Preventing and recognizing child abuse

There are as many styles of parenting as there are parents and while there are not too many hard and fast “rules” to the correct or the best form of parenting, there are various tips that are important when it comes to preventing and recognizing any form of abuse in children. A parent’s first and foremost responsibility is the protection of the child and this by definition includes protection from abuse as well as parenting habits that may be potentially abusive.

Not all abuse is physical. A lot of the times, people only recognize physical forms of abuse and fail to see the other forms that can be equally harmful to the well being and development of a child. Verbal abuse can be just as hurtful and harmful to a child’s self esteem as physical abuse. It is important as a parent to measure carefully what sort of words one uses to their child, especially when they are angry, upset or stressed. Emotional abuse, which leaves a child feeling unwanted, looked down upon and ridiculed, can also be just as destructive. A parent needs to be aware of how a child may interpret certain words that they use, or certain acts that they do.

Creating strong and open channels of communication with a child is an important way in which a parent can be able to prevent child abuse as it provides an atmosphere where the child feels that they can share anything, including anything that they may consider or feel to be embarrassing or shameful. Having a relationship where the child had the confidence to approach the parent with whatever problem they have means that if they do encounter abuse or anything that they find uncomfortable they are able to bring that to the parent knowing that they will not be judged or punished for it.

Parents should also be aware of some of the warning signs that children exhibit when they are in potentially abusive situations. Being excessively withdrawn or having extremes of behavior such as being extremely passive or very aggressive may signal emotional abuse in a child. Unexplained injuries or being suddenly “on alert” may be a sign that a child is suffering from physical abuse of some sort. A child who suddenly acts in an age-inappropriate sexual way, or one who inexplicably appears to makes an extra effort not be near a particular person may be doing so because of sexual abuse or a potentially abusive situation. As a parent it is vital to recognize these signs and be able to deal with any such abuse as soon as it happens and before it gets any worse.