Category: Abuse

Reason 1: Afraid to Report

One of the reasons why abuse on women and children is rampant is the fact that the victims are afraid of reporting their experiences to the relevant authorities. Hamilton explains that the fear to report is usually based on two things (6). The first is that they would be labeled as victims, and the second is that the abuser, who is often someone they care deeply for, will get into trouble. Additionally, it is important to note that law enforcement has on numerous occasions also been accused of harassing the victims (Whiting, p. 11). Such cases and examples make women and children fear talking about their abuse with the relevant authorities although children might report the issue to an older person that they trust. Other types of abuse on both women and children are also hard to prosecute in a court of law, therefore, the fear to report is associated with the long court process that might not even be successful.

It is critical to point out that many children would rather not report any form of abuse to a person they trust due to the fact that they are afraid of the repercussions of such accusations. Hamilton confirms that due to their age, some parents or guardians usually find it hard to believe the children (p. 7). This, coupled with the fact that social workers have been highlighted as not believing children in the system who have accused adults of abuse, makes a bad precedent for reporting. Regardless of the reasons, one can argue that the first way of lowering cases of abuse among women and children is reporting. The low levels of reporting also affect policy development as laws are often passed based on available data.

Solution

In the event that a victim of abuse is afraid to report, a family or close friend can report the abuse on their behalf. Any form of abuse, whether physical or emotional, can be recounted to law enforcement agents for the abuser. There are various reasons why one can be prompted to account to the police an abuse case. Often, the victim is not able to report as an abused woman or children do not have the opportunity to get out of the house because of strict measures enforced by the abuser. Secondly, the abused is afraid to record the case due to expected repercussions. Arguably, accounting to the police for abuse on someone should ideally be done with their consent. This is important for the mental health of the victim. It is often hard for loved ones to see a family member abused yet they refuse or are afraid to report. However, as Bermea et al. observe, this can cause mental health complications in the victim (1000). Even though no permission is legally required for one to report an abuse case, it is recommended that the victim be informed unless he or she is considered not to be in the right frame of mind.

Often, social workers can be contacted in the event that the abuse is on a child, regardless of whether the child is in the system or not. In the event that the person reporting does not trust the police, they can approach the areas child protection offices and report to a social worker. It is prudent that the victims understand that there are laws and policies that protect them from such harm.

Reason 2: Nowhere to Go

Shelter and safe spaces are critical when thinking about relocating an abuse victim. Whiting also adds that one of the reasons why abused women and children tolerate the abuser is the fact that they do not have anywhere else to go (p. 11). Davis and Love argue that the most abused people are vulnerable either through the lack of financial power or flailing health (p. 255). In the instances that finances are an issue, a woman would choose to remain with her abuser as she feels trapped. The lack of access to a safe place to stay can also be coupled by fear of being a burden to other people. Indeed, those who are abused have relatives and friends but as Davis and Love observe, many believe that they will become an extra expense to other family members if they decided to leave (p. 256). In addition, the victims normally feel like their abuser will follow them to their relatives and friends homes.

It is important to note that children often also do not have anywhere safe to go as they are usually either at home with their parents when the abuse happens or living with a guardian paired through the foster system. Consequently, such children will often prefer to be anywhere else but home or the shelter. Davis and Love explain that the feeling of not being safe contributes significantly to the Stockholm syndrome where the abused believes that the perpetrator is truly caring for them (p. 256). In such cases, the victim thinks that the violent person loves them and genuinely prefer staying in the abusive relationship. It is often recommended that the abused be removed from the premises where the violence takes place immediately in order to avoid further mental anguish.

Solution

A viable solution for the lack of a place to go can be resolved through building of more safe houses for victims of abuse. It is important that these safe houses be gender sensitive as many of the abused individuals usually fear the opposite gender, especially if they have been victims for a long time. It is critical to note that many of the mistreated women have children who they also move with when they are taken to a womens shelter. Since these shelters are limited, they are temporary and the women and their children have to find alternatives within a short time. It can be argued that the limited spaces availed in the shelters affect the victims desire to move from their home (albeit it being the place where the abuse happens) into the safe house.

Currently, safe houses have been built by the government, non-governmental organizations and well-wishers. Debatably, however, it is upon the government to protect these women and children, thus, they should be able to build more safe houses. Indeed, even though they are temporary, safe houses should also consider the ability of a victim to reconnect with the outside world on an individual basis. There are some abused women who only need the courage to report and leave their abuser. On the other hand, there are some who need financial assistance and even mental health assessments and treatments before they are released to the outside world. More safe houses would ensure that all abuse victims have a place to go and get the professional help that they need without the worry of being asked to leave.

Reason 3: Fear of Being Judged

The fear of being judged by others has also forced victims to stay with their abuser. Bermea et al. explain that victims are often discriminated against as people do not understand why they stayed in an abusive relationship (p.988). Many people in the society do not feel they would tolerate a violent partner. However, many of those who judge also do not think about how these women feel about the whole situation. Either they do not have the financial support they need to move out, they are emotional involved in the relationship, or they believe that their partner will change. In fact, Hamilton confirms that a significant number of women who have left abusive relationships look back and wonder why they stayed (p. 7). This goes to show that the victim is often not in the right frame of mind to leave the toxic relationship.

Issues of stigma are also common when victims are reintegrated into the society. In highly cultural societies, the discrimination is based on the fact that an abused person is believed to have embarrassed her family. Such cultures do not permit women to discuss their marital issues, including abuse, with anyone as it is viewed as a taboo. Bermea et al. confirm that because of these cultural or traditional biases, Spanish and black American women are the most insulted in the US (p. 988). The fear of stigma stops abuse victims from reporting or even leaving their abuser. The idea that a victim will always be perceived as such for life is a part of the stigma. Both abusers and victims use this notion to inflict more pain for the former and stay for the latter.

Solution

A solution to the fear of being judged and stigmatized is counselling and group sessions. Murray and Crowe argue that individual counselling aims at making the person come to terms with what has happened to them (p. 169). In these sessions, the professional tries to make the victim feel comfortable and understand that they did not deserve to be abused. The scholars advise that all abuse victims get individual counselling before partaking in group sessions. An advantage of individual therapy is that the counsellor can also get to understand the victim better. This means they can improve their therapy plan to get good results. Since individual therapy is done immediately after a woman detaches herself from her abuser, it is critical that it starts slowly. If the victim has children, or if the children have been abused, it is also important that they have individual sessions first. Later, the whole family can have therapy sessions as a unit.

The abused woman can join the group sessions once the counsellor feels she is ready. The group sessions encourage the victims to tell other participants their story. This is critical in healing as it helps the victims understand that they are not alone. Also, the sessions give the abused courage to face other people and tell them what happened. Murray and Crowe argue that group sessions are vital in reintegrating the abused women into society as the groups are dynamic and made of victims who are at different stages of their healing journey (216). Therefore, a new member will be able to meet with other participants, victims who have stayed in a safe house for some time, abused women who have just moved out of the safe houses and women who have been reintegrated back into society.

Works Cited

1. Bermea, M. Autumn, et al. Mental and Active Preparation: Examining Variations in Womens Processes of Preparing to Leave Abusive Relationships. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, vol. 35, no. 3-4, 2017, pp. 9881011.
2. Davis, L. Jenny, and Tony P. Love. Women Who Stay: A Morality Work Perspective. Social Problems, vol. 65, no. 2, 2018, pp. 251265.
3. Hamilton, Ashley. Understanding the Experiences of Women Who Stay in Abusive Relationships. Dissertation, University of Regina, 2017. UOR, 2017.
4. Murray, E. Christine, and Allison Crowe. Overcoming the Stigma of Intimate Partner Abuse. Taylor & Francis, 2016.
5. Whiting, B. Jason. Eight Reasons Women Stay in Abusive Relationships. Faculty Publications, Brigham Young University, 2016.

Introduction

The topic of my research is the question, How does substance abuse affect mental health in High School? This topic is relevant because, recently, the number of people who use drugs has increased significantly. In connection with this, the number of students who, for one reason or another, begin to try drugs has also increased. The reasons may be a banal interest to try something new in their life and to alleviate the stress caused by the study in the educational institution.

