Awareness: 

Child Abuse Hurts! 

It can destroy young spirits and weaken our community.

However, You Can Make A Difference in the lives of vulnerable children and become part of the solution by helping Windwood Farm keep our arms and our doors open to provide Help, Hope, and Healing.

There is no single known cause of child maltreatment, nor is there any single description that captures all families in which children are victims of abuse and neglect.  Child abuse occurs across socio-economic, religious, cultural, racial, and ethnic groups.

Children are never responsible for being victims of abuse.

Just as there are factors that place families at risk for maltreating their children, there are other factors that promote resilience. The good news is that children can be incredibly resilient.  One strong bond with a caring adult is often enough to start the healing process. Also, research has found that supportive, emotionally satisfying relationships with a network of relatives or friends can help minimize the risk of parents maltreating their children, especially during stressful life events. 

Enduring effects of child abuse and neglect

Studies have documented the link between abuse and neglect of children and a range of physical, psychological, and behavioral problems.  All types of maltreatment can affect a child�s emotional and psychological well-being and lead to behavioral problems.  These consequences may appear immediately after abuse or years later. In addition to the tragic consequences endured by the children, society pays a high monetary cost for child maltreatment. As estimated by Prevent Child Abuse America, the total direct and indirect cost of child abuse and neglect in the USA may be as high as $94 billion (A Coordinated Response to Child Abuse and Neglect: The Foundation for Practice, USDHHS, 2003)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Health and physical effects can include the immediate effects of bruises, burns, lacerations, and broken-bones and also longer-term effects of brain damage, hemorrhages, and permanent disabilities. 
  • Negative effects on physical development can result from physical trauma such as  blows to the head or body, violent shaking, scalding with hot water, inadequate nutrition, lack of motor stimulation, or by withholding medical treatment.
  • In reaction to chronic abuse or neglect, a child's brain may strengthen the pathways among neurons that are involved in the fear response, resulting in the brain becoming "wired" to experience the world as hostile or uncaring.  It may also prompt the child to become overly aggressive, anxious, or withdrawn.
  • Recent studies suggests that adults maltreated as children show higher levels of many health problems not typically associated with abuse- heart disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, and liver disease. The link between maltreatment and these diseases may be depression, which can influence the immune system and may lead to higher risk behaviors such as smoking, alcohol and drug use, and overeating.
  • Individuals victimized by child maltreatment are more likely than people who were not maltreated to engage in juvenile delinquency, adult criminality, and violent behavior.

Resilience

Not every child who is maltreated will experience enduring effects of child abuse and neglect.  Protective factors that appear to serve as a buffer against the effects of the negative experiences may include

  • Personal characteristics, such as optimism, high self-esteem, high intelligence, or a sense of hopefulness
  • Social support and relationships with supportive adults.