Understanding Child Abuse Part 1

For the next few days we are going to be breaking down Child Abuse nationwide and how to identify abused children and help them to the best of your abilities.

Through a presidential proclamation in 1983, Ronald Reagan declared April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.  This month is designated as a time for people to gain awareness about the prevalence of child abuse and the importance of prevention (National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2016).  Nationally, it is estimated that 646,261 children were victims of child abuse or neglect; and 1,580 children died as a result of abuse or neglect (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016a).  In New Mexico, approximately 18 children in every 1,000 children under the age of 18 were abused or neglected (New Mexico Voices for Children, 2015). 

The effects of child abuse are not limited to just children and their family members.  Entire communities are negatively impacted and can also play an important role in the prevention of abuse.  A great number of substantiated child abuse cases originate from situations and conditions that are preventable when community programs and systems such as Cooperative Extension are engaged and supportive.  Extensive research has identified specific factors that are known to prevent and reduce child abuse and neglect.  These factors include: (a) nurturing and attachment, (b) parental resilience, (c) parenting education and child development knowledge, (d) children’s social and emotional competence, (e) social connections, and (f) concrete supports for parents (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016b).

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Nurturing and Attachment – Children who experience stable relationships with nurturing and affectionate parents have an increased chance for overall well–being.  A secure attachments with loving parents or primary caregivers can act as a protective factor against maladaptive emotional and behavioral outcomes as children age (Lowell, Renk & Adgate, 2014).  Studies on infant brain development discovered that attachment quality between a baby and their primary caregiver sets the stage for self-regulation and relational skills later in life (Jacobs, 2012).  Although many parents feel overwhelmed with their daily strife, it is important to take time to connect with and nurture the parent-child relationship through physical and verbal affection, laughing and having fun, soothing hurt feelings and knees, and encouraging success.

Extension programs can help build nurturing and attachment in the following ways:

·       Use parent education strategies (workshops, lending libraries) as opportunities to share information about how a strong parent-child bond enhances brain development and supports positive behavior in young children.

·       Share resources available from your agency and throughout the community on how parents can nurture and connect with their children at every age.

·       Engage and include all important adults in a child’s life, including fathers, grandparents, and extended family, as part of a child’s “nurturing network.”

·       Acknowledge cultural differences in how parents and children show affection.

·       Recognize that when a child does not show a positive response to the parent (due to an emotional, developmental, or behavioral disability, for example), the parent may need additional support (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016b, p. 12).

Written by: Lisa Jo Shields, PhD, LMHC

Family Life and Child Development Specialist

References available upon request.