Child Abuse In The Urban Community's: The Causes And Effects

Research Paper

Child Abuse in the Urban Community's: The Causes and Effects

Wanda Hopkins

Social Work with Children

Professor: Evelyn Batts

November 10, 2004

Hopkins pg 2

Table of Contents

Chapter I

1. Question - There is a great need for more research on child abuse in the urban community, how can society best find answers as to what causes child abuse and who does it affect as a whole?

2. Hypothesis - My hypothesis is that Child Abuse is a growing problem in our society,

especially in urban communities which needs to be addressed more broadly.

3. Methodology- By researching Child Abuse through books, articles, journals, and websites I will have a better understanding of Child Abuse its causes and who it affects.

4. Limitations -I will limit my discussion on Child Abuse in the urban communities.

Chapter II

Question I plan to answer

1. What is Child Abuse?

2. Who does Child Abuse affect?

3. What aspects lead to Child Abuse?

4. What are some of the symptoms of Child Abuse?

5. What kinds of care and intervention can be placed to prevent Child Abuse?

Chapter III

1. Findings

2. Conclusion

Hopkins pg 3

Child Abuse is a growing problem in our society, especially in urban communities which needs

to be addressed more broadly. Places like urban communities are prime targets for predators

who pray on children of all ages. Child abuse is one of the most common problems in urban

and rural communities. Children of these communities suffer daily. Some in silence others in

angry rage. Wondering what the causes were, or what affects this will have on them. There

are many causes and affects of child abuse and society has a responsibility to its children to

examine the causes and affects. To often have we seen many children endure senseless pain

and suffering. My research will be limited to the informative information about child abuse

I will seek out to find ways to prevent child abuse on a broader scale.

Child abuse generally is seen as one of the most heinous crimes committed against

children. An "abused child" is a child whose parent or other person legally responsible for

his/her care, inflicts upon the child serious physical injury, creates a sustained risk of serious

physical injury or commits an act of sex abuse against the child. Not only can a person be

guilty of abusing a child they can be just as guilty if they allow someone else to be abusive to

the child also. For example; if a farther breaks his child while physically disciplining the

child he can be guilty of abuse and so can the mother who stood by and allowed the bruise

to occur. Child Abuse is defined by law at Section 1012 of the Family Court Act.

Child abuse is mostly common in areas with very low poverty issues, such as housing, low

income, drug abuser, spousal abuse, along with many other issues.

Hopkins pg 4

I. What is Child Abuse?

Child abuse is the intentional act that results in physical, emotional, sexual maltreatment of a

minor child by parents or other adult caretakers. Although the extent of child abuse is difficult

to measure it is known to be a major social problem in urban communities. There are varies

types of child abuse described below are three major descriptive forms of child abuse:

1. The Physical Abuse: the physical injury ranging from minor fraises to severe

fractures or death as a result of punching, breathing, kicking, biting, shaking,

throwing stabling, choking, hitting with the hand, stick, strap, or other objects,

burning, or otherwise harming a child. These injuries whether intentional or not

are considered abuse.

2. Sexual Abuse: this includes acts by a parent or caretaker, such as fondling

a child's genitals, penetration, rape, sodomy, incest, indecent exposure, or the

exploitation through production of pornographic materials, or prostitution.

3. Emotional Abuse: is systematic behavior that hinders a child's development

of sense of self-worth. This possibly will include constant criticism, rejection or

threats, as well as not showing love, support or guidance. This type of abuse is

most often difficult to improve. Therefore, the child protective services may

not be able to intervene without the evidence of abuse to the child. Emotional

abuse is usually present when