Child Abuse

A person is considered to be healthy if he is free of any ailments. But this is a misconception. Only when a person is physically, socially and mentally well can a person be referred to as healthy. Crime of any sort affects people in many ways: physical, emotional as well as financially. Child abuse is a growing concern globally. Child abuse can be defined as “wilful and unjustifiable infliction of pain and suffering on children”. There are five documented types of child abuse: sexual, physical, emotional, neglect (physical and emotional).1Children of all age groups may suffer from abuse from their parents, caregivers or even strangers. South Africa has been experiencing frequent cases of child abuse due to increased substance abusers and a booming pornographic industry.

Impact on individual health: Victims of child abuse often suffer physically as well as psychologically. The emotional impact will be emphasised here. Children are most influenced by the societal factors.

• On being abused, they often get scared and are withdrawn from the society.

• They are always under chronic stress and appear apprehensive

• They exhibit eating problems like bulimia and anorexia.

• If they are abused at school, they refuse to go to school and if abused at home, they often leave for school early and come home late

• Many often tend to run away from home

• They too exhibit aggressive behaviour by bullying those younger or weaker to them

• Self mutilation is often resorted to as a form of escapism.

• Many children show suicidal tendency.

• They fall back on their school work and get low grades.

• Because of underachievement at school, alarming numbers of kids drop out of school and never reach their full potential. Thus, they get jobs below their ability and get frustrated with life

• They fall into drinking habits and drug abuse.

• Increase in incidence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 2,3

Impact on community health: Child abuse does have a longstanding effect on...