Child Abuse

Lori Ili, Isaac Schwegler, Andrew Hintgen,

Tania Fernley, Connor Kokott

What is Child Abuse?

Child abuseis when a parent or caregiver,
whether through action or failing to act, causes
injury, death, emotional harm or risk of serious
harm to achild. There are many forms
ofchildmaltreatment, including neglect,
physicalabuse, sexualabuse, exploitation, and
emotional abuse

Types of Child Abuse

Physical
Psychological
Sexual
Child Neglect

Physical Abuse
An act of a person involving
contact of another person
intended to cause feelings
ofphysicalpain, injury, or
other physicalsuffering or
bodily harm. In most cases,
children are the victims
ofphysical abuse, but adults
can also be victims, such as
in a domestic context

Psychological Abuse
Also referred to asemotional abuseormental
abuse, is a form ofabusecharacterized by a
person subjecting or exposing another to
behavior that may result
inpsychologicaltrauma, including anxiety,
chronic depression, or post-traumatic stress
disorder

Sexual Abuse
Unwanted sexual activity,
with perpetrators using
force, making threats or
taking advantage of
victims not able to give
consent

Child Neglect
Defined as a type of maltreatment related to the
failure to provide needed, age-appropriate care.
Unlike physical and sexual abuse,neglectis
usually typified by an ongoing pattern of
inadequate care and is readily observed by
individuals in close contact with the child

Gang Activity in Correlation to Child

Abuse

Preliminary research
suggests that child abuse
is indirectly associated
with female-perpetrated
intimate partner violence
via posttraumatic stress
disorder (PTSD)
symptoms and anger

Research has also suggested that

abused and neglected children may
over interpret others emotional
expressions as anger or identify
angry expressions more quickly than
normal treated children

Adolescence is developmentally important to the life

course because it prepares youth to make behavioral
transitions into adulthood that will enable them to become
self-sufficient, prosocial individuals

Participation in street gangs reaches its peak during this

same point and time i.e. the ages between 12-18

This is also a critical period in the life course where

exposure to certain events (i.e., transitions) can have longterm consequences on trajectories of behavior

Bikers Against Child Abuse

Achild ismore likely to point out a
perpetrator when they've got
30bikerssitting in the room and
they know they are safe

Child Neglect

Awareness and Comparison

Child Neglect can be overlooked
compared to other forms of abuse.
Some children can still be a victim of
neglect even though they come from
homes with basic needs (ex: food,
water, clothes, etc) and can be
ignored, constantly degraded, or not
socially engaged. These are basic
structures needed for a child to
develop properly
Neglect usually is paired with another type of abuse but this
isn't always the case

Basic Needs
Emotional

Love
Respect
Discipline
Quality time
together Education
Encouragement
Reassurance

Physical Needs

Food
Clothing
Safe
Environment
Shelter
Good Hygiene

Hugs and Kisses can fill both needs!

Time Alone: Although you should give

children attention it is good not to
smother them. Leaving them alone
can help them self soothe and promote
exploration
Serve and Return: This is developed
when a child does something and
waits for a response from things
around them. Without the serve and
return process a child cannot learn
how it should act at an early age.
Self Worth: Without self worth a child
can grow up to be socially
awkward/depressed. This is especially
true at a childs early stages in life and
by holding a positive focus instead of
negative this can assure a healthy
sense of self worth

 In caregivers of children, 47% abused substances

Mothers are found to be the neglectful parent in
72% cases. This may be due to single mothers
being 60% of the low income statistic
Most children's parents who neglect them were
neglected themselves as children

Legal Ramifications

Sexual Abuse Criminal

Penalties
First Degree Felony

Rape, Object
Rape,
Felonies
Forcible Sodomy,
Aggravated Sexual
Abuse, Aggravated
Sexual Assault

15-25 years in prison

$10,000 maximum fine

Second Degree Felony

Forcible Sexual abuse

14 years of age or
older, Sexual Abuse of
a child younger than
14 years of age

Indeterminate 15
years or more in
prison (can result in
life in prison)
Indeterminate1-15
years term (no more
than 15)

Third Degree Felony

Unlawful Sexual
Activity w/a Minor,
Incest

Indeterminate term
not over 5 years

Physical Abuse Criminal

Penalties
First Degree Felony

Endangerment of a
Child or Vulnerable
Adult Resulting in
Death

$10,000 maximum fine

Indeterminate prison
sentence more than 5
years

Second Degree Felony

Endangerment of a
$10,000 maximum fine
Child or Vulnerable
Indeterminate prison
Adult Resulting in
sentence 1-15 years,
Bodily Injury, Child
Abuse Homicide, Child
Abuse

