Child Abuse: A Broad Picture of Concern
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Dennis Robinson, Family Advocacy Program

Child abuse is an encompassing term which covers direct or physical abuse (includes sexual abuse) and indirect abuse (includes child neglect and emotional abuse). The definition of child abuse is necessarily broad in order to protect the most innocent, helpless, trusting and vulnerable of victims – our children, according to Mr. Dennis Robinson, a Victim Advocate in the Family Advocacy Program (FAP), a part of the Marine and Family Services Division (M&FSD) of the Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS).

Direct or physical/sexual abuse of children is generally well known and understood. However, “the indirect nature of child abuse can more difficult to identify”, said Ms. Melinda Vargas, a Victim Advocate at M&FSD. Ms. Vargas pointed out: “Indirect child abuse can range from verbal abuse to unstable parental behavior even if not intentionally given”. Ms. Vargas provided an example of a severely depressed parent who fails to take their medication resulting in emotional as well as behavioral abuse toward their child. It could be argued that neglectful abuse would be part of her example.

“Child abuse results in 4 children being killed each day in the U.S.”, said Mr. Robinson. “This abuse in not limited to any socioeconomic, race, or educational group; although girls are more often victims, boys are not exempt from being victims”, Robinson stated. “Because 80%-85% of those who abuse children are either family members or family friends, it is only natural that those closest to the victim are the first to be suspected," said Robinson.

Robinson outlined direct physical/sexual abuse as –“doing harm to the child’s body; whereas, neglect is a failure to shelter, feed, clothe, supervise, protect, or provide access to health and educational services to the child”. It is important to realize that poverty status is rarely related to child neglect abuse, Robinson said. On the other hand, Robinson pointed out, “Sexual abuse includes molestation, rape, incest, voyeurism, exhibitionism, pornography or forced prostitution.”

Indirect or non-physical and emotional abuse, "includes profanity, belittling, criticism, rejection and threats directed toward the child," Ms. Vargas explained.

Both Vargas and Robinson indicated, “The sad reality is that only one in three adults who are aware of child abuse even take the time to report the abuse.” This under reporting of child abuse is often caused by misconceptions about reporting suspected abuse. Robinson and Vargas pointed out the following common myths about reporting child abuse:

First, reporting suspected child abuse is not interfering in someone else’s family. Rather, you will be stopping a cycle of abuse which destroys families and you will be saving a child from harm. “Plus, you are encouraging the abuser to change for the better," Ms. Vargas said.

Second, the misconception you’ll be breaking up a family by reporting abuse is rarely supported by Child Protective Services (CPS) records. Except in the life threatening cases, CPS makes every effort to keep the family together. This would include referral to Mrs. Kimberly Conrad, the Prevention Education Specialist and Child Abuse Parenting Educator.

Third, the most common discourager of reporting child abuse was fear of retribution for reporting the abuse. The fact is CPS doesn’t require you give your name. You can report the abuse anonymously.

Fourth and finally, the belief that reporting abuse won’t make any difference is not substantiated by the research. “In fact, once a report is made many things are set in motion even if they are not obvious”, said Robinson. “Remember, it is always better to error on the side of safety than to later be sorry," Robinson said.

Ms. Vargas and Mr. Robinson suggested you call (760)-577-6533 when in doubt and talk to someone at M&FSD (Bldg. 129), as well as, receiving additional referrals for anger management, parenting support, and clinical counseling services.

Honor your gut feeling and stop the abuse of children – report it today!

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