I Think Someone Has or Is Deliberating Harming This Child. I Think There Is Neglect of the Child. Help!

Abstract

Child abuse and neglect have long been recognized to occur. The novels of Charles Dickens created a depressing picture of the plight of some children in Victorian England who did not receive adequate care from their parents. However, until modern times, many in society regarded child abuse and neglect as a problem within families, and not necessarily something that demanded the intrusion of other citizens, or the state, to protect the child. Child abuse, the intentional infliction of harm, was recognized as part of a spectrum of harming children, but its recognition did not lead to protective action. By the 1960s, child abuse and neglect were recognized as societal problems; children often needed intervention and help from outside the family. More recently, specific forms of abuse have been recognized. These include physical abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, female genital cutting and medical abuse. Child abuse and neglect in any and all of its forms have definite long-term deleterious effects on the children affected and can be a cause of death. Recognizing, treating and reporting child abuse is an essential part of pediatric training (Shabde 2006).