Courtney SeymourMs. English English II CP1 May 2013Children and abuse: the realityMore than 903,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect in 2001. Maltreatment is the physical, sexual and emotional abuse inflicted on a child. The following scenario shows the seriousness of child abuse. An 18-year-old girl was charged with child abuse after she allowed her friend to repeatedly hit her baby while she was "play wrestling." The 18-month-old baby suffered five rib fractures; lacerations to the liver, spleen and pancreas; and bruising to the back, chest and abdomen. Child abuse is becoming a major problem all over the world (La Poste et le Courrier). With the increase in parental drug use, the prevalence of mental problems and the current economic crisis, child abuse is becoming a major problem with serious consequences. The government must therefore legislate stricter laws and more effective prevention programs. There are three different types. of child abuse. There is emotional, physical and sexual abuse of children. Emotional child abuse is defined as a parent or guardian interfering with the child's emotional, psychological, and social development. Examples of psychological child abuse include ignoring or rejecting a child as punishment, calling the child names that endanger their self-esteem, isolating the child which prevents them from having a social life with his friends and family, to intimidate him or even to terrorize him. them. About 9% were victims of emotional or psychological abuse. Nationally, an estimated 754,000 people were victims of child abuse and neglect in 2010 (“Prevent Child Abuse New York”). Emotional child abuse can hurt the child in the future. Physical child abuse is physical harm or injury inflicted on the child. Phy...... middle of paper ...... the rate of child abuse is increasing every day and our programs are not effective. Preventing child abuse can help avoid disabling conditions in children; physical abuse can lead to brain damage, mental retardation, cerebral palsy and learning disabilities (“Better funding for child protection…”). Every day, a child is a victim of abuse, like this real-life situation in Jersey City. In this situation, an educator, Ann Bactawar, was accused of abusing two toddlers. Prosecutors say Bactawar allegedly knocked over a boy who was standing on a box at Sunnyside Academy daycare in Jersey City. And Bactawar has a set bond of $100,000 and faces up to 10 years in prison (“Day care worker charged with…”). Day care center owners should benefit from better control of their employees and closer supervision. Our children should have a better childhood for their future.