Discussion

In this study, it is essential to take into account not only the students point of view but also that of the staff who have to work with a problem child. This is especially true in the medical field. It is no secret that in the mainstream, the nursing department is called upon to provide first aid and to notify the parents of the problem child. With this in mind, it is necessary to formulate a hypothesis that asks whether nursing staff should objectively give first aid to children affected by drugs and what steps need to be taken. The problem is proliferating, so it is essential not only to be able to identify the problem but also to provide first aid, which will consist of the proper steps with the minimization of external influences.

Conclusion

This topic is also important because, in the context of the future work of a nurse, it is essential to be able to train not only theoretical knowledge but also practical. Since society is trying to eradicate the problem and provide as much support to the victims as possible, it is essential to be able to find the proper steps to solve it. Obviously, it is crucial to minimize the occurrence of such cases, but in the case of their event, it is necessary to be prepared for the correct decision.

Introduction

Adverse health problems in infancy, adolescence, and adulthood are frequently correlated with child maltreatment, which includes neglect, physical and sexual abuse, and psychological abuse. Deleterious effects of child abuse involve decreased neurocognitive endurance of stress, deteriorated overall physical health, enhanced unsafe health habits, psychiatric problems, inhibited intellectual and cognitive growth, high violent and criminal behavior, and higher mortality throughout adulthood (Maguire-Jack et al., 2018). According to a recent analysis, the overall lifetime cost for children in the U.S. with reported cases of maltreatment was around $585 billion in 2010, or close to 4% of the countrys GDP in that year (Maguire-Jack et al., 2018). Hence, child maltreatment is not only pervasive but costly, and the incidence of child abuse can be more prevalent in areas susceptible to household instability, such as Cleveland, Ohio.

Main Body

Child maltreatment has been prevalent for many decades and has been influenced by many factors. In the 1960s, child abuse became a rising social issue (Gross-Manos et al., 2019-a). However, with time, some initiatives and policies that intend to prevent child abuse have expanded and connected with already-existing programs or interventions. Nevertheless, the correct circumstances and the inclusion of leadership are also necessary for an initiative to be implemented successfully. The ability to offer what is required may be ensured with the aid of the proper infrastructure. The solution should be delivered by local leaders, and participants should be deeply dedicated to enhancing the lives of children. It should be a top priority to fulfil these requirements.

When it comes to studies, there are numerous evaluations of child maltreatment effects and its prevalence in certain regions (Hoyle et al., 2022). For example, child maltreatment is prevalent in areas with high levels of poverty, unemployment, housing instability, and disruption. The housing problem of 20072009, which saw an increased incidence of bankruptcies, created additional opportunities to learn more about how neighborhood-level issues may contribute to child abuse (Hoyle et al., 2022). Particularly, bankruptcies may initiate a cycle of abandonment and deterioration, resulting in the growth of elements linked to child abuse, such as homelessness and poverty.

Due to a lack of means, including shelters or legal assistance, and an absence of political influence to demand greater police protection or stronger local services, areas with higher percentages of poverty may be especially vulnerable to child abuse. Predatory lending techniques during the mortgage crisis also unfairly targeted minority areas, which may have made pressures at the local levellike povertyassociated with child abuse greater (Hoyle et al., 2022). In the study of Hoyle et al. (2022), researchers looked at the effect of bankruptcies on child abuse in Cleveland areas. It was discovered that there is a significant association between child abuse and bankruptcy incidence.

However, the incidence of child maltreatment is only rising, and there is no significant decreasing trend. In the U.S., there were almost 7.5 million child maltreatment complaints in 2015 (Maguire-Jack et al., 2018). Child abuse has a negative impact on a childrens ability to develop normally. Children who have suffered abuse are more likely to report having damaged wellbeing, being overweight, struggling with depressive episodes, using alcohol, cigarettes, and other substances, and drinking excessively (Maguire-Jack et al., 2018). Furthermore, studies have indicated that child abuse can have an impact on the nervous system, which can slow down intellectual, linguistic, and mental development.

Moreover, there is an excessive number of black children in the child protection group in the U.S., which has spurred a lot of study on the subject. Understanding the causes behind the increased prevalence of Black children in the child protection system is essential, given the serious detrimental effects of child abuse on children (Maguire-Jack et al., 2018). The misallocation of social services throughout neighbourhoods may be one possible factor by which Black children may be more inclined to engage with the child welfare systems. For example, Black parents in the sample of households in Ohio indicated more physical abuse, researchers discovered (Maguire-Jack et al., 2018). The findings of the study are in line with federal data on racial differences in child abuse.

When trying to explain the phenomena of child maltreatment, it is thought that there is a complicated interaction between risk and preventive variables, which leads to such incidence. Certain social services accessibility has previously been linked to reduced incidence of abuse and lower individual propensity for negligent conduct (Maguire-Jack et al., 2018). Lower rates of child maltreatment are specifically linked to more housing and adoption resources being available (Maguire-Jack et al., 2018). Furthermore, the association between alcohol accessibility and rates of maltreatment is mitigated by increased access to drug addiction programmes.

What is noteworthy is that the first stage in deeper comprehension and reaction to child maltreatment is to precisely measure lifelong exposure to it, however, the majority of big research and available data collections only measure maltreatment over the course of one year. According to Kim et al. (2017), from birth to age 10 in Cleveland, Ohio, child protection services (CPS) examined 31.0% of children for possible abuse, and 19.5% of those inquiries revealed enough evidence to support abuse in court for 19.5% of the children. By the time they were 18 years old, it was calculated that 12.5% of U.S. children had experienced child abuse in their lives (Kim et al., 2017). However, they only took into account CPS-verified claims of abuse.

The timeline is another important consideration in studies on child abuse. The biggest challenge in properly remembering events that occurred many years ago or before the onset of juvenile amnesia is one of the main drawbacks of this retrospective research (Kim et al., 2017). Given the devastating neurologic and health effects of very early mistreatment, this is an issue. According to the most current round of the three public polls on childrens experiences with violence, 38.1% of children had been mistreated by the time they turned 17 years old (Kim et al., 2017). Adults were polled in 2001-2002, which discovered an incidence of lifetime maltreatment of 41.5% for supervisory negligence, 11.8% for physical neglect, 28.4% for physical assault, and 4.5% for sexual assault (Kim et al., 2017). Thus, in Cleveland, numerous individuals experienced maltreatment as children.

Given the socioeconomic and demographic shifts that have occurred in Cleveland, Ohio, over the past 20 years, caregivers beliefs about the causes of child abuse have remained mostly consistent during two time periods that were separated by 20 years. The most significant causes of child maltreatment, according to caregivers overall rankings of the categories, were drugs, alcohol, and psychological or emotional issues, whereas the least significant causes were divorced, single parents, and lack of faith (Gross-Manos et al., 2019-b). Narcotics, alcoholism, and psychological/emotional issues all received strong and consistent ratings of extremely high (Gross-Manos et al., 2019-b). The lack of variation in caregiver evaluations across individual and neighbourhood characteristics, as well as overtime, prevented statistical evaluation of alterations in caregiver ratings over time through regression models (Gross-Manos et al., 2019-b). This result is in line with the notion that irrespective of socioeconomic circumstances, substance abuse and mental health issues can have a significant impact on child wellbeing.

Violent crime and drug crimes were mostly steady over time, with little variance among communities in comparison to neighborhood-level factors. Nevertheless, SNAP rates and maltreatment inquiry rates increased from the previous time point to 2014-2015, and they also varied more between the study communities (Gross-Manos et al., 2019-b). It is noteworthy that Cleveland had an inquiry rate in 20142015 that was more than double the national average, at almost 100 per 1,000 kids (Gross-Manos et al., 2019-b). This much higher prevalence highlights the necessity for more research into this Cleveland trend.

Lastly, local-based solutions have been proposed as useful in assisting in and reducing child maltreatment since it has been demonstrated that neighbourhood dynamics have an impact on child abuse rates. Despite being at the frontline of the fight against child abuse, little is known about how closely child welfare professionals and local peoples opinions on neighbourhood processes connected to child abuse agree (Gross-Manos et al., 2019-a). A sizable amount of research has examined how child welfare employees make judgments in relation to child protection services (Gross-Manos et al., 2019-a). While some investigations have found a link between neighbourhood traits and abuse report rates, there hasnt been much focus on how areas could directly affect child protection employees choices.

