Abuse Within the Family

Some teens have to live with violence every day, from the people that should be protecting them - their families. These teens have no safe place to go.
Here are some statistics on abuse:

In 1998, an estimated 1,100 children died of abuse and neglect- an average of more than 3 children a day.
More young children and infants die from child abuse and neglect than any other single cause.

In all 1998 cases reported and confirmed that:

The percent of children who were neglected was 53.5%.
The percent of children who were physically abused was 22.7%.
11.5% is the percent of children who had been sexually abused.
Approximately 6% of children had been emotionally abused.
Another 6% suffered medical neglect.

This type of violence can take many forms.

Physical Abuse-
Physical abuse is when an adult goes too far in physically disciplining a child. It can include hitting, biting, choking, or beating with a belt or paddle. A few signs of physical abuse are:

bruises
burns
ruptures
stomach or head damage.

Emotional Abuse-
This mainly occurs when yelling and anger goes too far, or when the parent continuously belittles, threatens, or kicks out a child until his/her self- esteem and feelings of self- worth is spoiled. This type of abuse can cause scars just like physical abuse. Emotional abuse also brings emotional damage. Some signs of emotional abuse are:

abrupt change in self-assurance
headaches or bellyaches with no medical cause
abnormal fears, withdrawal of nightmares,
and attempts to run away from their home

Sexual Abuse-
Sexual abuse is any type of sexual contact with a child. Some signs of sexual abuse are:

fearful behaviors like nightmares,
attempts to run away,
depression,
and unusual fears.

Neglect-
Neglect occurs when a child doesn't have enough food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and handling. Emotional neglect occurs when an adult does not maintain enough emotional comfort or intentionally and consistently pays very little or no attention to a child. But it's not neglect if a parent does not get a child what he or she wants.Signs of neglect are:

Failure to gain weight ( especially babies)
desperately affectionate behavior
ravening appetite and stealing food.

Consequences-
For most cases, juveniles who are abused or neglected endure greater emotional than physical damage. Any child who has been severely mistreated may end up depressed, develop suicidal tendencies, or show violent behavior. When the child gets older he/ she may use drugs or alcohol, attempt to run away, confound discipline attempts or abuse others. As the child grows to be an adult he/ she may develop marital and other family difficulties.