Third Degree Felony

Endangerment of a
Child or Vulnerable
Adult, Child Abuse
Homicide, Child Abuse

$5,000 maximum fine

Indeterminate prison
sentence not over 5
years

Pornography and Internet

Crime
Second Degree Felony

Enticement of a
Minor, Sexual
Exploitation of a
Minor, Dealing in
Material Harmful to a
Minor

$10,000 maximum fine

Indeterminate prison
sentence 1-15 years

Third Degree Felony

Enticement, Dealing
$5,000 maximum fine
in Material Harmful to Indeterminate prison
a Minor
sentence no more
than 5 years

Penalties for Failing to or Falsely

Reporting Child Abuse in the State
of Utah

A Class B misdemeanor is the penalty for any

person, official, or institution that does not report
a case of suspected child abuse, child sexual
abuse, neglect, fetal alcohol syndrome, or fetal
drug dependency

Action for failure to report must be commenced

within 4 years from the date of knowledge of the
offense and the willful failure to report.

There are no penalties currently in place in Utah

for falsely reporting suspected child abuse

Child Abuse Signs and Prevention

Child abuse can be recognized in a variety

of ways. These methods include observation
of the child and caregiver. The physical,
mental and emotional human functions of
both parties should be examined to tell if
child abuse has taken place. On top of that,
actions can also be used to properly
identify the abuser and the abused

Physical Signs of Child

Abuse
Unexplained burns,
bites, bruises, broken
bones, or black eyes
Lacking medical or
dental care,
immunizations, or
glasses
Is consistently dirty and
has severe body odor
Lacks sufficient clothing
for the weather

Mental and Emotional Habits to

Watch For in Victims
Frightened of the parents and protests
or cries when it is time to go home
Shrinks at the approach of adults
Abuses animals or pets
Abuses alcohol or other drugs
Shows extremes in behavior, such as
overly compliant or demanding behavior,
extreme passivity, or aggression
Has attempted suicide

Mental and Emotional Habits to

Watch For in Offenders
Constantly blames, belittles, or berates the child
Is unconcerned about the child and refuses to consider offers of
help for the childs problems
Overtly rejects the child
Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for the childs
injury, or provides an explanation that is not consistent with the
injury
Describes the child as evil or in some other very negative way
Uses harsh physical discipline with the child

Sexual Abuse Signs to Watch for in

Victim
Difficulty walking or sitting
Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to
participate in physical activities
Reports nightmares or bed-wetting
Experiences a sudden change in appetite
Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or
unusual sexual knowledge or behavior
Attaches very quickly to strangers or new
adults in their environment

Sexual Abuse Signs to Watch for in

Offender
Is unduly protective of the
child or severely limits the
childs contact with children,
especially of the opposite
sex
Is secretive and isolated
Is jealous or controlling with
family members

Work Cited
Augustyn, Megan Bears, Terence P. Thornberry, and Marvin D. Krohn.
"Gang Membership and Pathways to Maladaptive Parenting." Journal of Research on Adolescence
(Wiley-Blackwell) 24.2 (2014): 252-267. Academic Search Premier. Web. 30 Nov. 2015.
Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2013). What is child abuse and neglect? Recognizing the signs and
symptoms. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Childrens Bureau.
Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2014).Penalties for failure to report and false reporting of child
abuse and neglect.Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children's
Bureau.
Help, Chilld. "Child Abuse Statistics."Childhelp Child Abuse Statistics Comments. Child Help. Web. 4
Dec. 2015. <https://www.childhelp.org/child-abuse-statistics/>.
Justice Center, Salt Lake County. "Utah State Abuse Statues and Child Abuse Reporting Law."Salt Lake
County. Salt Lake County, 2009. Web. 3 Dec. 2015. <http://www.slcdocs.com/ODHR/childabuse.pdf>.
Kendra, Rachel, Kathryn M. Bell, and Jennifer M. Guimond.
"The Impact Of Child Abuse History, PTSD Symptoms, And Anger Arousal On Dating Violence
Perpetration Among College Women." Journal Of Family Violence 27.3 (2012): 165-175. PsycINFO.
Web. 30 Nov. 2015.
Riggs, Dee. "Motorcycle organization hopes to help more children in 2015."
Wenatchee World, the (WA) 19 May 2015: Points of View Reference Center. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.