Child File R Search Ygold

The Problem is Real

Child abuse within families has always existed. Dating back to biblical times, child abuse has been present in family systems. Even today, child abuse still occurs despite the negative view that society has of it.

Many people are not aware of the child abuse that occurs widely in our society. But when they are aware of the abuse, they are morally obligated to report it. Looking at the nature of child abuse, its negative impact on the victim, the response to child abuse, community resources available to victims, some theories as to why child abuse occurs, and the change in society's approach to child abuse over the past 30 years will help to demonstrate what it is and the steps that have been taken over the years to prevent, deter, and prosecute those involved with abusing children.

When discussing the nature of child abuse, we come to realize that it has been a prevalent problem in the family structure system for a long time. In the US alone, “an estimated 906,000 children are victims of abuse and neglect every year, making child abuse as common as it is shocking” (Saisan, J & Segal, J, 2008).