Unusual Forms of Child Abuse (From Battered Child, Fifth Edition, P 431-447, 1997, Mary E. Helfer, Ruth S. Kempe, et al., eds. -- See NCJ-183728)

• NCJ Number: 183745
• Author(s): Donna A. Rosenberg M.D.
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 17 pages
• Sale Source: University of Chicago Press
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Collected Work
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper discusses some of the less common forms of child abuse, such as the link between technology and child abuse, withholding medical care for religious reasons, bizarre diets, water deprivation and water intoxication, psychosocial obesity, child labor, child prostitution and pornography, and sexual sadism.

Abstract

Child abuse does not usually involve technological weapons or means. As technologies develop, however, some are used in the abuse of children. Biotechnology technologies encompasses the use, manipulation, and engineering of biological materials, including human body parts and substances. Activities of biotechnology companies should be closely followed to determine their impact on children. Child protection laws in every state include medical care neglect as a form of child abuse, and all parents are legally responsible to provide necessary medical care for their children. Nonetheless, certain parents who withhold medical care from their children because of religious beliefs are exempt from these laws. Despite these religious beliefs, the American Academy of Pediatrics and others believe that no child should be permitted to suffer from or die of a treatable illness because parents have certain religious beliefs that prohibit effective medical care. Parents may also abuse their children through improper diets, water deprivation, water intoxication, and obesity resulting from family dysfunction. Child labor is another form of child abuse, although child labor laws limit the use of children in the work force by imposing restrictions such as minimum age, maximum number of hours, adequate supervision, and reduced exposure to hazards. Child pornography and child prostitution represent more than sexual abuse of children; they are also serious forms of emotional neglect and physical abuse. When sexual abuse of a child also involves abusive ceremonies, rites, or practices, the child may be further or even more strangely traumatized. The author notes that some of the unusual forms of child abuse are not frequently encountered but that determining the prevalence rates for such forms of child abuse is virtually impossible. 43 references