The study by Gross-Manos et al. demonstrated that neighbourhood perceptions of social dysfunction and collective effectiveness may differ between locals and child welfare professionals. The fact that there are disparities in perceptions, which may have practical ramifications, is more crucial. Likewise, the attitudes of citizens and child welfare workers may differ, which might hinder or help an intervention (Gross-Manos et al., 2019-a). If residents believe their area already has appropriate levels of team effectiveness, they may be less motivated to participate in an intervention to increase it (Gross-Manos et al., 2019-a). Child welfare professionals may be less likely to work in specific neighbourhoods if they have a tendency to perceive those communities less favourably than locals do.

In the future, I would like to lead an agency that focuses on the victims of sexual assault and their wellbeing. I am already the Executive Director of the Sexual Assault Coalition, and I believe that there can be more contributions to society. I think that among the most crucial leadership aspects required will pertain to communication style, ability to work with diverse employees, management information security, secondary trauma as a retention tool, and interdisciplinary teamwork.

First, it is vital to communicate effectively with both a victim and an employee. One of the most important and sometimes undervalued communication skills for experts is the capacity to build rapport (Sabin, 2022). In leadership, one must show that they are dependable, consistent, and friendly and that they genuinely care about others (Sabin, 2022). As for information security management, in leadership, it is vital to ensure the protection of data assets from threats and weaknesses. Without such quality, the organization and its safety will be undermined. In leadership, it is also crucial to get further training in trauma-informed practises, particularly secondary trauma, which may be very helpful in maintaining empathy and learning specific ways for reducing stress and later enhancing retention rate.

Additionally, interdisciplinary approaches rely on experts from many fields and individuals working together as a team. The most successful teams encourage position interdependence and responsibility sharing while honouring the expertise and individuality of each team participant (Rauvola et al., 2019). As a result, it is important to encourage and implement interdisciplinary approaches as a leader. With this, it is necessary to have the ability to work with diverse employees. Such ability will help with relationship-building, cultural awareness, and self-awareness.

As for the managerial competencies I would like to display, these include problem-solving, focus on the client, motivation, and practical communication skills. When working in an agency that helps the victims of sexual assault, it is vital to demonstrate communication skills and a client-oriented approach. I believe that by steering the employee toward a more empathetic work style, it will be possible to reach the best outcomes. Moreover, I think that motivation and problem-solving skills will be an excellent addition to such a set of competencies since it allows to find solutions to clients problems.

Conclusion

Neglect, physical and sexual abuse and psychological abuse are all examples of child maltreatment, which is commonly linked to adverse health issues in infancy, adolescence, and adulthood. Child abuse grew in significance as a societal concern in the 1960s. Child protection services (CPS) in Cleveland, Ohio, generally assessed 31.0% of children from birth to age 10 for potential abuse. It is notable that Cleveland had an inquiry rate of approximately 100 per 1,000 children in 20142015, which was more than double the national average. As a result, there is a widespread issue that requires attention. In the future, I hope to run a group that prioritizes the welfare of sexual assault victims. For this, I will need to focus on leadership qualities that involve communication, trauma-informed practices, and the embracement of team diversity. I will also need to focus on managerial competencies, such as problem-solving, focus on the client, motivation, and practical communication skills.

References

Gross-Manos, D., Haas, B. M., Richter, F., Crampton, D., Korbin, J. E., Coulton, C. J., & Spilsbury, J. C. (2019-a). Two sides of the same neighborhood? Multilevel analysis of residents and child-welfare workers perspectives on neighborhood social disorder and collective efficacy. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 89(6), 682. Web.

Gross-Manos, D., Haas, B. M., Richter, F., Korbin, J. E., Coulton, C. J., Crampton, D., & Spilsbury, J. C. (2019-b). Why does child maltreatment occur? Caregiver perspectives and analyses of neighborhood structural factors across twenty years. Children and Youth Services Review, 99, 138-145. Web.

Hoyle, M. E., Chamberlain, A. W., & Wallace, D. (2022). The effect of home foreclosures on child maltreatment rates: A longitudinal examination of neighborhoods in Cleveland, Ohio. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(5-6), 2768-2790. Web.

Kim, H., Wildeman, C., Jonson-Reid, M., & Drake, B. (2017). Lifetime prevalence of investigating child maltreatment among US children. American Journal of Public Health, 107(2), 274-280. Web.

Maguire-Jack, K., Cao, Y., & Yoon, S. (2018). Racial disparities in child maltreatment: The role of social service availability. Children and Youth Services Review, 86, 49-55. Web.

Rauvola, R. S., Vega, D. M., & Lavigne, K. N. (2019). Compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious traumatization: A qualitative review and research agenda. Occupational Health Science, 3(3), 297-336. Web.

Sabin, N. (2022). Communicating with children: A guide for those working with children who have or may have been sexually abused. CSA Centre. Web.

According to the author, substance abuse is one of the major problems which have seized most individuals in the United States. It is a problem for all sets of the population. I think that author was correct according to his statement. This is because many people of all sorts of ages groups in the state have such problems. Due to substance abuse, several people suffer from addiction, and this results in mental disorders.

This has made mind disorders to be a common problem for most substance abusers. Many prisons in the United States are filled with culprits who have been convicted of the use of illegal drugs. Drug abusers include those who use alcoholic drinks, people addicted to a narcotic substance, and those addicted to a chemical substance or prescription medications. In addition, there are several patients in the health centers undergoing treatment due to drug overdose and abuse. This has made lives in many families to be at stake in their continuity as well as a happy living.

It is said that many substance abusers do not get well. This might be mostly due to the facts the author presents. He argues that all counselors no matters their field of specialty and setting come across people who are suffering from all sorts of substance abuse. However, the counselors lack the knowledge and skill of such substances. I, therefore, agree with the author, because the lack of knowledge of the substance and the skills in the various substances will automatically make them not deliver their services fully to their clients.

Hence, most of them remain to struggle with the problems for the rest of their life. They find themselves struggling with experiences such as eating gambling, sex, and work addiction. You find that people who are addicted to marijuana may take a lot of food or may not eat at all for several days. This becomes a problem for them. The same experiences are expected with those addicts of cocaine and alcoholic drinks.

On the side of the author, I found it so hard to believe his statements that counseling is a process that is beneficial to most clients of skilled counselors, yet a significant number of the clients are depicted to show adverse conditions rather than improvement. This is not even supported by the research. Research indicates just very few addicts get healed and better than before they underwent counseling.

The information was presented. This is because there was brevity, corrective ness, and clarity of sentences. It had a good flow of points whereby there is a consecutive step-by-step connection of the information.

The author was very sensitive to the diversity of issues in many ways. While he was making his statements, he made sure that he included gender sensitivity. This is shown by the usage of the word like his and her in the sentences where applicable. He also tries to tackle things dealing with different communities. He summarizes his work by mention that drug abuse is a social problem. This clears the boundaries of gender, culture, and ethnicity.

It is my opinion that counseling processes have not been so effective in the past. This can be attributed as due to a lack of the required knowledge and skill in the specialty of counseling. I, therefore, think that it will be better for institutions offering counseling programs to change the programs so that students will be well qualified as they go out to practice what they have learned in classrooms. By changing the programs, candidates will be given a better understanding of particular substance abuses, hence be in a better position to deliver their services to the clients. (Aguilar, 1991)

Reference

Aguilar, M. (1991): Mexican-American families: A psycho educational approach for addressing chemical dependency and codependency.

Introduction

The topic of child abuse and neglect is a heavy one, but it requires an additional spotlight to attract societys attention to this issue. This long-standing societal problem, when brought under the public eye, can be dismantled by peer pressure from the community on the government to take necessary actions to stop the harassment. The thesis of this paper is that while the media sometimes uses child abuse cases to lure more viewers, it also plays a crucial role in bringing public attention to this societal problem. The essay will present an analysis and comparison of five media sources, including one film and four news articles that deal with the topic of child abuse in the United States.

Media Research and Analysis

The first newspaper article by Paul and Elinson is called Child-abuse reports are falling, and thats bad news for children, which concerns the decrease in reported cases during pandemics. The article includes a shocking story of child abuse being witnessed by Dr. Nienow in a childrens hospital to evoke frustration in a reader. The report provides statistics that show a significant drop in registered cases rates in many states. Due to the prolonged and often unavoidable contact between family members, with the addition of a stressful situation in the world, the number of abuse cases tends to rise (Paul & Elinson, 2020). Depression, even non-chronic, is one of the leading causes of child abuse (Crosson-Tower, 2014). By keeping a close eye on families where domestic violence against children is more likely to happen during crises, authorities can prevent such cases from passing without notice.

