“You can change the world, but unless you know what you’re doing … don’t,” James Garbarino, an internationally recognized expert on child protection, told local child care professionals during a recent conference on child abuse at St. Luke’s Hospital.
“Good intentions are not enough to end child abuse.”
The daylong forum, titled “Remedies for Families and Children in a Socially Toxic World” and hosted by the Family Resource Center, helped kick off World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse, celebrated internationally on Nov. 19.
The global coalition was launched in 2000 and is aimed at mobilizing and educating governments and communities to take action against what activists call a growing epidemic.
The latest federal survey on child maltreatment tallied nearly 900,000 abuse incidents reported to state agencies in 2005.
The dramatic change in family patterns with cohabitation and single parenthood becoming more common has had a profound effect on this rate, an AP news report found.
According to a study in Missouri published in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2005, children living in households with unrelated adults are nearly 50 times as likely to die of inflicted injuries as children living with two biological parents.
Experts note that many cases of abuse come up with boyfriends and stepparents because of the lack of attachment to their partner’s child.
Lora Gulley, of the Family Resource Center, added that some stages of child development such as potty training could make children more vulnerable to abuse because of heightened stress levels from parents.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that three out of four children who die as a result of abuse are under the age of 4.
“It’s important to know what the stages are so you can get support on how to deal with them,” Gulley said.
Garbarino, author of Raising Children in a Socially Toxic Environment, said children suffering from abuse or neglect develop a range of maladaptive, anti-social and self-destructive behaviors. Signs that a child is being mistreated include social withdrawal, frequent injuries, depression, aggressive/dangerous behavior, stuttering or physical symptoms (such as headaches or stomach aches, body pains or bruising.).
Furthermore, the physical, emotional and sexual abuse of children yields harmful consequences for society. Evidence links child abuse and neglect with substance abuse, teen pregnancy, youth violence and chronic health problems.
Is spanking abuse?
Is spanking considered child abuse? Under Missouri law, the answer is no. The State’s definition of child abuse states that “discipline including spanking, administered in a reasonable manner, shall not be construed to be abuse.”
Previous studies have noted that spanking may be viewed with greater acceptance by African-American families and, therefore, is less likely to be seen as unfair and harsh treatment by children and parents. However, Gulley said spanking is not an effective tool in disciplining any child.
Like many child-care experts, she said spanking sends a message to children that physical force is an appropriate response to problems and opposition. Furthermore, parents can easily get out of hand with spanking and cause injury.
Instead of spanking, Gulley said, “exhaust all other non-physical resources.” She suggested redirecting your anger, removing yourself from the situation and setting limits with your child early.
Connecting with resources such as family support, parenting classes, respite care and job training is key to preventing child abuse, Gulley said.
The Family Resource Center offers Parents Anonymous, a support group co-led by parents and facilitators in which parents can talk about their parenting concerns. The class meets weekly and is free.
“All you have to do is suspect child abuse. You don’t have to prove it,” Gulley said.
“Keeping silent is not helping us. There is a way to support a family and get them help at the same time.”
To report child abuse, call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) or 1-800-392-3738. For more information on the Family Resource Center, 3309 S. Kingshighway, call 314-534-9350.