Articles

What to Do if You Suspect a Child Is Being Harmed

Apr 05, 2023

This article will show some signs indicating a child is possibly experiencing abuse. It will also list the different organizations that can help abused children.

Statistics report that 439 children were sexual abuse victims in Cyprus in 2022. The Nicosia-based international humanitarian organization “Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center (HFC) released this data on reported child sexual abuses in the country.

An anti-child abuse advocacy group called Children’s House, which has helped abuse victims since 2017, shared that 16 years is the most common age of children who suffered abuse under their auspices. Meanwhile, the average age of abused children under their care is 12 years old.

However, how many more children are being harmed without being reported by their carers or local authorities?

What signs a child is a victim of abuse or neglect? How can parents, educators, and carers safely confront an issue concerning children experiencing harm and abuse from other people?

Unraveling the Veiled Life of Abused Children

A child is brought into a world full of joy and hopes for a bright future, yet they sometimes fall victim to abuse.

Learning how many children live under constant fear and pain is heartbreaking. What’s more shocking is that this is a global problem, and the cycle of abuse seems never to end.

An example is the severe child abuse problem in Cyprus, a Mediterranean country. According to a survey on the island, it has been estimated that a child is sexually abused in Cyprus every 27 hours.

Exposure to social media and increased online activity could contribute to the alarming rise in the number of cases of abuse and neglect.

Unfortunately, familiar people, including parents and relatives, are one source of harm and abuse in children. Many cases were reported as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic when the child victims had no other place to go but stay in the same house they shared with their abusers.

To combat this growing assault on the nation’s children and youth, you should have a keen and observant eye. Children often find it hard to verbalize their emotions.

What to Do to Stop a Child From Being Harmed

Help starts when people act. It’s crucial that people who see the effects of abuse act quickly.

You can stop the abuse in its tracks and promptly take care of the child's needs through the help of organizations focused on child welfare. You can do this by remembering this mnemonic, SPICE.

S is for strengthening the preventive measures to lower child abuse cases.
P is for providing quick response to care for victims of abuse.
I is for internet security education to stop the harm perpetrated by an online child abuser
C is for coordination with government agencies to combat child abuse
E is for evaluating situations and creating effective programs to combat child abuse

More importantly, coordinate with your local child welfare services. You can contact some child welfare organizations when you need help saving a child from abuse and harm.

Children are bundles of joy and deserve people with tons of love to give. You can be part of the change to end this abuse and make a stand.

Tell-tale Signs of Child Abuse

A watchful eye needs to know the tell-tale signs of child abuse. You must notice these signs to confront the issue quickly and save an innocent child from abuse.

Signs of physical abuse: When a child is physically harmed or assaulted, you may notice bruises and cuts.
Other signs of possible physical abuse include:
- Unexplained injuries or fractures
- Injuries that don’t match a child’s activity
- Skin, bone, and facial injuries

Signs of sexual abuse: It’s devastating to know that sexual abuse has become a public problem in Cyprus, as one child is abused every 27 hours.
Signs of sexual abuse are sometimes subtle, as not all sexual abuse is done physically. Children are occasionally exposed to sexual activities, pornography, and non-contact sexual activities, resulting in emotional and behavioral damage.
Some signs of this kind of abuse include:
- Unnatural sexual behavior for a child
- Inappropriate level of sexual knowledge for a child
- Physical injuries on the genitals
- Pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases

Neglect: Another kind of abuse is disregarding a child's basic needs. Total neglect of the needs of a child can also result in emotional abuse that results in a child that’s rebellious, depressed, and anxious.

The Link Between Child Abuse and Alcohol or Substance Abuse

Studies have determined a link between excessive alcohol abuse of a guardian or parent and the risk of their children being abuse victims. This connection is concerning because Cyprus has a culture of alcohol drinking, and 3.1% of adults in the country are alcohol-dependent.

Studies on the effects of alcoholism in Cyprus, especially the link to child abuse, are limited. Still, studies have shown that alcohol abuse can lead to behaviors that can be problematic.