Communication between a teacher or a caretaker and social services is a crucial link in abuse prevention. The authors link this issue with the fact that children are no longer being examined by non-family members for any signs of abuse (Paul & Elinson, 2020). Crosson-Tower (2014) writes that recently, teachers have also become increasingly involved with the prevention of abuse (p. 244). By excluding their participation in the process, the whole prevention system is severely weakened and requires new interventions to protect the children. This article shows the statistical signs of child harassment while highlighting the role of schools and kindergartens in the prevention of such incidents.

The second article bears the title Alabama daycare worker charged with abusing children, it contains a brief report on the case of prolonged child abuse by a kindergarten employee. This news piece is a short story that aims to summarize the trial of Candelin Hyde, who has used physical force to make children comply with her commands. Physical abuse can be hidden by applying force in such a way that it leaves minimal markings, which further complicates the detection of this issue (Crosson-Tower, 2014). This tactic was used by Hyde, however, the childrens parents eventually did notice the bruises and reported her actions to the police (Alabama daycare worker charged with abusing children, 2020). The noticeable part of this article is the fact that the court did not release the name of the facility where the incident took place to avoid attracting negative attention and damaging its reputation.

The third article by Madani is titled Florida deputy charged with child abuse after slamming teen to the ground by her throat. The offender used excessive force on a 15-year old student without causing severe bodily harm. The sheriffs department quickly started to condemn the actions of the deputy who committed this felony to avoid a significant reputation hit (Madani, 2020). As the incident took place in a school for children with emotional needs, the consequences of this maltreatment can be even worse for the childs psyche. The uniqueness of this media piece is that it does not only focus on the incident but also describes how similar cases undermine the reputation of authorities. In this case, the news website works as a mediator and allows sheriff representatives to prevent unnecessary negativity towards the police. At the same time, the behavior of this sheriff who was assigned on the duty that required the high-stress resistance implies that the authority might be at fault as well.

The fourth article posted by City News Service in LA bears the title Noah Cuatro case: Parents plead not guilty in 4-year-old Palmdale boys death. It contains an in-depth description of an incident, along with a backstory that led to this tragedy. This case of abuse and neglect has several details that are omitted in other chosen articles. It reveals legal elements of the investigation that depict inadequate reaction of the county Department of Children and Family Services. The story provides horrifying details that show the fact that authorities were contacted by the dead boys great-grandmother, who reported abuse several times but was ultimately ignored (City News Service, 2020). The statement by DCFS lacks any indication of guilt or investigation of the incident, which further worsens the situation.

The situation was requiring immediate actions that were not taken. Recognition of abuse must be a priority for social services, especially if it was hinted at by a family member. Social services had to assess the situation and, if necessary, refer the case to the court to put the child to safety (Crosson-Tower, 2014). Crosson-Tower emphasizes that child neglect cases are numerous, difficult to identify, and even harder to resolve without putting the child in danger (Crosson-Tower, 2014). Despite its apparent complexity, the lack of action by the local authorities resulted in the death of a child.

The last media piece for analysis is the movie Room, which is an adaptation of the book with the same name by Emma Donoghue that shows a fictional child abuse incident. It tells a heartbreaking story of a woman named Joy, who is being held captive by a psychopath for seven years and has a 5-year old boy named Jack, who was born in captivity. The child suffers from psychological abuse as his mother chose not to reveal that they are trapped in a small shed, instead she convinces him that this is the only real part of the world. Jacks mother involved him in essential day-to-day rituals that play a crucial role in a functional family (Crosson-Tower, 2014). Crosson-Tower (2014) states that psychologically maltreated child often suffers feelings of being inadequate, isolated, unwanted, or unloved, and they consider themselves unworthy (p. 200). To prevent this from happening, Jacks mother decided to avoid exposure to the dreadful reality, which successfully helps the child not to exhibit behavioral issues after their eventual escape (Abrahamson, 2015). The victim continues to have a recurring idea that the confinement might have been a suitable place for him to live, as the boy tries to adjust to the sudden change in his life.

The uniqueness of this story is the fact that it also includes a thorough examination of the post-traumatic stress disorder that Joy suffers after escaping the confinement and the depiction of Jacks integration into society. In the end, Jack and Joy revisit the room to say their final goodbyes to show that it no longer weighs them down. The movie and its approach to this topic come in stark contrast with the regular news reports of child abuse cases since they closely examine the psychological aspects of both ongoing and past abuse.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the variety of stories of child abuse and neglect that are showing up in media help with battling the issue by raising social awareness and creating an empathetic link between viewers and victims. These media pieces provide a wide variety of approaches to highlighting child abuse. The content of each analyzed work offers a unique collection of data related to the case, whether it is a fictional or real story. The victims of the described crimes suffer from parental and societal dysfunctions that inflict great harm and take a significant emotional and physical toll. However, some of the examined articles have been unsuccessful in their attempts to show how legal actions taken by authorities lead to more efficient policies against child abuse and neglect. Crosson-Tower (2014) states that for some families, the intervention of authority, represented by protective services, is enough to give the child some protection (p. 216). Despite this fact, it can be seen in some cases that authorities do not take necessary precautions, do not react in a timely manner, or a perpetrator is an authoritarian figure themselves. In this case, media attention can turn the public eye onto this glaring issue, forcing the government to improve the lacking elements.

The differences show that it is vital for media sources to handle the information, especially personal data, with great care. Some of these pieces can be described as purely informational, while the topic calls for an emotional response. The severity of the depicted crimes and the implications of provided statistics show that there is a prominent need for action. By publishing these stories, the media can stir people into taking action against child harassment. However, Crosson-Tower (2014) warns that media attention can also aggravate an already emotionally charged atmosphere (p. 264). Moreover, there is a need to find the balance between attracting public attention and keeping families who are involved in these scandals safe from unwanted intrusion into their privacy (Crosson-Tower, 2014). The sensational aspect of media reports can amplify emotional damage and provoke continuous harassment of victims, their parents, and other involved sides.

This sensitive topic, while benefiting from such coverage, also provides a breeding ground for hatred, therefore, it is necessary to publish these stories with great caution. As such news regarding real-life incidents can have an adverse impact on victims lives, fictional genres create a more suitable example without harming anybody. However, society can achieve a more conscious attitude toward child abuse and neglect by shedding light on real-world cases, as they tend to evoke a higher emotional response. Human civilization needs to address this issue without stigmatization or ignorance.

References

Abrahamson, L. (Director), & Donoghue, E. (Writer). (2015). Room [film]. Filmnation Entertainment et al.

Alabama daycare worker charged with abusing children. (2020). AP NEWS. Web.

City News Service. (2020). Noah Cuatro case: Parents plead not guilty in 4-year-old Palmdale boys death. ABC7 Los Angeles. Web.

Crosson-Tower, C. (2014). Understanding child abuse and neglect (9th ed.). Pearson College Division.

Madani, D. (2019). Florida deputy charged with child abuse after slamming teen to the ground by her throat. NBC News. Web.

Paul, D., & Elinson, Z. (2020). Child-abuse reports are falling, and thats bad news for children. WSJ. Web.

Alcohol Abuse Essay Introduction

Alcoholism and drug addiction are considered not only purely medical but also social problems of modern society. Alcohol and drug abuse have been known since ancient times and have now extended to disturbing proportions in the world community.

Even when limiting alcohol and drug abuse to legally permissible levels, many countries recognize them as a social disaster.

The recognition of alcohol and drug abuse (with certain exclusions regarding social drinking) as threatening problems is widely accepted beyond national borders and social characteristics. At the same time, this problem is even more concerning regarding its occurrence in the young generation. This paper will examine the fact that drug and alcohol abuse is a serious problem among young people.

Health Problems

The use of alcohol and drugs currently presents the most serious threat to the health and well-being of many young people. In regards to alcohol, the conclusion of public health services is clear: there is no scientific acknowledgment of a safe limit of the consumption of alcohol. It is especially so when it concerns children and teenagers, who are the most vulnerable population.

