Child abuse reports continue to rise

Abuse reports are continuing to rise here, across nation

By John Gerstenmier

For the Salisbury Post

It's difficult to talk about child abuse, but the subject is very important. And it is being talked about a lot this month because April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Unfortunately, child abuse is a fact of life in many Rowan County families, as in families across the state and nation.

Annually, more than 3.5 million children are reported to child protective services agencies as victims of child abuse and neglect. Mirroring the nation, the number of reports of child abuse and neglect in North Carolina continues to rise, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. In fiscal year 2009, the state had 67,397 reports of abuse or neglect, up from 58,815 in fiscal year 1998.

In Rowan County last year, the Department of Social Services (DSS) Child Protective Services (CPS) received 2,947 reports, up from 2,451 in 2005, or an increase of 20 percent. In both years, approximately 62 percent of the reports were accepted. In 2005, an additional 185 reports were a second report on an active case, a number that jumped to 375 in 2009.

According to Barbara Sharpe, child protective services program administrator, Rowan County has 14 CPS investigators, "and it's not enough." But while the number of cases has risen, Sharpe says the number doesn't tell the whole story.

"There's a lot more reporting because of the awareness we have made of child abuse and neglect. In years gone by, there was not that much training for the public," she said. "Now, there's a lot more education about child abuse." And DSS is doing much of the education, regularly holding training for teachers and counselors at schools and child care centers.

While approximately 35 percent of 2009 reports were made through law enforcement or schools, Sharpe emphasizes that anyone can make a report. And it can be made anonymously. "You don't have to know absolutely that abuse is taking place, but you must have reasonable cause to suspect that something is going on," she explained. Anonymous reports are given the same consideration as ones where the reporter's name is given.

To report suspected child abuse in Rowan County, call the Department of Social Services at (704) 216-8499.

What is child abuse?

Everyone knows that when an adult is hitting a child, that's child abuse. But abuse can be much more than physical beating. There are four different types of child mistreatment, but they often occur together. Simply put:

Physical neglect is defined as failure to provide for a child's basic needs. Neglect includes physical, medical, educational and emotional abuse.

Physical abuse is physical injury as a result of hitting, kicking, shaking, burning or otherwise harming a child. Such injury is considered abuse regardless of whether the caretaker intended to hurt the child.

Sexual abuse is any situation where a child is used for sexual gratification. This may include indecent exposure, fondling, rape or commercial exploitation through prostitution or the production of pornographic materials.

Emotional abuse is a pattern of behavior that impairs a child's emotional development or sense of self-worth. This may include name-calling, insults, put-downs, etc., or it may be terrorization, isolation, humiliation, rejection, corruption and ignoring. Emotional abuse is almost always present when other forms are identified.

Abuse and neglect often take place in the home and come from a person the child knows well — a parent, relative, babysitter or friend of the family. The emotional scars of all types of maltreatment are often deep and no child deserves to be maltreated.

Who abuses children?

Child abuse and neglect affect children of every age, race, and income level, according to research from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Their research has identified many factors relating to the child, family, community and society that are associated with an increased risk of child abuse and neglect. The more risk factors, the greater the risk.

Young mothers and fathers unprepared for the responsibilities of raising a child; overwhelmed single parents with little support; and families placed under stress by poverty, divorce or a child's disability are all at greater risk. Some families are stressed by worries about employment, health, substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence or other problems, or are simply unaware of how to care for their children's basic needs.

These circumstances, combined with the inherent challenges of raising children, can result in otherwise well-intentioned parents causing their children harm or neglecting their needs.

The impact of child maltreatment can be profound. Research shows that child maltreatment is associated with adverse health and mental health outcomes in children and families, and those negative effects can last a lifetime. The long-term effects can be physical, psychological or behavioral.

According to the government report, history of child abuse or neglect has been associated with increased risk of:

- Mental illness

- Substance abuse

- Developmental disabilities and learning problems

- Social problems with other children and with adults

- Teen pregnancy

- Lack of success in school

- Alcohol and other drug use

- Domestic violence

In addition to the impact on the child and family, child abuse and neglect affect medical and mental health, law enforcement, judicial, public social services and nonprofit agencies that respond to the incidents and provide support to the victim and family. One analysis of the immediate and long-term economic impact of child abuse and neglect suggests that child maltreatment costs the nation as much as $103.8 billion a year (in 2007 dollars), according to Prevent Child Abuse America.

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John Gerstenmier is executive director of Smart Start Rowan, a non-profit organization that distributes legislature-allocated funds in Rowan County. Smart Start Rowan develops and funds programs that enhance the health, education and quality of life for children birth to age 5 and their families through legislature-allocated funds.