Any act or acts of commission or omission that results to harm or threaten to harm is referred to as child abuse and can be by parents or caregivers. These can be words or actions that are intentional or deliberate, but in some cases the harm to the child is never the intended consequence. For example, a caregiver may hit the child for punishment, not intending a concussion on the child. Types of child abuse prevalent that are prevalent include physical, sexual and psychological ("Definitions| Child Abuse and Neglect |Violence Prevention| Injury Center |CDC", 2018). In the US, statistics show that over 1,500 children loose lives annually from both abuse and neglect. Out of these, 75% of the fatal child abuse victims are always below three years of age.
Among the latest child abuse cases reported in November 2018 is that which involved a rotting body of a 3-month-old baby from Iowa. The body was found in a swing and the dad was charged. The 29-year-old dad was convicted for child endangerment murder of his infant who died in 2017 in a baby swing in their bedroom as reported by the Des Moines Register. The prosecution contended that when alive, the baby was swarmed with flies that were laying eggs and hatching maggots on him. Additionally, it was claimed that his soiled diapers caused an E.coli infection on him. This was evidenced by graphic photos that were availed at the trial and an autopsy was used to determine that the baby died of infection, dehydration and malnutrition. Both parents were charged in the death and the father is to be sentenced to imprisonment without parole.
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In conclusion, child abuse is devastating to a child and the effects can be lifelong. Abuse increases the possibility of the victim experiencing a developmental delay as well as emotional disabilities that are long-term. Additionally, children risk drugs involvement, engagement in sexually risky behavior and also behavioral disabilities. It is for these reasons that adults should look out for suspected signs of abuse and subsequently report them so that the child is protected from the abuse cycle.
Elder abuse or elder mistreatment encompasses abuse of elders along with neglect. It refers to the negligent treatment of an older adult who is vulnerable, over the age of 65, by either a trusted person or caregiver resulting in physical or psychological harm. The most common types of elder abuse include neglect, financial exploitation psychological or emotional abuse, sexual and physical abuse. It is an important public health concern because of 1 in every six people above the age of 60 experience some form of elder abuse each year in their community settings. These rates are higher in institutions like long-term care facilities and nursing homes, with two in three staff admitting to committing abuse in 2017. Elder abuse can potentially lead to long-term psychological issues and physical injuries and is predicted to rise in countries experiencing a robust aging population. Globally, the population of seniors aged above 60 years will be approximately 2 billion by the year 2050, from 900 million in 2015 which is above double ("Elder abuse", 2018).
Among the recent cases of elder abuse is of November 2018, involved death of a 71-year-old Joann Christopher from Michigan. She was found dead in March on a coach in a foster home in Mt. Morris Township in an unlicensed facility. Two people were charged in the elderly abuse Mary Chapman, 70 and her granddaughter Vamerolyn, 34. The prosecution alleged that the Chapmans who were meant to care for her neglected their duties leading to her death. After autopsy depicted that the deceased lost her life due to severe bed sores, dehydration, and malnutrition, the two charged with vulnerable adult abuse and felony murder. The Genesee County Sherriff, Robert Pickell added that the case is enough to shake the society’s conscience being one that values the elderly. The victim had been denied access to medical attention. The owner of the foster home was accused of trafficking of the elderly people because she moves around to elude authorities.
In conclusion, there is little that is known about elder abuse and its prevention especially in developing countries. It is for this reason that World Health Assembly came up with a Global strategy as well as a plan of action on health and aging, providing guidance for coordinated action among all countries and aligning it with Sustainable Development Goals. To ensure justice is served, everyone and healthcare in prime positions should identify, assess, manage and report the suspected cases of abuse since the elderly lack a voice to speak up for their rights. Everybody regardless of their status deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.
The two online sources (websites) used are credible sources because of the “inurl.gov” present in them. This shows that the information contained in them is proven facts. They are authoritative sources that are lengthy and covers the topics of child and elder abuse in details. This is in addition to the appropriateness for the topics covered and the intended audience who are the general public, researchers as well as professionals in the particular field. They are timely sources as guided by the time they were published hence very intellectually relevant and valuable. Lastly, the sources are accurate with no bias.
References
Definitions|Child Abuse and Neglect|Violence Prevention|Injury Center|CDC. (2018). Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childabuseandneglect/definitions.html
Elder abuse. (2018). Retrieved from http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/elder-abuse
