Abuse

Learn the signs to make a difference. 

The Definition

Abuse By Definition

The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act defines child abuse and neglect as, at minimum:

a. "Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker, which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation"; or

b. "An act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm."

What does it look like?

Types of Abuse

Abuse primarily comes in the following four forms. 

Physical

Any nonaccidental physical injury to the child and can include striking, kicking, burning, or biting the child, or any action that results in a physical impairment of the child.

Emotional

Injury to the psychological capacity or emotional stability evidenced by an observable or substantial change in behavior, emotional response, or cognition" and injury as evidenced by anxiety, depression, withdrawal, or aggressive behavior.

Sexual

Unwanted sexual activity, with perpetrators using force, making threats or taking advantage of victims not able to give consent.

Neglect

Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caregiver that results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation, or an act or failure to act that presents an imminent risk of serious harm.

Give us a hand

Education = An Informed Observer

If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected please report it to your local authorities or contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at (1-800) 422-4453. Children suffering from abuse may go unnoticed for years, permanently damaging their health and development. There are many signs that can help you know what to look for. Remember that no single sign listed below is proof of abuse, but they are signs to alert you to a potential abuse situation.

Learn the signs

Signs of Abuse in Children

Abuse can be hard to spot without proper training. Learn these signs to help make a difference. 

Physical Abuse Signs

  • Unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, or black eyes without adequate explanation
  • Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school
  • Frequent complaint of pain without obvious injury
  • Lack of reaction to pain
  • Unreasonable clothing that may hide injuries to arms or legs
  • Seems frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home from school
  • Shrinks at the approach of adults
  • Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver

Sexual Abuse Signs

  • Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities
  • Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if under age fourteen
  • Runs away
  • Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver 
  • Sexual victimization of other children
  • Has knowledge of sexual relations beyond what is expected for a child’s age
  • Fear of being alone with adults of a certain sex
  • Displays sexual behavior, comments, or play

Emotional Abuse Signs

  • Low self-esteem
  • Severe depression, anxiety, or aggression 
  • Difficulty making friends or doing things with other children 
  • Is either inappropriately adult or inappropriately infantile
  • Is delayed in physical or emotional development
  • Has attempted suicide; or Reports a lack of attachment to the parent

Neglect Abuse Signs

  • Is frequently absent from school
  • Obvious malnourishment 
  • Lack of personal cleanliness
  • Begs or steals food or money from classmates
  • Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses
  • Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather
  • Abuses alcohol or other drugs
  • States there is no one at home to provide care

The Facts

Knowing the facts is the first step to making meaningful changes in the world.

It’s estimated that at least 1 in 7 children in the US has experienced child abuse and/or neglect in the past year.

Neglect is the most common form of child abuse, followed by physical abuse, sexual abuse, and psychological abuse.

Children younger than one are the most vulnerable to maltreatment, accounting for almost half of child fatalities from abuse in 2018.

Report/Hotlines

Help is just a phone call away

Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) – National Sexual Assault Hotline

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via phone

Hotline: 1 (800) 656-4673

Online Chat: www.online.rainn.org

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

ChildHelp National Child Abuse Hotline

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via phone and text

Hotline: 1 (800) 422–4453

The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse. Serving the U.S. and Canada in over 170 languages. The hotline offers crisis intervention, information, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. If you are being hurt, know someone who might be hurting, or are afraid you might hurt another, call or text the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline. All calls are confidential.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via phone and online chat

Hotline : 1 (800) 799-7233

Hotline (Espanol): 1 (800) 942-6908

The National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) is available for anyone experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via phone and online chat

Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline

Hours vary, available via phone and online chat.

Hotline: 1 (888) 843 – 4564

Youth Talk Line: 1 (800) 246 – 7743

Senior Helpline: 1 (888) 234 – 7243

Email: help@LGBThotline.org

The LGBT National Help Center serves gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning people by providing free and confidential peer support and local resources.

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The School Project

We believe English education has the power to break the cycle of injustice and lack of opportunity in a family’s life and give a child a chance in the ever-growing, modern South Asia and world.

Therefore, we educate our children in a high-quality, English-medium school. One where English is the primary language used during instruction.

Our school provides:

  • Local teachers
  • International board and influence
  • Computer training
  • Extracurricular activities (sports, dance, music)
  • Counseling
  • Life skills training (cooking, agriculture)

In addition, we provide on-campus, safe-housing; known as a hostel. This includes:

  • House moms that truly care for our children
  • Nutritional, warm, tasty meals and snacks
  • All clothing and school needs provided for
  • Medical care
  • Study time and play time
  • Safety and security

We strongly believe in working together to make a difference. It takes many voices to speak into one person’s life. We welcome teams, especially with international persons, to love on our children, to teach them new things, to give our children exposure to the “outside” world, and to practice their English-speaking. 

We understand that the child will have a decision to make once they graduate. Will they return to the life they saw when they were a little child? Or, do they take everything they have been given, a changed destiny, and go change other destinies? Our dream is that through their years at our school and home, these children will take prominent jobs in society and change the world for the good. We are committed to their safety even as they transition into a dignified profession in the real world.

“When I grow up, I want to be a doctor so that I can help other people like the doctor did for my mom.” – Student, grade 6

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Night Program

On any given night the babies of sex workers are exposed to an unimaginable amount of atrocities and dangers. Often these little ones are physically and verbally abused, drugged to keep quiet through the night, left to wander the streets alone, or left lying next to their mother as she takes in client after client. These children are some of the most vulnerable. 

In partnership with a trusted organization, we have started a night shelter for these precious babies under the age of five. This night care provides:

  • A safe place to sleep 
  • An open place to play 
  • A clean place to bathe 
  • A nutritious meal to eat

Having this night care shelter also provides the opportunity to connect with more women in the red-light areas. The more women we connect with allows us to hear more of their needs and desires and hopefully provide a solution to change their destiny. 

We are in no way in support of what these women do every night. However, we care for the child who is otherwise left alone in their most vulnerable state. We care for the child that is forgotten. We care for the child that did not choose this life. 

Our hope is that through this night care and through the relationships built, the mothers will want to send their children to our residential school. 

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Beauty Program

Vocational Training-

We believe vocational training can ignite forgotten dreams and give the opportunity for a bright future with a dignified career. One injustice we work with is human trafficking and sexual slavery. Many women are stuck in this trade because of illegal debt, while many others are stuck because of their limited, to no, education. Vocational training empowers these women to fight for their future. They too have a right to education.

Our beauty program launched in response to many women’s interest in this skill. They spoke, we listened. They dreamed, we responded.

This training includes:

  • Intro to Beauty Course
    • Beauty (facials, nail care)
    • Haircutting
    • Makeup
    • Life skills
  • Advanced Training Course
    • Haircutting
    • Hair color
    • Texture services
    • Life skills
“I love school. This school is different. When I come here, I feel at peace. It feels like family.” ~2019 Student