Regarding drugs, the most horrifying consequences are concerned with fatal outcomes. For example, In 1989, there were 1,200 deaths in the United Kingdom where the underlying cause was attributed to drug dependence or non-dependent abuse of drugs or controlled drugs were somehow implicated as a cause. (Plant, and Plant 72)

There are many alcohol and drug-related health issues, but fatal outcomes are definitely their most dangerous consequences. In the case of alcohol, driving can be seen as a serious threat. According to statistics, The rate of fatal crashes among alcohol-involved drivers between 16 and 20 years old is more than twice the rate for alcohol-involved drivers 21 and older. (The Health Effects of Teen Alcohol Use)

Moreover, the interaction of alcohol with such conditions as depression can lead to suicide, which is the third leading cause of death among people between the ages of 14 and 25. (The Health Effects of Teen Alcohol Use)

Violence

Violence can be considered a direct consequence of alcohol and drug abuse. Violence among young people is a massive problem in our society, and its extent is difficult to determine. The impact of drug and alcohol abuse on young people can go in both directions, where they can be the ones applying violence and its victims.

An annual survey conducted by The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows, as of 2000, that illicit drug users were also about 16 times more likely than nonusers to report being arrested and booked for larceny or theft; more than 14 times more likely to be arrested and booked for such offenses as driving under the influence, drunkenness, or liquor law violations; and more than 9 times more likely to be arrested and booked on an assault charge. (Drug-Related Crime) Victims of violence are often raised in a family where one or both parents abuse alcohol and drugs.

Explaining the background of such families, it should be mentioned that several factors lead to such violent environment, where kids are raised in poverty, often with drug and alcohol problems, in neighborhoods where drugs and crime are common and jobs are scarce. (Covering Child Abuse)

Social Consequences

The social consequences of alcohol and drug abuse lie within the reasons people using such substances. Aside from such factors as curiosity, risk-taking, and imitation, many people are using drugs and alcohol to escape reality or some stressful life events.

Accordingly, if these substances were heavily abused for a long time, it can make the users emotionally unadapted, feeling uncomfortable in public, having difficulties coping with life obstacles, and lacking social interests or plans for the future.

Another consequence can be seen through forming specific groups of friends who share the same habits, and thus making a circle that is hard to escape. This can affect education, where studies have shown that school drop-out is more common among heavy-drinking students than among others. (Klingemann)

Drug Abuse Conclusion Essay

It can be seen through the consequences discussed above that alcohol and drug abuse among young people is indeed posing a serious social problem. However, these consequences are only small parts of the problem of young people using drugs and alcohol.

The most considerable concern regarding the young generation is that they are the foundation for the future. Governments and countries are trying to erase many past mistakes by raising and encouraging a generation that will have the best characteristics. These characteristics will allow them to keep the nation strong. This can become quite difficult when this foundation is facing serious problems.

Works Cited

Covering Child Abuse. American Journalism Review Sept. 1997: 1+.

Drug-Related Crime. 2000. Drug policy Information Clearing House.Web.

The Health Effects of Teen Alcohol Use. 2008. Teen Drug Abuse.

Klingemann, Harald. Alcohol and Its Social Consequences  the Forgotten Dimension. 2001. World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe.

Plant, Martin, and Moira Plant. Risk-Takers: Alcohol, Drugs, Sex, and Youth. New York: Tavistock Routledge, 1992.

Introduction

Drug and substance abuse amongst teenagers is a global menace. Millions of youths are seriously engaging in drug and substance abuse posing a threat to the future generation. Youths across the world have now tested all kinds of drugs including cigarettes and alcohol to hard drugs like cocaine, cannabis, and heroin (Newcomb, Scheier, and Bentler 230).

The rates of drug abuse have been increasing over the decades. World drug report estimates indicate Over 153 million and 300 million people aged 15-64 of the worlds population have consumed illicit drugs (United Nations Office on Drug and Crime 48). Several organizations and initiatives have emphasized on this issue and tried to put strategies to handle it. Drug abuse among youths and teenagers has been eminent in almost all countries in the world cutting across developed countries to developing countries including famous countries and states like the US, Germany, and China.

According to Newcomb, Scheier, and Bentler (215), some of the commonly abused drugs by adolescents include alcohol, cigarettes, cannabis, and cocaine. Youths have been doing drugs and thus creating serious addiction that further interferes with their personal as well as affecting people close to them. Despite acknowledging the adverse effects of drug abuse, youths have continuously kept on abusing drugs. Therefore, this essay seeks to identify major causes and effects related to drug misuse in teenagers.

Causes of Drug Abuse

There are numerous causes of drug abuse identified and tested empirically, viz. peer pressure, parental influence, and socio-economic aspects among others. Beginning with peer pressure, several studies have examined how peer pressure is a contributing factor in teenage drug abuse. Conventionally, individuals in most cases are normally defined with what happens within their environment. Most youths like associating themselves with groups commonly known as peer groups.

The United Nations Office on Drug and Crime indicates, Most people obtain their first dose of illicit drugs from a friend, family member, or romantic partner (91). In this context, a small number of drug users in a group will probably influence the rest of the members into consuming drugs. In most cases, human beings are greatly influenced by the living environment in which they spend most of their time. Peer groups develop within ones immediate environment and in youth schools, neighborhoods and social clubs tend to influence the formation of peer groups.

Family structure and family behavior influence personal attributes. Most modern families tend to adopt elegant living styles influenced by westernization. A family living with traditional manners is mostly associated with naivety. In this modern world, cultural values have eroded consequently leading to a decline in social norms.

Bahr, Hoffman, and Yang observed social theories and concluded that family and peer relationships are important in examining causes of drug abuse, since they play significant roles in determining the attitudes and behaviors of individuals (530). In fact, with the increasing migration and urbanization rates, strong traditional family ties are gradually corroding and the traditional value systems are losing their importance in the modernized world. Most parents are nowadays spotted drinking alcohol and openly using drugs in the presence of their children. Squeezed urban centers also force this association.

Socio-economic status is another denotative cause of drug abuse. Globally, population rates are growing at alarming rates with several economical challenges experienced. Unemployment is one of the major influential factors for drug trafficking and illicit drug abuse. Due to the existing situation of unemployment across the globe, especially in developing countries, people are looking for alternative means of survival (United Nations Office on Drug and Crime 87-88).

As a result, individuals end up engaging in drug trafficking businesses thus reducing the gap between international barons and local drug vendors and consequently making the drugs easily accessible to teenagers. The high rates of unemployment amongst youths have consequently compelled them to engage in drug trafficking and illicit drug abuse.

However, unemployment is not the only socio-economic factor that pushes teenagers and youths into drug abuse and addiction. Others include inequalities in earnings and disposal funds given to youths in developed countries, which influence drug abuse in most youngsters. The funds given to young people are a catalyst for drug abuse and addiction if not used appropriately with due responsibility. On inequality in earnings, people earning meager salaries may be tempted to engage in drug trafficking as aforementioned.

Effects of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse is a dangerous activity that is associated with several devastating repercussions. People accustomed to drug abuse suffer numerous side effects ranging from psychological to social consequences. In terms of health, drug abuse leads to psychological disorders. Newcomb, Scheier, and Bentler posit, Mental health problems are often observed in among drug abusers (215). The psychological impacts of drug abuse can appear immediately or even later in the abusers life. Clinically examined there is a great relationship between drug abuse and psychopathology.

Clinical evidence indicates that intense drug use has psychopathology effects before, during, and even after getting treatment and undergoing rehabilitation (Newcomb, Scheier, and Bentler 215). Since the adolescent stage is a crucial phase in human development, drug abuse amongst youths and teenagers consequently results in mental disorders including posttraumatic disorders and emotional syndromes among others. These disorders affect personal development and growth and can result in adverse long-term negative effects on their adult life.

Drug abuse has on numerous occasions associated with the spread of the most threatening infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS. According to the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime, of the estimated 16 million people who inject drugs, about 3 million are living with HIV (16). People have found themselves contacting the deadly disease while under the influence of drugs. Apart from acquiring infectious diseases while a person is under influence, drug abuse involves the sharing of personal items.

According to a recent world report, Injecting drugs carries a high risk of infection with blood-borne viruses such as HIV, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B, and the sharing of contaminated needles and syringes is an important mode of transmission for those viruses (United Nations Office on Drug and Crime 15). On several occasions, doctors and physicians have identified drug abuse as one of the major causes of the spread of infectious diseases. Drug abuse generally leads to careless living thus forcing individuals to engage in other dangerous activities including unprotected sex, prostitution, crime and violence, which increase the risk of HIV infection.

Globally, drug abuse has influenced drug related deaths amongst youths, popularly known as premature deaths. Drug abuse has been the major cause of deaths that result from accidents that occur when youths are driving, or even having fun. Main accidental deaths relating to drug abuse include suicidal cases, road accidents resulting from driving under the influence of drugs, murder cases, unintentional overdose, unintended infections, and even trauma (United Nations Office on Drug and Crime16).

