Q: What types of child abuse are there?

A: There are four main categories for child maltreatment/abuse. They include: emotional abuse (behaviors that harm a child's self-worth or emotional well-being, including name calling, shaming, rejection, withholding of love, and threatening); neglect (failure to meet a child's basic needs including housing, food, clothing, education, and access to medical care); physical abuse (use of physical force, such as kicking, hitting, shaking, burning or other show of force against a child); and sexual abuse (engaging a child in sexual acts that include fondling, rape and exposing a child to other sexual activities).

Q: How many children are the victims of child abuse?

A: In 2011, almost 1,500 reports of suspected child abuse were received for Lehigh and Northampton Counties. Specific to Northampton County, in 2012, 696 reports were received, of which 10.2 percent (71) were substantiated (reports that are founded as a result of judicial adjudication or indicated by the county based on medical evidence, the investigation or an admission by the perpetrator). In the state of Pennsylvania, approximately 78 percent of all suspected abuse reports received are from mandated reporters (individuals whose occupation or profession brings them into contact with children, i.e., teachers, childcare providers, medical providers and mental health providers). General community members make up the 22 percent reporting based on everyday living situations.

Q: What are some reasons for/causes of child abuse?

A: Young children, under age four, are at greatest risk for severe injury and death from abuse. Also, children living in a family environment where there is a great deal of stress are at greater risk for one of the four forms of maltreatment/abuse. Some of the more common causes we find locally include: lack of protective parenting and supervision, parental dysfunction, impairment of parents (due to mental health, drugs and addiction related issues and inability to provide for the health and well-being of the child).

Q: How do you recognize child abuse? What should you do if you suspect child abuse?

A: Recognizing child maltreatment is not always crystal clear. It might be hearing or observing statements made by a child/victim or parents about an abusive act; observing an injury; observing neglect (which could include missed medical/dental appointments resulting in a medical condition); hearing statements or observations made about sexual contact, statements, videos (include social media pages) or physical injury due to sexual contact. If someone suspects child abuse they should call ChildLine at 800-932-0313 or if the child is in imminent danger, call the police.

Q: What resources are available to help prevent child abuse and help the victims of child abuse?

A: Our local Offices of Children & Youth Services have resources available to support victims of child maltreatment/abuse. Of course, to access these resources the maltreatment/abuse needs to be reported. In addition, there are community resources to prevent child abuse and include in-home parenting programs (i.e., Parents As Teachers, Nurse Family Partnership, Parent Advocate in The Home and Visiting Nurse Advocate for the County), parenting classes and community based educational programs (i.e., Front Porch Project- a project being offered locally that educates community members on how to identify potential abuse and how to promote positive parenting). In addition, general community based awareness efforts like this article is meant to be a resource for the readers.

Q: What can we do to prevent child abuse?

A: Supporting our neighbors and family members is vital; and it's important to remember that every little bit of positive effort counts. Research has shown there are six protective factors that decrease the risk of child maltreatment/abuse from occurring. These include:

ŸNuturing and attachment: A child's early experience of being nurtured and developing a bond with a caring adult affects all aspects of behavior and development. When parents and children have strong, warm feelings for one another, children develop trust that their parents will provide what they need to thrive, including love, acceptance, positive guidance and protection.

ŸKnowledge of parenting and child development: Parents who understand how children grow and develop can provide an environment where children can live up to their potential. Child abuse and neglect are often associated with a lack of understanding of basic child development or an inability to put that knowledge into action. Timely mentoring, coaching, advice and practice may be more useful to parents than information alone.

ŸParental resilience: Parents who are emotionally resilient have a positive attitude, creatively solve problems, effectively address challenges and are less likely to direct anger and frustration at their children– and when they feel out of their league, they seek support and counseling.

ŸSocial connections: Evidence links social isolation and perceived lack of support to child maltreatment. Trusted and caring family and friends provide emotional support to parents by offering encouragement and assistance in facing the daily challenges of raising a family. Supportive adults in the family and the community can model alternative parenting styles and can serve as resources for parents when they need help. This is where the community can help the most by sharing a kind word of praise when they see parents in action.

ŸConcrete support for parents: Many factors beyond the parent-child relationship affect a family's ability to care for their children. Parents need basic resources such as food, clothing, housing, transportation and access to essential services that address family-specific needs (such as child care and health care) to ensure the health and well-being of their children. Some families may also need support connecting to social services such as alcohol and drug treatment, domestic violence counseling, or public benefits. Providing or connecting families to the concrete support families need is critical. These combined efforts help families cope with stress and prevent situations where maltreatment could occur.

ŸSocial and emotional competence of children: Just like learning to walk, talk, or read, children must also learn to identify and express emotions effectively.

When a child has the right tools for healthy emotional expression, parents are better able to respond to his or her needs, which strengthens the parent-child relationship.

For more tips and information on how to prevent child maltreatment and promote well-being, visit www.childwelfare.gov or www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention.

Melissa Craig, R.N., is the assistant director of St. Luke's Community Health Department.

Resources: www.childwelfare.gov; www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention; 2011 PA Dept of Public Welfare: Annual Child Abuse Report; Child Protective Service's Law- PA; Northampton and Lehigh County Offices of Child & Youth Services.