Dynamics 

Uncovering acts of abuse is often difficult.  Children and teenagers will not usually talk about their abuse but will protect their abusers by making excuses for the injuries they have sustained.  To detect abuse one must make careful observations over a period of time.  An inaccurate report of abuse is just as unmerited as an unreported and undisclosed case of abuse.  A false report is devastating and can be long-lasting.  The stigma remains far after the report is made.  Therefore, it is imperative that careful investigations are done before accusations are made (The National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC, 1997).

Child abuse is rarely an isolated incident.  There is usually a pattern of unfolding events that can appear as early as infancy and as late as adolescence.  Often abused children do not realize there anything abnormal about what is happening in their family.  They are brought up knowing nothing different, and they assume that everyone shares their same experiences (NCVC, 1997).

Research has been done to investigate the life effects of abuse on children.  The National Center for Victims of Crime (1997) reports that a large majority of mistreated infants form insecure attachment relationships with their caregivers.  These interactions evolve into anxious, avoidant patterns of attachment.  This style of attachment has been associated with later maladaptation and development.  These findings also show signs of the development of an autonomous self-esteem that is low or unresolved.  Children that live in abusive environments have a tendency toward being aggressive, frustrated, and more noncompliant than average.  Abused children are also slow in developing external awareness and differentiation of inanimate and animate objects with social skills that are often immature or dysfunctional.  This research indicates that there are short and long-term effects of the abuse that can affect the general developmental and emotional health of the abused child.

The NCVC (1997) says that, “Abuse can produce low self-esteem, aggressive behavior, acting out, suicidal tendencies, running away, wariness of adults, withdrawal, inhibition, and school and social adjustment problems. As symptoms combine, they can develop into codependency. Abused teens learn to cope. Coping mechanisms include care taking — growing up quickly and taking care of the house, keeping it running smoothly and trying to be "good." They can also withdraw and isolate themselves, trying not to be noticed. Sometimes teens will equate their abuse with love, when the only attention they receive is abuse, some teens will provoke it, searching for the attention they receive as a result (Ackerman and Graham, 1990).” (Overview, para 4)

According to reports by the Child Welfare Information Gateway (2006), child abuse and neglect have an impact on four key areas: psychological, physical, behavioral, and societal.  Luckily, not all abused and neglected children will experience long-term consequences.  Individual cases differ and are affected by a combination of factors, including:

• The age of the child and developmental status when the abuse or neglect occurred
• Type of abuse (physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, etc.)
• Frequency, duration, and severity of abuse
• The relationship between the victim and his or her abuser 

There are a number of protective factors that contribute to helping an abused or neglected child’s ability to cope.  These include individual characteristics, such as optimism, self-esteem, intelligence, creativity, humor, and independence.  It may also include family, social environment, health care, and community well being (CWIG, 2006).