Nowadays, we often hear news about child abuse. 10,943 cases of child abuse happened in 2012. It means 30 cases a day. The abuse and the age of the victims vary. In addition, people sometimes ignore cases of child abuse. We need to protect children who could be abused and provide treatment for children who are abused.
Child abuse is physical, mental, or sexual abuse. Physical abuse is beating children or doing bodily harm to them. Mental abuse is ignoring, constantly criticizing, threatening, or rejecting children. Sexual abuse is making children do sexual behavior. According to the National Child Protection Agency, about 10,943 cases of child abuse were reported in 2012, and it has kept increasing since 2000. In Korea, 84% of child abuse is by parents. Also, 87% of abuse happens at home, and a broken family has more probability of abuse happening. Female children or young teenagers are more likely to suffer from abuse. However, people often do not report abuse. The reason why this happens is Korean culture. Most Koreans think family problems need to be solved in the home and do not want to get involved in other families’ problems.
Children who are abused suffer aftereffects. Physically abused children cannot control their emotions and may have depression. Mentally abused children have low self-esteem and want attention. Sexually abused children may be afraid of people who look like the person who abused them or frightened of physical contact. About 30% of children have suicidal thoughts according to the Gangwon Child Protection Agency.
The government offers help to children. The Child Protection Agency diagnoses children’s problems from counseling and starts treatment. During counseling, a therapist helps children talk about their problems. Psychological treatments are art treatment and play treatment. In severe cases, the Child Protection Agency gives anti-depressant drug treatment at a hospital. This can reduce depression. However, there are not many professional agencies to help abused children. Moreover, there are not many people to help children compared to the number of calls and victims. Thus, children that need help and treatment cannot receive support.
There are increasing cases of child abuse, and children are suffering from the aftereffects of child abuse. The more people care about child abuse, the more children can be protected from child abuse. The government needs to improve the current support system to help children. Above all, our concern will be the best way to prevent child abuse.
