Thursday, May 16, 2013

Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Symptoms

The first step in helping abused or neglected children is learning to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect. The presence of a single sign does not prove child abuse is occurring in a family, but a closer look at the situation may be warranted when these signs appear repeatedly or in combination.
If you do suspect a child is being harmed, reporting your suspicions may protect the child and get help for the family. Any concerned person can report suspicions of child abuse and neglect. Some people (typically certain types of professionals) are required by law to make a report of child maltreatment under specific circumstances—these are called mandatory reporters. For more information, see the Child Welfare Information Gateway publication,

For more information about where and how to file a report, contact your local child protective services agency or police department. An additional resource for information and referral is the Childhelp® National Child Abuse Hotline (800.4.A.CHILD).

Recognizing Child Abuse

The following signs may signal the presence of child abuse or neglect.

The Child:

  • Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance
  • Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents' attention
  • Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes
  • Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen
  • Lacks adult supervision
  • Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn
  • Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home

 

The Parent:

  • Shows little concern for the child
  • Denies the existence of—or blames the child for—the child's problems in school or at home
  • Asks teachers or other caregivers to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves
  • Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome
  • Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve
  • Looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and satisfaction of emotional needs
  •  

The Parent and Child:

  • Rarely touch or look at each other
  • Consider their relationship entirely negative
  • State that they do not like each other

 

Types of Abuse

The following are some signs often associated with particular types of child abuse and neglect: physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. It is important to note, however, that these types of abuse are more typically found in combination than alone. A physically abused child, for example, is often emotionally abused as well, and a sexually abused child also may be neglected.

 

Signs of Physical Abuse

Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the child:
  • Has unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, or black eyes
  • Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school
  • Seems frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home
  • Shrinks at the approach of adults
  • Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver
Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver:
  • Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for the child's injury
  • Describes the child as "evil," or in some other very negative way
  • Uses harsh physical discipline with the child
  • Has a history of abuse as a child

 

Signs of Neglect

Consider the possibility of neglect when the child:
  • Is frequently absent from school
  • Begs or steals food or money
  • Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses
  • Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor
  • Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather
  • Abuses alcohol or other drugs
  • States that there is no one at home to provide care
Consider the possibility of neglect when the parent or other adult caregiver:
  • Appears to be indifferent to the child
  • Seems apathetic or depressed
  • Behaves irrationally or in a bizarre manner
  • Is abusing alcohol or other drugs

 

Signs of Sexual Abuse

Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the child:
  • Has difficulty walking or sitting
  • Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities
  • Reports nightmares or bedwetting
  • Experiences a sudden change in appetite
  • Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior
  • Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if under age 14
  • Runs away
  • Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver
Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver:
  • Is unduly protective of the child or severely limits the child's contact with other children, especially of the opposite sex
  • Is secretive and isolated
  • Is jealous or controlling with family members

 

Signs of Emotional Maltreatment

Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment when the child:
  • Shows extremes in behavior, such as overly compliant or demanding behavior, extreme passivity, or aggression
  • Is either inappropriately adult (parenting other children, for example) or inappropriately infantile (frequently rocking or head-banging, for example)
  • Is delayed in physical or emotional development
  • Has attempted suicide
  • Reports a lack of attachment to the parent

Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment when the  
parent or other adult caregiver:
  • Constantly blames, belittles, or berates the child
  • Is unconcerned about the child and refuses to consider offers of help for the child's problems
  • Overtly rejects the child

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Monday, May 13, 2013

INYT Video

I have no words to say thank you to Fuzz Lennie who take her time to do this awesome video.
Touched my heart and my soul, I cried sawing it, is amazing think in how many little ones around all the world at this moment when you read the post are in danger and someone is abusing them, we need to try to stop this, I know is impossible help all, but with the support of all of you we can make difference at least on a few of them and give them back their smile and the innocent look that only a child can have.

Thank you my sweet Fuzzie for your unconditional support and for all who already start to work with us in this cause, INYT team, designers and models who already say, Yes, count with me!
Thank you all!!!


Sunday, May 12, 2013

I'm Not Your Toy 1st. Charity Event

 ***********I'm Not Your Toy (INYT) 1st. Charity Event***********
 
From June 17th to June 23rd.


I'm Not Your Toy (INYT) is born today to raise funds to support non-profit organizations about child abuse. 

I'm Not Your Toy (INYT),new Second Life charity for children in foster and kinship care.

Founder and MUTYA [VM] VERO MODERO ELITE MODEL 2013 Lua Vendetta felt it important to choose a charity that benefited children.

I'm Not Your Toy (INYT) will have the first charity event in Second Life® in June and all donation will go to Associação Projecto Criar (http://projectocriar.blogspot.pt/).

The vision is for every child in foster and kinship care to feel safe and loved and that these special kids are empowered to create security and connection through healthy self-expression. The charity achieves this thorough the provision of inspirational creative arts programs that help kids develop confidence and healthy self-expression.

We also have donation kiosks available that can be placed in your store, club, or venue to accept donations.


HOW TO GET INVOLVE?
We are currently looking for designers & content creators who would be willing to donate items during the event.

Designers are asked to contribute from 1 to 3 new and EXCLUSIVE items and to be sold with 100% of sales going to I'm Not Your Toy (INYT).
All payments must only be made to ImNotYourToy Resident.

We also will have a hunt during the event, and any item is welcome, we will put the hunt item for sale, from 10L to 100L, depending of what is inside the box, this not need to be exclusive, but better if is a latest release of your store and maybe an exclusive color that you not have at your store.
The hunt is open for all, not necessary the designers involved in the charity event.

Also anyone is welcome to donate their work, time, gift certificate, etc., like models, photographers, videographers, anyone that think that they knowledge can help to this noble cause

To know more about the charity, please visit: http://inyt-sl.blogspot.pt/
Follow us at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/INYTSL

Contact Person:
Lua Vendetta
Fuzz Lennie

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

I'm Not Your Toy

Child abuse is the physical, sexual or emotional mistreatment or neglect of a child or children.
 Is more than bruises and broken bones. While physical abuse might be the most visible, other types of abuse, such as emotional abuse and neglect, also leave deep, lasting scars. The earlier abused children get help, the greater chance they have to heal and break the cycle—rather than perpetuate it. By learning about common signs of abuse and what you can do to intervene, you can make a huge difference in a child’s life.

 I'm Not Your Toy (INYT) is born today to raise funds to support non-profit organizations about child abuse.

INYT will have the first event in Second Life® in June, 2013.
The organization that 100% of raised money will go this time is;

 

Associação Projecto Criar


Since I live in Portugal I would like to help a local Institution, but remembering that child abuse is universal, is not a local issue, affects all countries and we all have a child near us, can be our kids or a grandchildren, a sister a nephew a neighbor, any of them can be victim of abuse.

Please join us to help Stop Child Abuse!


References:
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/child_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm
Wikipedia