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Child maltreatment and
abuse is a global problem that equates to serious life-long consequences. The overall health and wellbeing of a child
at an early age directly correlates to the health and wellbeing of future
generations. A positive future tomorrow
is caused by the actions of today.
Approximately 20 percent
of women and 5 to 10 percent of men report being sexually abused as children,
while 25 to 50 percent of all children report being physically abused according
to the World Health Organization (WHO).
These trends cannot
continue. To solve this global concern
we must start with the education and awareness of what child maltreatment and
abuse is defined as. Maltreatment can impair
the physical and mental health of an individual, a family, a community and a
nation.
What is child maltreatment?
Child maltreatment is the
abuse and/or neglect of a child that includes but is not limited to all types
of physical mistreatment, emotional neglect and sexual abuse. Any act that places the child’s health and/or
future in danger can be classified as abuse or neglect.
Studies show that children
commonly adopt their parent’s parenting style since they don’t know any other
system. Child abuse and neglect is not
genetic but a long-term, generational mindset that can be changed and
improved.
The breadth of the problem
is great but it severely lacks sufficient statistics. Reporting is extremely low due to poor
regulations, lack of accountability, poor parenting expectations and the
acceptance of abuse as normal.
Abuse causes health conditions
The health and wellbeing
of an individual is determined by what we think, what we do and what we have
been exposed to. Abuse and maltreatment
causes deep-rooted mental and emotional strain that will stick with a child
through to adulthood.
Violence, depression,
anxiety, lack of self-worth, abusive dependence and a vast array of physical
and mental health conditions can occur.
Poor lifestyle choices such as obesity, smoking, high-risk sexual
behaviors, alcohol and drug abuse are common outcomes of maltreated
children.
Early childhood
maltreatment has been linked with the disruption of early nervous system and
immune system development that creates the cascade of health conditions. Excessive stress and maltreatment thus
contributes to the leading causes of death such as heart disease and cancer.
Diseases place a
significant strain on the healthcare delivery system through excessive
spending, overwhelmed facilities and the shortage of qualified healthcare
professionals. Simply, our choices
impact the economic and health stability of the country.
Preventing abuse and maltreatment
Prevention starts with
education. Children cannot be blamed for
abuse but parental guilt is not the answer either. Healthy parenting stars with asking for
help.
Seek out or help develop
groups that increase knowledge of child development, parenting styles, positive
child management strategies and other support systems. Unity is powerful. Remember, a lot of neglect, abuse and
maltreatment are caused by not knowing what to do.
Abuse and neglect is also
very common in adults that have poor health, fatigue and substance abuse
themselves. Prevention of childhood
abuse starts with taking care of yourself physically, mentally and
emotionally. Seek out appropriate care.
To maximize the effects of
prevention and care, follow a four-step approach:
- Define the problem
- Identify causes and risk factors
- Create clear goals to minimize the risk factors
- Form community support systems to facilitate education, awareness and the implementation of programs that help eliminate childhood abuse.
Dr. Cory Couillard is an international healthcare speaker and columnist for numerous newspapers, magazines, websites and publications throughout the world. He works in collaboration with the World Health Organization's goals of disease prevention and global healthcare education. Views do not necessarily reflect endorsement.
Email: drcorycouillard@gmail.com
Facebook: Dr Cory Couillard
Twitter: DrCoryCouillard
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