Topic: THE PHENOMENON OF ABUSED CHILDREN

1. Child abuse and neglect: a global phenomenon.

Abstract
Child abuse and neglect are worldwide phenomena which seem to be assuming epidemic
proportions in the U.S.A. Four conditions are usually considered under child abuse and these
include:

 physical abuse,
 physical neglect,
 sexual abuse and;
 emotional maltreatment.

The various predisposing factors to abuse or neglect of children in developed and developing
countries are considered. The apparent low incidence of cases of child abuse in Nigeria may not
be unrelated to our inability to recognize and report cases as they occur. The primary health
physician therefore has a challenge to suspect, detect, treat promptly and report such cases.

Recommendation:

 The urgent/dire need for a multidisciplinary approach to the problem of child abuse and
neglect in Nigeria is stressed.
 The issue should be addressed on immediate basis.

2. Child abuse: A social and cultural phenomenon

Abstract

Although child abuse has received considerable attention during the last twenty five years
there are still several very fundamental issues upon which there is little consensus. This article
examines the problem of defining abusive behaviour and considers how this may relate to the
different explanations put forward for child abuse.

Main Argument of the writer:

It is argued that child abuse cannot be understood only as an individual or family phenomenon
but has to be seen in the social, cultural and political context in which it occurs.

3. THE PHENOMENON OF ABUSED CHILDREN

Author Name: Cristiana Balan

Abstract:

Child abuse, also known as ill-treatment - in all its forms - is a very old problem. Children are
exposed to different types and degrees of neglect and abusive behaviors both emotionally and
physically and / or sexually.

In adults who have personality problems and marital problems, these are partly due to
the fact that they themselves were exposed during childhood to similar unfair and abusive
behaviors. Experiencing abusive behavior during childhood can lead to the formation of children
or adults who do not know much about what safety and gratitude mean - parents who are not able
to give their children what they have not got themselves, parents who are in danger to be
overwhelmed by the task of raising and educating the next generation.

The present study aims at understanding the physical abuse on underage children by highlighting
as many elements causing abuse and the consequences of child maltreatment, but without
pretending to clarify all issues raised by maltreatment.

We followed two aspects:

 First - the causes of abuse - assumptions made are mainly related to the family and the
relationships developed between family members;
 Second- the effects of physical abuse.
Keywords: abusive behaviour, maltreatment, child maltreatment, social conscience

1. Extent of the phenomenon

Awakening social consciousness, a lower tolerance towards violence against abuses
children face, all these shed light on what was hidden or what we refuse to see. In
Romania, in recent years we found an upward trend in the number of underage victims
and new forms of manifestation of aggression against children were reported.
New patterns of aggression are reported such as illegal adoptions, human
trafficking, prostitution and sex tourism. We can also notice a resurgence of traditional
crimes that children continued to be victims of. What is worrying is that the largest
number of victimized children is very young people aged up to 16 years. The victims
are mostly girls (75%) most likely due to the fact that sexual abuse dominates the
structure of the crime of mistreatment recorded, injury presents in reports a low
prevalence because, most often, these cases are not reported. There are numerous cases of
maltreated children which are not identified, and this situation may have several
explanations:
- The silence of children and adults committing the abuse or of accomplices- adults or
parents;
- The difficulty to differentiate between deliberate and accidental behavior, between
maltreatment and parental correction (?!);
- Psychological reluctance manifested by a large number of people, including
professionals working on the problem, when they actually have to admit that the
disturbances presented by a child are consequences of maltreatment.

2. Defining child abuse

The Abuse is defined as the act or omission to act by a person in the exercise of rights
and duties, endanger the values protected by law or by the rules of social coexistence.
Child abuse is defined as a physical, sexual or mental injury, negligent treatment of a
minor by a person who is responsible in terms of their welfare.

