CHILD ABUSE

                                           

 BIBLE PASSAGE: MARK 10:13-16

13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

 15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

 16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

 INTRODUCTION

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, a child is "a young person especially between infancy and youth". Child abuse is any maltreatments of a child which causes him/her harm. Such action can also take the form of a child neglect or failure to protect a child from danger especially by a parent or other caregivers. The Bible tells us that whosoever harms a child is asking for God's anger (Mark 9:42)

FORMS OF CHILD ABUSE

Child abuse into three broad categories as follows:

 i. Physical abuse

ii. Sexual abuse

iii. Emotional abuse

The forms and elements of Child abuse are stated below:

Physical abuse:  

i. Excessive beating of a child 

ii. Throwing objects at child, poisoning, child labour e.g. trafficking, Hawking

iii. Neglecting to give the child basic necessities of life like food, clothing, shelter, education, healthcare, etc. 

iv. Use of drugs, alcohol or any substance that will cause the child distress 

1Kings 3:19; 25-26 and Mark 9:42 to buttress the points.

II. Sexual abuse: 

i. Fondling of a child's sexual organs,

ii. Pornography 

iii. Rape

iv. Defilement of a child

 (2Samuel 13:10-15) to buttress the points.

III. Emotional/Psychological abuse: 

a. Teasing, bullying 

b. Threat 

c. Verbal abuse/cursing 

d. Belittling

e. Blaming/finding fault.

SIGNS AND PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE

i. Aggressive behaviour, 

ii. Low self-esteem, 

iii. Sleeping difficulties, 

iv. Unexplained bruises, burns or swellings, 

v. Lack of concentration  

vi. Inclination to crime 

vii. Deformation or death. 

1. Early education, identification and intervention.

2. Break The silence I e. reporting  abuse appropriately.

c. Train a child in a godly ways (Proverbs 22:6)

d. Correction to wrong doing should be directed towards healing and reforming and not destroying. 

CONCLUSION

Child abuse is a menace that must be dealt with holistically and in the fear of God.