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Contrary to many people’s understanding, the majority of child abuse is committed by individuals known to the children, and most often by individuals in their own homes. The myth about the stranger jumping out of the bushes or luring children into his car with promises of candy or fame, while occasionally true, are much more rare than the stories about abuse perpetrated by individuals within the child’s circle.
Perpetrators of sexual abuse, especially, go to great lengths to develop a trusting relationship with the child as well as with the child’s family. This “grooming” behavior enables the perpetrator to have easy, unblocked access to the child. In addition the perpetrator often bribes, threatens or coerces the child to remain silent about their secret. Finally, if the perpetrator is successful in winning the child’s participation, there is greater assurance of the child’s silence. Those children especially tend to be filled with shame and guilt as they feel responsible for the abuse.
Physical abuse is nearly always committed by someone in the child’s home or someone who is responsible for the care of the child. While not all forms of child abuse fit the following pattern, in many cases, something that starts as discipline gets out of hand because of caregiver anger, rage or frustration and turns into a child injury. In other cases, children are the pawns of sadistic adults who use the child for their tormenting pleasure by burning, strangling, cutting, isolation, starvation, etc. In some cases, physical abuse is used to cover up evidence of child sexual abuse.
Wynona’s House is committed to educating the community about the realities of child abuse. Many child abuse prevention programs put the responsibility on children to protect themselves by teaching them self-defense, not to trust strangers, and good touch/bad touch. While these are part of the solution, the main responsibility for keeping children safe rests with adults in our society. Because children are vulnerable and unable to fully protect themselves, all 50 states have laws mandating adults to report suspected cases of child abuse. In New Jersey, all adults carry that responsibility. In order to make a report of suspected child abuse, you don’t need to have all the facts and proof, just a reasonable suspicion that a child is being harmed. Call the State Central Registry in Trenton at 1-877-NJ ABUSE or 1-877-652-2873. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 and speak to someone in your local police department.
A large part of the work of Wynona’s House involves educating professionals and private citizens about abuse. Wynona’s House staff and partners have provided training to schools, daycare centers, businesses, churches, service organizations, attorneys, doctors, police officers, social workers, and many others. We are able to provide training on a variety of child-abuse related topics:
Recognizing child abuse – signs and indications
Child abuse reporting
Domestic violence and kids
Legal issues and child abuse
Medical issues and child abuse
Mental health issues and child abuse
Investigating child abuse
Click on this link (TRAINING) and complete the form to request a speaker to come speak with your organization or group.
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