Charvez Pratcher
Ms. Dickerson
English 12
March 13, 2013
CHILD ABUSE

Approximately four children die every day as a result of child abuse and neglect. Abused children are not only experience the effects of the abuse in childhood, but it also becomes a lifelong battle into adulthood. There are many statistics that show the probability of children abused every day. There are ways to detects abuse children and how we can help. Child abuse is a common and sad fate for many children today. And the initial rate of abuse is steadily rising.
Child abuse can be defined as many thing such as physical, sexual or emotional mistreatment or neglect of a child. Child abuse occurs when a parent or caretaker physically, emotionally, or sexually mistreats or neglects a child. “In the early 1870s, child abuse captured the nation's attention with news that an eight-year-old orphan named Mary Ellen Wilson was suffering daily whippings and beatings at her foster home. With no organization in existence to protect abused children, the orphan's plight fell to attorneys for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
These attorneys argued that laws protecting animals from abuse should not be greater than laws protecting children. Mary Ellen Wilson's case went before a judge, who convicted the foster mother of assault and battery and gave her a one year sentence. More significantly, the orphan's case generated enough outrage over child abuse that in 1874, citizens formed the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.” (Child Abuse Background and History)
A person may be able to tell if a child is experiencing abuse by reviewing some of the common symptoms apparent to the naked eye. Some examples, such as bruises shaped like hands, fingers, or objects, may also result into broken bones that are unusual and unexplained. In addition, a child may have burn marks in less obvious places like their buttocks, chest, or legs. Choke marks may also be sighted around the neck of fair-skinned individuals. More aggressive physical abuse could result in human bite marks, lash mark, and black eyes. The child may seem frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home. However, things you may see in an infant may differ from symptoms you would see in a child. For instance, an infant can repeatedly experience