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 the Counseling section for additional referral information.
CHILD ABUSE RESOURCES
310-390-6612Child Alert at Didi Hirsch CMHC Outpatient Clinic
M-F 8:30am-5pm; open evenings for counseling
Website: www.didihirsch.org
Outpatient clinic provides counseling and mental health services.
800-540-4000Child Protection Hotline of L.A. County
24 hours
To report abuse. Referrals for counseling and childcare. Bilingual.
800-422-4453Childhelp USA, National Child Abuse Hotline
24 hours
Website: www.childhelpusa.org
Additional phone: (323) 465-4016
Crisis intervention for child abuse, telephone counseling and referrals.
213-385-5100Children's Institute International
24 hours
Website: www.childrensinstitute.org
South Bay: (310)783-4677
Treatment, foster care, parent education, and childcare.
CPS West, Child protective Services of Riverside County (RIVERSIDE)
24 hours
Child abuse Hotline, investigates neglect or abuse of children, provides reports and protective services, counseling, and community resources referrals.
818-830-0200Family Stress Center
M-Th 8:30am-7pm; F 8:30am-5:30pm
Website: 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.
310-222-3567Harbor-UCLA Child Crisis Center
M-F 8am-5pm
Multidisciplinary forensic evaluations of suspected child abuse/sexual abuse for victims 17 years and under.
909-623-4364House of Ruth Child Abuse Treatment Program (CHAT)
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.
562-489-4571Options for Hope, Inc.
T, Th, F 9am-9pm
Professional therapy for alcohol and drugs, child abuse, cutting and self-injury, depression, anxiety, and family problems.
909-621-6184Parents Anonymous
M-F 8am-4:30pm; 24 hr recording
Website: www.parentsanonymous.org
Self-help for parents and teens at risk for child abuse, child abuse prevention. Support groups for pregnant and parenting teens.
310-319-4248Stuart House
M-F 8am-6pm
FREE Bilingual. Immediate assistance and treatment for those under 18 on the Westside of LA.
