Child Abuse (Essay Sample)

Child Abuse
Student Name
Institution Affiliation
Child Abuse
Child maltreatment is abuse as well as neglected directed to children below the age of eighteen years. It comprises sexual abuse, physical and emotional ill-treatment, neglect among others. Ill-treatment of children is widespread all over the world with child neglect being the most common. The mistreatment of children has long-term effects on the child that include trauma, learning disorders as well as delays in development.
Toddlers are not spared from this abuse with, physical abuse, shaken baby syndrome, as well as sexual abuse, being some of the common types of abuses they encounter. As far as physical abuse is concerned, if the nurse notices several unexplained burns and cuts, withdrawal behaviors, then there is a need for concern. Shaken baby syndrome reveals itself where mother shakes the toddler too much (Dudley, 2008). The child may end up suffering from bleeding and swelling in the brain. This behavior can result in the death of the toddler. If nurse suspects that a toddler is being exposed to sexual behavior that is inappropriate, then he or she should report the parents.
Some cultural practices used to treat illness produce petechiae as well as purpura that can imitate child abuse. Cupping is another method used to treat illness. A heated cup is applied to the skin causing bruises that may be mistaken as child abuse. This method has been practiced in Mexico Russia as well as Asian culture. In the state of Hawaii, if one suspects that a child may be facing abuses then it’s his or her duty to report the issue to the child welfare services that offer child protection services (Giardino & Alexander, 2005). If nurses suspect child abuse, then they should report to child welfare services or to the police department who investigate the matter.