Many people are responsible for reporting child abuse, even when they have no proof that a child’s injury resulted from abuse. Failure to report any suspicion of abuse and/or neglect can result in a misdemeanor. Even if someone falsely accuses a parent or guardian of committing child abuse, the person who has made the report is protected from civil and criminal liability. According to the article by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, "almost 800,000 children were victims of maltreatment–various forms of abuse and neglect" in 2007. Social workers, teachers, and doctors are not the only individuals who are required to report child abuse: Everyone is, including the person who’s reading this. In the state of New Mexico, there are a variety of places to report child abuse. Reports can be made at central intake facilities, child protective service offices, local law enforcement headquarters, etc.
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Physical abuse is defined as “any non-accidental injury to a child under the age of 18 by a parent or caregiver.” (Page 192) Emotional abuse is a “pattern of verbal assault or coercive behaviors such as belittling, humiliating, and ridiculing, which affect a child’s development intellectually and emotionally.” (Page 195) Sexual abuse that occurs in children consists of using “a child or adolescent for the sexual gratification of another person.” (Page 199) After reading about child abuse and neglect, I was surprised to learn that there are indicators in parents and caregivers who are perpetrators. For example, physically abusive parents might view the child as “bad” or “difficult,” tell their child’s teacher of caregiver to use harsh punishment when the child misbehaves, and/or demand their child to do unrealistic things that they aren’t capable of doing at their age
Physical abuse is defined as “any non-accidental injury to a child under the age of 18 by a parent or caregiver.” (Page 192) Emotional abuse is a “pattern of verbal assault or coercive behaviors such as belittling, humiliating, and ridiculing, which affect a child’s development intellectually and emotionally.” (Page 195) Sexual abuse that occurs in children consists of using “a child or adolescent for the sexual gratification of another person.” (Page 199) After reading about child abuse and neglect, I was surprised to learn that there are indicators in parents and caregivers who are perpetrators. For example, physically abusive parents might view the child as “bad” or “difficult,” tell their child’s teacher of caregiver to use harsh punishment when the child misbehaves, and/or demand their child to do unrealistic things that they aren’t capable of doing at their age