Youth Yellow Pages: Child Abuse
“I’m tired of my mother hitting me and I need to tell someone.” - 14 year old
When we think of child abuse, we may think of someone physically harming a small child. But about one-third of the victims of child abuse are teens. And child abuse includes neglect and emotional abuse, as well as physical and sexual abuse.
Some studies have shown that one in every three girls and one in every six boys become victims of sexual abuse by the age of 18. The abuser usually threatens or blames the victim, so that the victim will keep the abuse a secret. Abusers are usually someone the child knows—a family member or a well-known adult the victim trusts—and they are likely to repeat the abuse. As they do, the violence grows worse.
Here are some signs of physical and sexual abuse:
- Damage to the skin like burns, cuts, bruises
- Injury to the genitals or anus
- Nightmares
- Fear of certain places or people
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained changes in how the child or teen acts at school or with friends
- Acting out the abuse with friends or in drawings
- Excessive masturbation or preoccupation with sex
- Use of drugs or alcohol to numb out
- Self-mutilation (burning self with cigarettes, jabbing with pens, etc.)
What are Emotional Abuse and Neglect?
Emotional Abuse - occurs when the adult(s) in
charge frequently or even constantly use screaming,
threatening, blaming, sarcasm, putting down as ways
to control.
An adult who is always depressed, negative, picking
fights with the other members of the household can
also be a source of emotional abuse.
Emotional Neglect - occurs when parents ignore children. It may happen because the parents are using drugs or alcohol, or because they have their own problems, but it can have serious effects on children and teens.
Physical Neglect is also a form of child abuse. It occurs when a parent or caretaker fails to provide a child or teen with adequate food, shelter, clothing, protection, supervision and/or medical care.
If you suspect a child or teen you know is being abused, or if you are being abused yourself, call for help. IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT. Keeping the abuse a secret does not help you or anyone else; keeping the secret only causes the cycle of pain and shame to go on and on.
NOTE: Legally, you have certain rights. Among these are the right always to be safe, to have a safe place to live, medical care, food and clean clothing. See Legal Assistance. Also see counseling section for additional referral information.
Child Alert at Didi Hirsch CMHC
Outpatient Clinic .............................................. 310-390-6612
M-F 8:30am-5pm, open evenings for counseling www.didihirsch.org
Outpatient clinic provides counseling and mental health services.
Child Protection Hotline of L.A. County................. 800-540-4000
24 hours
To report abuse. Referrals for counseling and childcare. Bilingual.
Child Sexual Abuse Crisis Center Harbor-
UCLA Medical Center............................................. 310-222-3567
M-F 8am-12pm & 1pm-5pm
On-site medical services and referrals. Forensic evaluations of victims
17 yrs & under.
Childhelp USA, National Child Abuse Hotline ....... 800-422-4453
24 hours www.childhelpusa.org
Additional phone: (323) 465-4016
Crisis intervention for child abuse, telephone counseling and referrals.
Children's Institute International............................. 213-385-5100
24 hours www.childrensinstitute.org
South Bay: (310) 783-4677
Treatment, foster care, parent education, and childcare.
CPS West, Child protective Services
of Riverside County (RIVERSIDE) .......................... 800-442-4918
24 hours
Child abuse Hotline, investigates neglect or abuse of children,
provides reports and protective services, counseling, and community
resources referrals.
Family Stress Center ........................................... 818-830-0200
M-Th 8:30am-7pm; F 8:30am-5:30pm www.childguidance.org
24 hr emergency number: (818) 993-9311
Extensive services, counseling and treatment provided where child abuse,
sexual abuse, neglect or domestic violence has occurred or there is risk
of occurring. Serves San Fernando Valley. Sliding fees. Spanish spoken.
Accepts MediCal and health insurance.
House of Ruth Child Abuse
Treatment Program (CHAT) ................................... 909-623-4364
Counseling and case management services to teens up to 18 yrs of age
who have experienced abuse, neglect or violence in the home, school or community. English and Spanish. Free of charge.
Parents Anonymous .............................................. 909-621-6184
M-F 8am-4:30pm; 24 hr recording. www.parentsanonymous.org
Self-help for parents and teens at risk for child abuse, child abuse prevention. Support groups for pregnant and parenting teens.
Stuart House .......................................................... 310-319-4248
M-F 8am-6pm
FREE Bilingual. Immediate assistance and treatment for those under 18
on the Westside of LA.
Related websites:
www.peaceoverviolence.org
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