Identifying Signs, Symptoms and Complications of Child Abuse

How many of you seated here has a twenty-twenty vision? Approximately 78-85%,
but that doesn’t make you a good problem identifier. A good problem identifier
works to recognize impediments and to clarify the real issues that are hindering
progress. In this case, identifying signs, symptoms and complications of child
abuse is one of the major problem today’s society is facing even though there are
signs of improvements over the years. Being a good problem identifier you will be
able to:

 Stop an escalating abuse.

 Save a child’s future.
 Get justice for the victim.

“Testing the waters” is a term that can be used to describe how an abuse start
developing. E.g. A teacher may have a student who suddenly starts to absent once
a month, then altleast one day every week and then suddenly the child hardly
attend school (attendance 25% of the school year). Assuming that the child is being
neglected or sexually abused him/her would shy away from society which results
in the low attendance rate of the child. If the problem should be identified earlier
the abuse would not escalate any further. Teachers have a responsibility of being a
voice for a child.

Being able to stop an escalating abuse is one thing, but what if a female child is
being sexually abuse for quite some time now? With the somewhat high suicide
rates in Jamaica, victims can take their own life as a result from complications such
as depression, sleeping disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders etc. Taking steps
and actions in identifying these complications of the abuse may save a child’s life.
Whereas parents should check the child’s underwear, notice the child’s reaction to
words relating to sexual relations etc.

Child abuse is on the rise; statistics shows that approximately 2500 males and 3800
females cases where reported in 2009 and approximately 6000 males and 8000
females cases were reported in 2015. This shows that victims are getting justices
for these crimes. Organization such as the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual
Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) and the Child Protection and Family
Services Agency (CPFSA) are put in place to uphold the rights of every child. It is
required for citizens to identify and report the offences to these entities to get
justice for the nation’s children.

Child abuse has been an issue for many years and tackling it has been proven to be
very effective over the pass years. It is very important to stop developing abuse,
get justice for the victim and save a child’s future as it will contribute in saving
ours. The children are the future and we must do what we can to protect them.