What is Child Abuse?

Child Abuse is mistreatment or neglect of a child by parents or guardian that results in harm to the child. Such abuse can be verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual. Each year in Oregon, approximately 9,000 children are abused by their caretakers.

Why does child abuse occur?

Caretakers who abuse children are often affected by one or more of these problems:

* desire for power and control

* alcohol or drug dependency

* lack of care-taking skills

* unfulfilled emotional needs

* was abused or neglected as a child

* unrealistic expectations of children

* social isolation

* frequent crisis

* social beliefs

Child abuse can leave severe emotional scars, conditioning the child to accept and perpetuate violence as a way of coping with problems.

Children should be taught the difference between positive touching, hurtful touching, and secret touching and that they have the right to refuse inappropriate touch. They need to know that if they are abused, it is important to tell someone they trust and ask for help. It is also important for adults to believe children and tell the children that it is not their fault. The ARE people who care and will help them.

What can you do?

If you suspect that a child is being abused, report the circumstances to Services to Children and Families (503-397-3292), the police (911) or Women's Resource Center (503-397-7110). You can report without giving your name.