Mercer County Children's Advocacy Center

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Mercer County Children's Advocacy Center
  • Home
  • About Mercer CAC
  • What to Expect
    • Forensic Interview Services
    • Medical Exams
    • Trauma Treatment
  • For Families and Children
    • What is Child Abuse and Neglect?
      • Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect
      • Myths and Facts About Child Abuse and Neglect
      • Recognize the Signs of Abuse and Neglect
    • What is Child Neglect?
      • Preventing Neglect
      • Recognize the Signs of Neglect and Emotional Maltreatment
      • Reporting Neglect
      • Responding to Neglect
    • What is Child Physical Abuse?
      • Preventing Physical Abuse
      • Recognize the Signs of Physical Abuse
      • Reporting Physical Abuse
      • Responding to Physical Abuse
    • What is Child Sexual Abuse?
      • Preventing Sexual Abuse
      • Recognize the Signs of Sexual Abuse
      • Reporting Sexual Abuse
      • Responding to Sexual Abuse
    • Keeping your Child Safe
      • Domestic Violence and Kids
  • Resources
    • Reading Resources
    • Resource Guide for Working with Adolescents
    • Talking To Your Children About Sexuality
    • What is Age-Appropriate?
    • What to DO if you Suspect a Child is Being Abused
  • Internet Safety
    • Abbreviations and Text Terms
    • Cyberbullying & Sextortion
    • Facebook- How to Keep My Child Safe
    • Instagram- How to Keep My Child Safe
    • Snapchat- How to Keep My Child Safe
    • Social Media Safety

What is Child Physical Abuse?

So, what is child physical abuse?

sad-stop-child-abuse-16944743-640-759The actual definitions vary by state, but we would consider any physical act by a caregiver that results in a child being hurt or injured.  Pennsylvania’s definition of child abuse has changed as a result of recent amendments to our Child Protective Services Law (CPSL). Effective December 31, 2014, the expanded definition of child abuse lowers the standard of what will be considered child abuse under CPSL.

The definition of child abuse has been amended to require that acts or failures to act be committed intentionally, knowingly or recklessly.

Child abuse has been redefined to:

  • Lower the threshold from serious physical injury to bodily injury which requires impairment of a physical condition or substantial pain rather than severe pain or lasting impairment.
  • Include behaviors that result in exposing children to potentially harmful medical evaluations or treatment such as fabricating, feigning or inducing a medical symptom or disease (Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy).
  • Lower the threshold for serious mental injury to include causing or substantially contributing to the injury through any act or failure to act or series of such acts or failures to act.

The former category of imminent risk has been clarified to include:

  • Kicking, biting, throwing, burning, stabbing or cutting a child in a manner that endangers the child;
  • Unreasonably restraining or confining a child;
  • Forcefully shaking, slapping or otherwise striking a child under one year of age;
  • Interfering with the breathing of a child;
  • Causing the child to be present at a methamphetamine lab, provided there is a law enforcement investigation occurring;

Causing the death of a child through any act or failure to act.

Recognizing signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect

How widespread a problem is it?

In 2014, over 29,000 reports of suspected child abuse were Physical abuse and other abusereceived (a 9% increase over 2013) to child protective services and/or law enforcement in Pennsylvania.  Of this number, just over 3,300 were substantiated.  In Mercer County, these number were 296 reports with 50 substantiated. These numbers represent only those children whose situations were reported.  It’s very likely that many more children are physically abused than the number that are reported.

What are the effects of physical abuse on children in the long term?

The impact of physical abuse on a child’s life can be far-reaching.  It is especially devastating when a parent, the person a child depends on for protection and safety, becomes a danger.  Some become ChildAbusedCryinganxious and depressed.  many physically abused children become aggressive themselves and have other behavioral problems.

Children who’ve been physically abused often have social problems.  they don’t do very well at developing and maintaining friendships.  They don’t trust authority figures.  They don’t feel good about themselves or see themselves as worthy.  They may blame themselves for the abuse and feel that they must keep what goes on in their families a secret.  Reactions vary depending on the age of the child, the kind of abuse, and how long it continues.

long term consequences of abuse on children

How can I help?

First and foremost, the safety of the child must be seen to.  If you suspect abuse or have knowledge of abuse, call ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313.

Treatment can help parents stop abusing their children and keep blue hope ribbontheir children safe.  It is possible to improve abusive parents’ parenting skills and reduce their abusive behaviors.  We also know that there are effective treatments for children’s traumatic stress reactions including improved social lives, relationships, school performance and aggressive behaviors.

Reading Resources

 

Resources

  • What to DO if you Suspect a Child is Being Abused
  • Keeping your Child Safe
    • Domestic Violence and Kids
  • Resource Guide for Working with Adolescents
  • Reading Resources
  • Internet Safety
    • Social Media Safety
    • Facebook- How to Keep My Child Safe
    • Instagram- How to Keep My Child Safe
    • Snapchat- How to Keep My Child Safe
    • Abbreviations and Text Terms
    • Cyberbullying & Sextortion

Mercer County CAC

  • Abbreviations and Text Terms
  • About Mercer CAC
  • Awareness Month Blog
  • Behaviors to Watch Out for When Adults are with Children
  • Contact Us
  • Cyberbullying & Sextortion
  • Domestic Violence and Kids
  • Donation Confirmation
  • Donation Failed
  • Donation History
  • Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect
  • Facebook- How to Keep My Child Safe
  • Family Safety Plan
  • FAQ about Forensic Interview Services
  • For Families and Children
  • Instagram- How to Keep My Child Safe
  • Internet Safety
  • Keeping your Child Safe
  • Medical Exams
  • Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission
  • Mission Statement
  • Myths and Facts About Child Abuse and Neglect
  • Origins of the CAC
  • Preventing Neglect
  • Preventing Physical Abuse
  • Preventing Sexual Abuse
  • Reading Resources
  • Recognize the Signs of Abuse and Neglect
  • Recognize the Signs of Neglect and Emotional Maltreatment
  • Recognize the Signs of Physical Abuse
  • Recognize the Signs of Sexual Abuse
  • Reporting Neglect
  • Reporting Physical Abuse
  • Reporting Sexual Abuse
  • Resource Guide for Working with Adolescents
  • Resources
  • Responding to Neglect
  • Responding to Physical Abuse
  • Responding to Sexual Abuse
  • Snapchat- How to Keep My Child Safe
  • Social Media Safety
  • Talking To Your Children About Sexuality
  • Tip Sheet: How To Protect Your Child From Sexual Abuse In Program Settings*
  • Trauma Treatment
  • Welcome to the Mercer County Children’s Advocacy Center
  • What is Age-Appropriate?
  • What is Child Abuse and Neglect?
  • What is Child Neglect?
  • What is Child Physical Abuse?
  • What is Child Sexual Abuse?
  • What to DO if you Suspect a Child is Being Abused
  • What to Expect at the CAC
  • What to expect when calling ChildLine
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  • What to Expect
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