Youths involved in drug abuse tend to gain the confidence to engage in life-threatening activities because of the effect of hallucinations caused by drug consumption. According to the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime, the world drug report estimates that, globally, between 99,000 to 253,000 deaths resulting from accidents in the year 2010 resulted from drug abuse (16). It is very traumatizing to identify that of these deaths, over 77.9 cases of such deaths were people aged between 15-64 years, youths inclusive.

Conclusion

Drug abuse among youth is definitely a global predicament. Several factors have influenced teenagers to engage in drug abuse. Peer pressure is a contributing factor towards teenage drug abuse with those used to drug abuse influencing others into it. Family structure and family behavior influences drug abuse since most parents have adopted western culture leading to erosion of social norms, which are important in shaping youth behaviors. Globalization and rural-urban migration have been contributing to this predicament.

Socio-economic factors including unemployment have influenced drug abuse among youngsters, with several unemployed citizens finding possible ways of surviving. Unemployment leads to individuals engaging themselves in drug abuse and trafficking. Drugs abuse results in several negative consequences. Such repercussions may include psychopathology disorder, posttraumatic disorders, increased risks of HIV/AIDS infection and even an increase in death-related accidents. Drug abuse is still the most challenging thing and may remain troublesome if the relevant authorities will not put stringent measures to arrest the situation.

Works Cited

Bahr, Stephen, John Hoffmann, and Xiaoyan Yang. Parental and Peer Influences On the Risk of Adolescent Drug Use. Journal of Primary Prevention 26.6 (2005): 529-550. Print.

Newcomb, Michael, Lawrence Scheier, and Pauline Bentler. Effects of Adolescent Drug Use on Adult Mental Health: A prospective Health Study of a community Sample. Journal of American Psychological Association 1.4 (1993): 215 241. Print.

United Nations Office on Drug and Crime. World Drug Report United Nations. New York: United Nations Publications, 2012. Print.

Introduction

The adolescence stage is known to be a period where behaviors and conditions develop that affect the health of the individuals at the time and their adulthoods. Juvenile drug use remains a huge societal problem that needs to be addressed promptly and viable interventions developed. Several therapies and programs have been devised to ease the challenge but the current drug use statistics indicate the problem is far from over. This essay describes the problem of juvenile drug use and applies the relevant delinquency theory. Additionally, the interventions or programs to fix the issue will be highlighted.

Juvenile Drug Use

The challenge of juvenile drug use is critical as it is usually linked with delinquency. Researchers have found that adolescent offenders display high rates of substance abuse. The reverse observation has also been made  that is there is a direct link between drug abuse and repeated serious crimes (Dakof et al., 2016). The seriousness of juvenile drug use can only be appreciated when examined alongside delinquency. According to Belenko et al. (2017), over 70% of all arrested adolescents had previously abused drugs whereas 78% of them recently consumed alcohol or other drugs. Addressing the vice of drug abuse among the youth, therefore, goes a long way in fighting related crimes in society.

Besides the relationship between juvenile drug use and crime, other problems such as substance abuse disorders (SUDs). About 60% of the juvenile justice involving the youth is related to SUDs (Sanders et al., 2018). The juvenile justice system is obliged to monitor risk behaviors associated with SUDs, including sexual abuse. There is also a need for the system to understand the causative factors for juvenile drug use. Some studies have shown connections between factors such as low socioeconomic status, adolescent friendships (peer pressure), family violence, and coping with failures among others (Dervishi & Ibrahimi, 2018). Dealing with such environmental variables could go a long way in reducing the rate of substance abuse among the youth.

Delinquency Theories

Several theories have been put forward to explain juvenile drug use. According to Beaver et al. (2015), two of the theories explaining the issue are social learning theory and self-control theory. The social learning theory holds that all behaviors, including those regarded as anti-social (for example, drug use) are learned deeds. The learning can take place in the form of reinforcement where those actions are strengthened through rewards or avoidance of discomfort being most likely to persist. Juveniles could, therefore, be perceived to have learned drug abuse behaviors by watching others. Using tobacco and alcohol could be a means to reduce discomforts or to gain other perceived benefits.

Self-control theory, on the other hand, posits that analogous actions such as substance abuse are caused by criminal opportunity and variations in the level of self-esteem. Low levels of self-control, according to Beaver et al. (2015) are linked with a greater likelihood of anti-social conduct. Drug abuse in such situations could be a result of succumbing to some external drives. Criminal opportunity remains a constant and the most salient factor. The variabilities in delinquency are caused, therefore, by the varying levels of self-control.

Interventions

The problem of juvenile drug abuse can be reduced through proper interventions. The current literature has explored in detail interventions such as family therapies or the broader community-based interventions. School-based programs and policies have also been explored and found to positively contribute to a reduction in juvenile drug use. With the advances in technology, digital platforms are also increasingly becoming critical for community-based interventions that involve community leaders and other stakeholders campaigning against drug abuse (Das et al., 2016). Family therapies seek to identify the roots of the problems and to find lasting solutions. As expressed earlier on, many of the risk factors are external environmental issues within which the individuals live. Addressing such concerns and helping adolescents recover from addiction works to reduce the rates of drug use among the youth. Family therapy programs have shown success over the years and they continue to be the major interventions.

Other programs showing promise in the fight against juvenile drug abuse are the juvenile drug courts (JDCs). According to Dakof et al. (2016), the JDCs were developed to help those youths in the juvenile justice system overcome drug problems. The JDCs are designed to offer quality treatment to the patients and, similar to the family therapies, involve the family members to improve the treatment outcomes. One of the key objectives in the JDCs, it should be emphasized, is to reduce the rates of recidivism among drug-related offenders.

Conclusion

The problem of juvenile drug use has been described in this essay where a link to juvenile offending is made to illustrate the seriousness of the problem. Two delinquency theories, social learning and self-control theory, have been used to explain the problem. Lastly, a few interventions have been examined: family therapies and JDCs. The two interventions have shown significant levels of success over the years and they remain the most popular means of fixing the social challenge.

References

Beaver, K., Al-Ghamdi, M., Kobeisy, A., Alqurashi, F., Schwartz, J., Connolly, E., & Gajos, J. (2015). The effects of low self-control and delinquent peers on alcohol, tobacco, and drug use in a sample of Saudi Arabian youth. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 60(13), 1-19.

Belenko, S., Knight, D., Wasserman, G., Dennis, M., Wiley, T., Taxman, F., Oser, C., Dembo, R., Robdertson, A., & Sales, J. (2017). The juvenile justice behavioral health services cascade: A new framework for measuring unmet substance use treatment services needs among adolescent offenders. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 74, 80-91.

Dakof, G., Henderson, C., Rowe, C., Boustani, M., Greenbaum, P., Wang, W., Hawes, S., Linares, C., & Liddle, H. (2016). A randomized clinical trial of family therapy in juvenile drug court. Journal of Family Psychology, 29(2), 232-241.

Das, J., Salama, R., Arshad, A., Finkelstein, Y., & Bhutta, Z. (2016). Interventions for adolescent substance abuse: An overview of systematic reviews. The Journal of Adolescent Health, 59(4), S61-S75.

Dervishi, E., & Ibrahimi, S. (2018). Risk Factors Related to Juvenile Drug Use. Open Journal for Psychological Research, 2(2), 53-60.

Sanders, J., Hershberger, A., Kolp, H., Um, M., Aalsma, M., & Cyders, M. (2018). PTSD symptoms mediate the relationship between sexual abuse and substance use risk in juvenile justice-involved youth. Child Maltreatment, 23(3), 226-233.

Introduction

Child abuse and neglect are broadly accepted as serious socioeconomic issues involving far-reaching repercussions for the children and parents involved and the community as a whole. A general understanding of the problem identification and its extent is a vital step in developing successful countermeasures. Obtaining precision and concrete statistics in the sphere of child abuse and neglect, on the other hand, has been a continuing struggle. The main challenge when it comes to the given issue is the inability to determine the accurate prevalence and incidence rates. Moreover, significant barriers impede studying childrens experiences, particularly those younger ages who have undergone abuse or neglect.