3. Forms of abuse
Parents mistreatment and abuse against children is not a new phenomenon; now,
however, making or allowing minors to work long hours and even treating them as
"miniature adults" are seen as abuse, although in the past were common practices.
Children exposed to maltreatment form a very heterogeneous group. In the field literature
there is a clear distinction between four types of maltreatment:
1. Children exposed to physical abuse;
2. Neglected children;
3. Children exposed to emotional abuse;
4. Children exposed to sexual abuse
These categories are not mutually exclusive. The question regarding the dominant form
of abuse rather arises.
A child exposed to physical abuse often happens to have been previously exposed to
emotional abuse. If a child is neglected long enough, it is possible to present aggressive
behavior, which also may predispose to physical abuse. Children exposed to sexual
abuse, are also emotionally abused and often physically abused. However, we will try
below to describe each category by itself.
1.3.1. Physically abused children
Definition. Physical abuse is the non-accidental injury caused by the person in whose
care the child is at a time.
The child is a vulnerable being and when he/she is harmed, they often show physical
signs of varying degrees of severity: hematoma, bruising, fractures, burns, internal
injuries, wounds.
Considering the severity of the abuse, children can differentiate into:
- Children subject to minor physical abuse (reddened skin surfaces, minor injuries);
- Children subject to major physical abuse (injured head, hands or broken ribs, burns,
etc.);
- the category of children at risk - refers to a population of children unknown precisely in
number or percentage, about which we know that they are subject to behaviors and
situations indicating a possibility of ill-treatment, but we do not have the certainty these
acts are being done presently; - the category of exploited minors - is part of this
enumeration as it relates to the involvment of the child in activities falling outside his
natural resistances. They can also affect the child's mental balance if these activities are
contrary to the specific concerns of his age, are demeaning (begging for example) and
prevent the child‟s educational or professional achievement.

1.3.2. Neglecte children

 Emotional neglect can be more or less open and can be present even since birth, such as
through the abuse of alcohol and drugs or poor feeding.
Emotional neglect is defined as the poor ability of parents to engage positively and
emotional in raising the child.

1.3.3. Children exposed to emotional abuse

Emotional abuse can be defined as a chronic attitude or action of parents or other
caregivers who harms or hinders the development of a positive self-image of the child. It
involves a continuous and stable pattern of behavior towards the child, a behavior that
becomes a dominant feature of his life. The damage done can go unnoticed. The scars are
internal, but may reflect greater injuries than any other form of abuse.

1.3.4. Children expose to sexual abuse

Children are dependent on their caregivers for meeting their emotional and physical
needs. Therefore, child sexual abuse may be committed by parents, grandparents
and other close relatives and other "trusted" adults (teacher, neighbor or person
taking care of the child).
In adolescence, the frequency of suicide thoughts, attempts and threats will increase, and
most of the youth will resort to self-destructive behaviors: drug abuse and
prostitution.

Legislations in Pakistan

 The Child Protection System Bill, 2014 - National Assembly of Pakistan

 Pakistan Penal Code Child Abuse Amendment 2016

Child abuse or crimes against child is one of the pressing social issues of Pakistan. Through this
amendment in Pakistan Penal Code punishments are enhanced for the crimes against child.

Section 82 of Pakistan Penal Code is amended and age of child enhanced from seven to ten.
Now everyone under age of ten is considered as child, previously anyone under age of seven is
considered as child. Three new sections are inserted in one particular chapter of Pakistan
Penal Code i.e. 292A, 292B and 292C. Section 292A is about offence of exposure of child to
seduction.

292B is about offence of child pornography and 292C is about punishment of child pornography.

Child pornography, which was previously not mentioned in the law, will be punishable by seven
years in prison and a fine of Rs0.7 million.

A new section 328A is inserted in PPC which describes the offence of cruelty to child and its
punishment. Section 377A and 377B are inserted in PPC which describes the offence of sexual
abuse with child and its punishment.

Overall this amendment in Pakistan Penal Code is good step which can be helpful in curbing the
crimes against children.

Recent Report Statistics in Pkaistan:

According to a recent study from Sahil, a non-government organisation (NGO) working against
child sex abuse, the total number of young boys being abused increased by 4.3 per cent in the
first half of 2015 compared to the same period last year.

The report said that 178 boys aged 6 to 10 were abused compared to 150 girls of the same
ages.

In 2015, a total of 3,768 children were reported to have fallen a prey to sexual abuse, it said.

“There has been an alarming increase in the abduction of children since January 2016. A case in
point is that of Punjab, where 652 children have been reported kidnapped, 312 of whom are
from Lahore.

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) hearing the rape and murder case of seven-year-old Zainab
announced its verdict today sentencing Imran Ali Naqshbandi to death, four times.

The court sentenced Imran to death for kidnapping, for rape, for murder and under Section 7-
ATA. Additionally, for performing an unnatural act with a minor he has been sentenced to
life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 1 million and for desecrating human remains by
dumping Zainab's body in the garbage he was sentenced to 7 years, Punjab Prosecutor General
Ehtesham Qadir informed media

Zainab Case

ATC announces death sentence for Zainab's rapist, killer Imran Ali
 Obligations of Pakistan:

Pakistan ratified the United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1990
and is under obligation to implement its provision by harmonising polices, legislation,
programmes, plans of action with it and report progress to the UN committee on the Rights of the
Child (UNCRC), Geneva after every five years.

Recommendation:

“Establishment of a national commission on child rights, which is essential to monitor and

coordinate the implementation of the law.”