Child Abuse and The Law Essay -- Child Abuse Legislation

Child abuse is a social problem that affects millions of children each year. Not only does child abuse have multiple societal repercussions, but also individual repercussions that produce lifelong scars. There are many forms of child abuse; sexual, physical, verbal, and emotional. Some of the facts presented in this paper will be painful to absorb. That does not change the fact that these problems must be addressed. It has been reported that one out of three girls, and one out of seven boys are sexually abused by the time they reach the age of 18. The most prevalent form of child sexual abuse is now recognized to be, incest. A study that showed approximately 27% of the women in every state of the union, and 16% of the men said they had been sexually abused as children. Child Abuse Laws Child abuse. Two words that should never have to be seen side by side. Yet, child abuse is very much a reality in this world. Unfortunately, to wish otherwise would be the same as to wish for a perfect world. We must do the best that we can as a society with the power of laws on our side to help the innocent young victims of child abuse. We have a responsibility as human beings to do all that we can for these children. Some of us fulfill this responsibility by promoting awareness, some by donating time, money, or services, some by getting laws passed, and some by enforcing laws that protect children from all kinds of abuse. The purpose of this study was to research child abuse from all angles to try to understand what we as a society may be doing wrong & also what we may be doing right to help the young victims of child abuse. To look at all types of studies & compare them & try to break them down to better understand them. The first things that should be understood are the characteristics of the offenders, the types of offenses, & some of the societal issues that are listed as possible causes of child abuse. Studies show that the characteristics of sexual abuse offenders are; dependent, inadequate individuals with early family histories characterized by conflict, disruption, abandonment, abuse, and exploitation. In 1997, over 3 million children were reported for child abuse and neglect to child protective service agencies in the U.S. These figures have gone up from year to year approximately 1.7% per year. Since 1985, the rate of child abuse fatalities has increased b... ...to visit him in prison twice a month and to phone him once a week. This is appalling that a child could be forced into visits under these circumstances. There is much to be said about the lasting effects of child abuse. It shouldn't hurt to be a child, yet children continue to be victimized every day. Statistics show that the abused child all too often grows up to be an offender. It is so important that we do everything possible to break this cycle. Bibliography 1. http://www.abanet.org/child/challenge.html 2. http://www.abanet.org/media/factbooks/ch26.html 3. http://www.abanet.org/child/about.html 4. http://redwood.northcoast.com/-dka/deadkids.html 5. http://web.raex.com/joeclark/falsehtm 6. http://sbi.jus.state.nc.us 7. http://www.childsexualabuse.org/act.htm 8. http://www.VOCALNY.org 9. http://www.youthlaw.org 10. http://www.abuse-excuse.com 11. http://freenet.msp.mn.us/people/kaplan/abuseframe.htm 12. http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/meganslaw.html 13. http://www.childabuse.org 14. http://www.clinicalsocialwork.com/incest.html 15. http://www.abuse-excuse.com/laws.htm#mondale 16. http://members.xoom.com/xoom/ProtectChild/index.html