How to Stop Child Abuse
Few things are as morally repugnant in our modern era as child abuse. It is a misunderstood social phenomena that can crop up anywhere, and one that needs to be addressed as soon as the first signs are detected. Unfortunately, the effects of child abuse tend to propagate, since abused children grow up and become abusive adults. If you've seen signs of child abuse, be aware that you have a lot of options that can help prevent a lifetime of suffering.
Instructions
Educate yourself about child abuse. According to Jamie Littlefield of CharityGuide, child abusers do not fall into simple categories, and they can be of any economic class, ethnic background, age, race or gender. Stop any child abuse you witness. Do not stand idly by if you see a child being harassed or abused. This includes verbal or emotional abuse. If you believe you have witnessed child abuse, but are afraid to act on it without more information, you can call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child to speak with trained professionals to help evaluate your observations. If you believe a child is in immediate danger to their health or well-being, call 911 and explain the situation to the police. Allow the police to handle a violent individual rather than risking your own safety and the safety of the child. Offer support to potential abusers who are attempting to reform. Child abuse can be frightening to the abuser as well, as the penalty is often losing custody of their children. It also carries a heavy social stigma, and many people who may become abusers find themselves unwilling to seek help out of fear of being judged. Help a potential abuser by referring them to Parents Anonymous to work on positive parenting skills. Encouraging them to contact the National Child Abuse Hotline to receive anonymous counseling. Finally, if you believe abuse is too ingrained to immediately end, contact the Department of Child Protective Services to have an official investigation scheduled.
Child abuse is most common within the family household, and children are much more likely to be abused by their parents than they are at the hands of a stranger. Furthermore, abuse is almost never an isolated event. If you have seen signs of abuse, it is likely a systematic trend in that child's life.