These children seem to have learned to adapt to an abusive and inconsistent caregiver by becoming cautiously self-reliant, and are often described as glib, manipulative and disingenuous in their interactions with others as they move through childhood. Children who are victims of neglect can have a more difficult time forming and maintaining relationships, such as romantic or friendship, later in life due to the lack of attachment they had in their earlier stages of life. Effects
Child abuse can result in immediate adverse physical effects but it is also strongly associated with developmental problems and with many chronic physical and psychological effects, including subsequent ill-health, including higher rates of chronic conditions, high-risk health behaviors and shortened lifespan. Child abuse has also been linked to suicide, according to a May 2019 study, published in the Cambridge University Press.Maltreated children may be at risk to become maltreating adults. A 1991 source reported that studies indicate that 90 percent of maltreating adults were maltreated as children. Emotional
Physical and emotional abuse have comparable effects on a childs emotional state and have been linked to childhood depression, low self-compassion, and negative automatic thoughts. Some research suggests that high stress levels from child abuse may cause structural and functional changes within the brain, and therefore cause emotional and social disruptions. Abused children can grow up experiencing insecurities, low self-esteem, and lack of development. Many abused children experience ongoing difficulties with trust, social withdrawal, trouble in school, and forming relationships.Babies and other young children can be affected differently by abuse than their older counterparts.
top Exploitation Through Trafficking Act passed in 2013 aimed at preventing the prosecution of sexually exploited youth being sex trafficked, redirecting abused and exploited youth from the criminal justice system to the child welfare system. This and other laws redirecting victims of child sex trafficking to the child welfare system are known as "Safe Harbor" laws.As of April 2019, 18 states had legislation requiring that mandated reporters report based on suspicion of child abuse of neglect. Advocacy organizations
United States
There are organizations at national, state, and county levels in the United States that provide community leadership in preventing child abuse and neglect. Mary Ellen Wilson, also called Mary Ellen McCormack, was an American whose case of child abuse, the first documented case of child abuse in the United States, led to the creation of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, which was incorporated in 1875. It was the worlds first child protective agency.Prevent Child Abuse America, founded in 1976, operates in 46 states to provide child abuse and neglect protection.Founded in 1985, the National Childrens Advocacy Center, along with National Childrens Alliance, coordinates efforts and sets standards and policy for child advocacy centers across the US and abroad. The Childrens Trust Fund Alliance, established in 1989, provides funding support to state level child abuse organisations. Many investigations into child abuse in the US are handled on the local level by 924 child advocacy centers, some of which are distributed among 34 other countries. Other organizations focus on specific prevention strategies.