While many developed countries have a good foundation for policies and programs considering child protection, developing countries struggle with the proper protection of minorities. For example, while Ukraines authorities are concerned about child abuse, the violence rate in this country, like in many eastern European countries, is high. Consequently, neglect and abuse lead to severe ramifications in adulthood for the child. Among the implications discussed later are the increasing suicide and violence rates. As a result, the given issue is vital to each nation. This research focuses on child abuse and neglect in Ukraine. Concentrating on statistics and comparing the situation in this developing country to other regions will make it clear how widespread the given issue is.

Definition of Child Abuse and Neglect

Childhood, particularly the first six years of a child, provides the basis for a human beings life. Mistreatment that takes the form of mental, physical, and sexual abuse has long-term consequences. Nowadays, more young children and adolescents are victims of abuse and neglect. According to the Red Cross, child abuse can be defined as physical, or psychological mistreatment or sexual harassment or neglect that leads to either physical or mental harm (Definitions of child abuse and neglect, n.d.). Thus, any violation of power or trust toward children or adolescents can be considered child abuse or neglect.

As has been mentioned, there are several types of abuse. Mental abuse, exposure to domestic conflicts, physical and sexual abuse, and neglect are all examples of child abuse. Mental abuse is a persistent attack on a childs or adolescents self-esteem by someone in a position of power (Definitions of child abuse and neglect, n.d.). This type of abuse includes demeaning, alienating, intimidating, manipulating, and avoiding.

When children or adolescents see violent actions committed by one family member toward another person in the household, the children are considered to be exposed to domestic violence. Physical abuse occurs when someone in a position of power intentionally mistreats or attempts to harm a child or adolescent (Definitions of child abuse and neglect, n.d.). Neglect is commonly characterized as a parents or another individuals inability to give required nourishment, clothes, housing, medical treatment, or attention to the extent that the childs health, security, and well-being are jeopardized.

Child Abuse as a Public Health Issue

Child abuse and neglect are considered public health issues due to the consequences of mistreatment. Child abuse damages victims mental and physical health when they are minors and has long-term effects far into their adulthood (Lansford et al., 2021). In addition to the particular anguish experienced by every victim of abuse, such repercussions impose an enormous public health burden.

Furthermore, according to the study conducted by Lansford et al. (2021), One in every four children has a history of abuse, and one in every seven has been abused in the recent year. The study indicated that physical violence has occurred in around 18% of abused children (Lansford et al., 2021). What is especially noteworthy is that physical abuse is frequently unreported, especially if it does not result in evident damages that are serious enough to demand medical care. Lansford et al. (2021) discovered that individuals who have experienced physical violence at an early age are more likely to require special education, to repeat a year at school, and to have lower 4-year graduation rates. Furthermore, the researchers discovered a substantial decrease in overall well-being and increased psychological problems in the same group.

Burlaka et al. (2017) discovered that violent parenting practices could lead to the initial stage of hostile and aggressive attitudes in children, which can persist into adulthood and cause mental disorders and substance addiction. According to the researchers, only consistent parenting, implying articulated conduct standards accompanied by reasonable and logical repercussions when children make errors or disobey rules, develops childrens intelligent decision-making and accountability (Burlaka et al., 2017).

Improper parenting is linked to child maltreatment with the absence of consistency. Such parents do not offer sufficient attention, do not promote education, offer minimal or no emotional support, and do not establish best practices (Burlaka et al., 2017). An absence of parental supervision raises the chance of behavioral issues, rule violations, and hostility (Burlaka et al., 2017). Furthermore, using corporal discipline as a logical outcome of disobedience can end in physical child abuse, defined as nonaccidental harm inflicted on a child.

The magnitude of maltreatment in society has been substantiated by studies of cross-sectional studies from Europe and throughout the world. The studies reveal a 9.6 percent incidence rate for sexual violence (13.4 percent in females and 5.7 percent in males), and a 22.9 percent incidence rate for physical violence (Sethi et al., 2013). Moreover, there is a 29.1 percent incidence rate for psychological abuse, with no discernible gender differences (Sethi et al., 2013). While there is a shortage of studies on neglect, assessments of international research suggest that the prevalence is likewise high (Sethi et al., 2013). Meanwhile, 16.3 percent of children are victims of physical neglect, and 18.4 percent of victims of emotional neglect (Sethi et al., 2013).

When these numbers are applied to the European child population, it is estimated that approximately 20 million children experience sexual abuse, almost 45 million experience physical abuse, and 55 million children suffer from psychological abuse (Sethi et al., 2013). As indicated by the WHO, child abuse is more prevalent in Eastern European nations, as well as in those with high levels of inequality and inadequate social measures to protect families from economic distress (Sethi et al., 2013). According to the WHO, these children could be at a higher risk of abuse (Sethi et al., 2013). As a result, crime levels in Eastern Europe are almost three times higher.

Prevalence of Child Abuse in Ukraine

Parenting, the process of supporting and nurturing children, has been extensively researched in nations with advanced economies. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, a developing country, little research has been conducted to explore this regions parenting and related issues. According to the latest studies, the risk of antisocial behavior in Ukrainian children is significantly higher if their caregivers do not employ proper parental involvement (Burlaka et al., 2017). This involved either failure to provide enough supervision or to lean toward physical punishment (Burlaka et al., 2017).

Physical violence has also been connected to a rise in externalizing psychopathology in Ukraine and worldwide. According to Burlaka et al. (2017), the United Nations Committee on the Childs Rights has encouraged member countries to eliminate any degree of authorized violence toward children. Even though Ukraine has adopted the Convention on the Childs Rights, its execution has been abysmal. According to recent research, 75% of Ukrainian parents spanked, slapped, or struck their children with items.

Aside from a scarcity of studies, Ukraine has little statistical evidence on child abuse and other adverse events that may cause harm to minorities. Child abuse is a sort of disguised assault, and official data frequently fail to address the issue adequately. In 2016, the federal police of Ukraine recorded 127,478 reports of domestic violence, 982 cases, or 0.8 percent, pertained to abuse of minors; these statistics are highly likely to be underrepresented (Zakhozha et al., 2018). The reason for the statistics being underrepresented is that not every victim reports such incidents to the authorities.

Additionally, the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology researched child abuse and neglect in this region in 2015. The Council requested the survey conducted by the university of Europe, a project whom could contribute to reinforcing and defending the rights of minorities in Ukraine (Zakhozha et al., 2018). The study found that 65 percent of minorities at the age of 1217 had been subjected to a specific type of abuse. In this respect, 45 percent had been subjected to psychological violence, 27 percent had been subjected to physical violence, 25 percent had been subjected to economic neglect, and 21 percent had been subjected to sexual abuse (Zakhozha et al., 2018). According to the same study, the overwhelming percentage of abuse victims did not seek help from anybody (Zakhozha et al., 2018). When it comes to those who did seek help, the victims turned to their caregivers or peers and rarely to teachers, relatives, authorities, or social services.

However, it is essential to compare the statistics of Ukraine to other countries in eastern Europe. For example, In 2017, in Romania, 17,000 abuses were reported, with over 9,000 of them confirmed (Radu, 2020). The city of Galai has the most considerable number of recorded child maltreatment, with almost 3,500 cases, while the town of Olt has the fewest cases, nearly 40 (Radu, 2020). Thus, Ukraine has fewer incidents compared to other eastern European countries of almost similar size.

Risk Factors of Child Abuse

According to the WHO, there are various risk factors that involve child abuse and neglect. Child abuse might be influenced by biological, social, cultural, economic and environmental factors (Sethi et al., 2013, p.4). In this respect, the best way to discuss the risk factors of child abuse is vital to look at it from the point of established scientific models. While there are many theories and models concerning child abuse and its prevalence in many families, the ecological model is the primary model that explains this phenomenon.

According to the ecological model, the main risk factors of child abuse can be divided into four primary levels. The given levels represent the scope of the factor, involving individual, relationship, community, and societal levels. According to the WHO, when illuminating the individual level, the triggers of child abuse might involve the gender of a child, their age, and their special characteristics (Krug et al., 2002). The most distinctive factors of the relationship level involve the characteristics of the caregivers, their personalities, and their prior history of abuse (Krug et al., 2002). As for the community level, the key factors are poverty, lack of unity, and the prevalence of stress (Krug et al., 2002). Lastly, societal risk factors include social inequality, established norms, and the strength and support of the social welfare system.

