Debunking Myths about Child Abuse

by: Naya Umbay

Little girl with a bandage on the forehead holding a teddy bear.

"Child abuse casts a shadow the length of a lifetime." Leaving children unsupervised exposing them to hazardous situations, depriving them of their needs, making them vulnerable to sexual situations, or beating up their self-esteem are all forms of child abuse and neglect. And as you can see, not all signs of abuse are as obvious. Therefore, the only ways to stop it from happening are by speaking up, by properly educating the communities about its prevention, and by giving them the resources to seek help when they are having a hard time. However, before all that can take place, there are several myths that cause people to receive false information regarding the gravity of these atrocities. And it’s time for the truth:

1. Myth: It’s only abuse if you’re physically harmed.

Fact: There are other types of child abuse such as child neglect, sexual, and emotional abuse, which can inflict just as much damage even though they’re not always as obvious. Physical abuse is just one of them.

2. Myth: Everyone who abuses their children are considered as bad people.

Fact: There are a lot of internal struggles that parents or guardians may face which leads them to unintentionally harm their children. This includes drug or alcohol addiction, mental health issues, as well as victims of abuse themselves which know no other types of parenting.

3. Myth: “Good” families don’t experience abuse.

Fact: Abuse can happen to anyone no matter his or her race, culture, or economic status. And since some types of abuse are not as obvious, there are instances wherein families with a good reputation sometimes hides a different story behind closed doors.

4. Myth: Strangers are most commonly the child abusers.

Fact: It is, in fact, true that some strangers are abusers. However, families or members close to the family are the most common.

5. Myth: Children who are victims of child abuse always grow up to be abusers.

Fact: It is true that a percentage of abused children are more likely to repeat the cycle of abuse as adults; although, most of them are don’t realize that they are unconsciously repeating their experiences as a child. But usually, child abuse survivors use their trauma as a strong motivation to prevent their children from experiencing what they went through and protect them even more from abusers.

Sources:

Smith, M., Robinson, L., & Segal, J. (2020, February 4). Child Abuse and Neglect. Retrieved February 12, 2020, from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect.htm?

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Childhelp. (n.d.). Child Abuse Myths- The 8 Biggest Misconceptions. Retrieved February 12, 2020, from https://www.childhelp.org/blog/child-abuse-myths-misconceptions-prevention/