are the laws which punish the perpetrators who can cause these heinous results. One significant law is the adoption and safe families act of 1997. This law had an important change in child welfare. With this law federal agencies may “forgo” the “reasonable efforts mandate which was mandatory. Now agencies are not forced to keep children with families who have had permanent rights terminated, have committed murder or voluntary manslaughter, or abandoned their child. Now states can file a TRP. A TPR 9 termination of parental rights), can be filed if a child has 15 of the most recent months in child care. The federal government is even offering extra money to states that show a progress in moving children out of foster care. Now states can be offered between four to six thousand dollars per child that is adopted. Another important law is the Child abuse prevention and enforcement act. With this act, social workers have less paper work. Now social workers can spend more time checking on children and less time in the office. More child advocacy ...