When delving deeper into the ecological model levels, it is noteworthy that younger, unmarried, and low-income parents with poor schooling are more prone to abuse their children. Moreover, parental mental illnesses, such as alcohol and drug misuse, parental stress, and lack of proper are highly linked to child abuse and neglect (Sethi et al., 2013). Among other factors, it is noteworthy that abuse is more widespread in disadvantaged populations households (Sethi et al., 2013). According to the WHO, in 2000, Ukraine was on the list of European regions with the lowest income levels (Krug et al., 2002). Thus, the risk factors of child abuse are connected with multiple levels.

Existing Child Abuse Prevention Programs

Abuse and neglect of children are avoidable and can be prevented with specific initiatives that tackle all risk factors of the ecological model. Such initiatives should target risk and protective variables at all four interconnected levels, including individual, relationship, community, and society (Violence against children, 2020). For example, u Under the guidance of the World Health Organization, a coalition of ten international organizations created and adopted INSPIRE approach, which constitutes seven strategies that help tackle child abuse (Violence against children, 2020). The program is intended to assist governments and communities in meeting targets on eliminating violence against children. In this respect, each letter of the term INSPIRE represents one of the methods. The majority of them have been found to have preventative impacts across multiple forms of violence, along with advantages in categories such as psychological well-being, schooling, and crime control.

The seven tactics include enacting and implementing regulations, such as prohibiting corporal punishment and limiting access to alcohol and weapons. Another strategy involves changes in standards and beliefs, such as changing attitudes that tolerate sexual assault of females or violent behavior between males (Violence against children, 2020). Moreover, a safe environment strategy is vital since it encourages recognizing neighborhoods with violence and addressing the underlying issues through police and other initiatives (Violence against children, 2020). Another strategy implies support from caregivers, such as offering parent counseling to inexperienced parents (Violence against children, 2020). Additionally, economic development, including financial literacy and gender equality, should initiate changes as well. The last strategies involve service provision and education that encourage proper schooling for children and psychosocial support.

Another initiative toward eliminating neglect and child abuse was undertaken in 2019 at the End Violence Against Children conference in Kyiv. As a stage of implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, officials worldwide pledged to stop abuse against children by 2030 (Underreported violence against children in Ukraine requires joint action, n.d.). The summit brought together all of Ukraines essential stakeholders to work toward a common objective. According to the authorities, it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to rally all efforts behind a national campaign and defend Ukraines most valuable resource, its children.

The End Violence Against Children meeting focused on the Ukrainian governments determination to confront the issue in several aspects. Significant deficiencies in the capability to detect and eradicate incidents of violence may only be addressed successfully by enhancing inter-sectoral collaboration (Underreported violence against children in Ukraine requires joint action, n.d.). Early detection, mitigation, and reaction to abuse and neglect against children were set to be the goal of collaborative initiatives.

Thus, Ukraine is dedicated to putting an end to abuse and neglect against children. In order to shed light on such a tremendous issue and safeguard children, comprehensive nationwide data collecting and research activities are required. In this respect, the authorities have to make more efforts to gather and use statistics on child maltreatment to create national policies and initiatives. Enhanced cooperation and interaction at all stages will be required for such endeavors.

Obstacles to Violence Prevention

Because of the devastation caused by child abuse and the scarcity of funds available to address its repercussions, the need for preventative interventions is obvious. The programs that were mentioned are primarily aimed at high-risk households, and they target potential risks at varying degrees of intervention, including children, parents, or the community. Nonetheless, there are obstacles to reducing child abuse, such as inaccurate identification of high-risk households, a lack of engagement of low-income parents, and impediments to successful program communication and execution. In this case, if the given criteria will not be met, the programs will meet serious threats.

Conclusion

Hence, child abuse and neglect can be defined as a series of physical or mental harm inflicted on underage individuals. While a series of research has been conducted in developed countries regarding child abuse, the statistics from the developing regions remain mostly obscure. Nevertheless, a few studies indicate that in Ukraine, 127,478 reports of domestic violence were recorded, 982 cases of which pertained to child abuse. In comparison, in Romania, an eastern European country, 17,000 abuse cases were reported. Consequently, numerous measures must be taken to mitigate such high rates. For example, the WHO offers a seven-step program, INSPIRE, that involves solutions at the social, economic, and interpersonal levels. Meanwhile, it is noteworthy to understand that there are certain obstacles, such as the wrong identification of high-risk families or the refusal of parents to participate in such programs.

References

Burlaka, V., Graham-Bermann, S. A., & Delva, J. (2017). Family factors and parenting in Ukraine. Child Abuse & Neglect, 72, 154-162.

Definitions of child abuse and neglect. (n.d.). Red Cross Canada. Web.

Krug, E. G., Dahlberg, L. L., Mercy, J. A., Zwi, A. B., Lozano, R., & World Health Organization. (2002). World report on violence and health. World Health Organization.

Lansford, J. E., Godwin, J., McMahon, R. J., Crowley, M., Pettit, G. S., Bates, J. E., Coie, J. D., & Dodge, K. A. (2021). Early physical abuse and adult outcomes. American Academy of Pediatrics. Web.

Radu, A. (2020). Child abuse in Romania. Parlamentar România. Web.

Sethi, D., Bellis, M., Hughes, K., Gilbert, R., Mitis, F., & Galea, G. (2013). European report on preventing child maltreatment. World Health Organization.

Underreported violence against children in Ukraine requires joint action. (n.d.). UNICEF. Web.

Violence against children. (2020). World Health Organization. Web.

Zakhozha, V., Sakhno, Y., Sethi, D., & Korol, N. (2018). Adverse childhood experiences and health-harming behaviours among students in Ukraine: Report on survey results. World Health Organization.

Introduction

The use of narcotic drugs brings irreparable harm to health and diminishes the quality of life. Opioid abuse is a predominant problem that continues to be a concern, especially among adolescents. It should not be forgotten that it is the responsibility of human service providers to improve peoples lives and help them overcome their addictions. To accomplish this, strategic programs must be developed to provide help quickly and safely.

Reasons

Demographics indicate that the prevalence of the substance abuse problem is so high that adult and pediatric physicians are concerned about it. The entire population is affected because sick women cannot bear healthy children, and sick men cannot be responsible for raising children. Also, the population is no longer as able-bodied as it used to be, and other people are less likely to interact organically. As a result, the populations health is falling as the high cost of medication, dehumanization of people who use it, and difficult access to psychotherapy prevent the population from seeking help.

Program Overview

The program addresses the problem of drug abuse with a focus specifically on ending access to medication. It first notifies the public of the harms that drugs cause and how it affects their health. Because the program provides services within a hospital inpatient setting, the issue of monitoring is easier. The program will engage the population of the various counties, thereby pushing them toward a healthy lifestyle. In addition, the program will be an example of how you can change your life through proper information training. The inpatient support program is an opportunity to monitor and physically limit drug abuse. Since opioids are more prevalent than other drugs, this is where the clinic focuses its work. Consequently, the programs pinpoint effects will gradually reach more and more of the population, resulting in an opportunity to address the globular problem of drug addiction.

Matching Needs

First and foremost, the current lack of drug control agencies causes society to be stressed by the presence of the problem. The program closes this gap by engaging with the state government and providing two-way communication between the community, the sick population, and the government. Second, with the gradual expansion of the staff, there will be an increase in the number of people with different profiles involved. Having staff with different specializations will solve the lack of drug literacy in the population and highlight the problem in the most comprehensive way. Third, the different types of therapies will allow us to work with a larger number of patients. Each case is unique, and the program will create the conditions for a diverse yet comprehensive approach.

Value of the Program

This program is innovative in that it looks at the problem of drug abuse from a new perspective. It highlights aspects that other prevention programs pay less attention to. Moreover, the program details the problem and points out specific gaps in knowledge, information, and assistance. Spot action builds community, reaches more people, and gradually eliminates addiction. The value of this program is expressed in its effectiveness based on specific areas where there is a significant prevention gap.

Conclusion

This program is appropriate to the current demographic situation since it includes all population segments regardless of gender and age. It works on education, physical restraint of use, control of the medication cost, and the State Surveillance Administration. The program is an opportunity to address the overall health decline as it will rehabilitate as much of the population as possible. Funding for this program will allow it to be implemented as soon as possible and possibly start helping the community as soon as tomorrow. Individuals interested in raising the life quality of the population should get involved and help develop this area. Providing resources to people with substance abuse problems is the programs goal, and its effectiveness depends on the participation of stakeholders in its implementation.