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Child Abuse and Abandonment

 

            About 1 million children are abused every year in the United States. And these are only the reported incidents. There are many different types of child abuse such as physical, mental and sexual. Child abandonment is also considered child abuse because it leaves the child feeling emotionally scarred, hollow and empty feeling. Abandoned children often feel as if they are not as good or worth as much as other childern. Some states such as Louisiana have created laws that provide a safe place for the child, no questions will be asked of the parents (www.priority.net). I feel that child abandonment and child abuse are both extremely wrong. I don't understand how someone can just abandon a child, even if they are having problems of their own. The parent should seek help for their own benefit as well as the childs. .
             Many acts are unreported and undetected, often because children are afraid to tell someone or get help (www.kidshealth.org). Some incidents of child abuse are not necessarily done on purpose such as someone leaving their child in the car or unattended in a public place. Also, occurences happen when an adult leaves their child with someone whom they thought they could trust to watch them, not knowing of a harmful history. Acts that are done on purpose such as physical or verbal abuse, can lead to further damage and problems within the family. In most cases, abuse tends to continue without help or sometimes when its too late. Reported by FBI Supplementary Homicide Reports, during 1976-1994 in family murders of a child, 10% of victims were age 15-17, while in murders by strangers 67% of victims were in this age category.
             Some parents have issues they are dealing with themselves and they cannot take care of their children properly. One example of this would be the father of a baby who said he was following God's will by denying his son solid food for almost two months. This man belonged to a cult as well as his sister who told Jaques Robidoux (the father) she had a religious vision regarding the baby's diet.


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