| While
this paper focuses on child abuse by burning, it
covers other areas of violence: children killing
their parents, teachers, schoolmates. The danger
signals that disturbed minds send and the anger
signs may not be recognized or taken seriously by
family members, friends, teachers, or neighbors,
until tragedy strikes.
Child abuse by burning is one of
the most difficult of injuries to identify properly
and to investigate. The search for solutions has
been varied, sometime haphazardly and based on innate
guesswork, unfounded preconceptions and myths with
little, if any, scientific input.
Of 1,356 cases of suspected child
abuse reported to the National Burn Victim Foundation
(NBVF) between 1975 and 1996, spontaneous acts of
violence against children were involved in 176 cases
(14%). In 168 of those cases (97%), the parent or
guardian caring for the child was known to have
an aggressive response behavior. In four cases,
the perpetrator was identified as passive. There
were four cases of premeditated acts of violence.
Of the abusers, males totaled 79 (45%) and females
97 (55%). Two cases were homicides by burning.
Cases involving ignorance and/or
willful neglect totaled 466 (35%) of the 1,356 cases.
It was determined that accidents accounted for 712
(53%) of the suspicious burn incidents. I could
find no data to support the opinion of some medical
professionals that major burn insults or the severity
of the injury occurred mostly in abuse incidents.
Major, moderate and minor burns occurred in all
areas of abuse, neglect and accident. Scalding burns
totaled 952 (70%) while hot surface contact burns
totaled 253 (19%). Other causes of skin irritation
wrongfully identified as burns were diarrhea (68),
insect bites (39), Ritter's disease (9) and allergies
(35).
The aggressive response person
is generally reported to be preoccupied with self,
displays selfish behavior, and does not give adequate
attention to the needs of others. That person displays
a lack of concern for the impact anger will have
on the recipient. Violent, aggressive response behavior
includes verbal and physical attacks on others,
labeling others, putting others down, teasing, humiliation
of others and sometimes blatant sarcasm. Seen as
a person with a short fuse, the aggressive response
person may possess not only a quick temper but also
a nasty disposition and may act impulsively. Any
one or combination of these traits is a "red
flag" when searching for a motive in cases
of child abuse by burning, or any act of physical
violence.
On the other hand, the passive
person is aware of hostile anger but keeps it down.
If problems persist over time, a blowup or emotional
breakdown can be expected. The passive behavior
person may avoid the problem, use the "silent
treatment," display apathy, use subtle sarcasm,
forget things, and does not give adequate attention
to personal needs.
When there is a mystery as to how
a child was burned and there appears to be no motive,
that is the time to explore, in depth, whether the
person responsible for the child at the time of
the incident is known to possess an aggressive response
behavior. A common error is to assume prematurely
that the character of the adult is impeccable. An
articulate, glib person is capable of covering up
a quick temper; that person can and does demonstrate
remorse when appropriate. During an investigation,
friends, family and associates generally will express
an opinion as to whether an adult has a quick temper.
If that is established, then a psychological profile
follows to identify the adults strengths and weaknesses
and determination of whether that individual fits
the mold of an aggressive, quick-tempered person.
The Bible addressed "anger"
in Proverbs 14, verse 17: "A quick tempered
man does foolish things." Verse 18 says, "A
hot tempered man stirs up dissension." Proverbs
22, verse 24, says, "Do not make friends with
a hot tempered man, do not associate with one easily
angered." The hot-tempered man (or woman) flying
off at the drop of a hat, was as socially unacceptable
then as he (or she) is today.
While the Bible references "angry
men," men today have not cornered the market
on anger--women can be just as angry in today's
violent society. Women, in an act of anger, generally
strike out at a single person. Aggressive males
can extend their acts of anger and may vent their
rage on a larger scale of violence.
Reported child abuse, physical
and emotional, in the United States is like a "runaway
train," whose engineer fails to see the danger
signals along the way. Reports of child abuse are
soaring to new heights year after year. Education
and training of physicians and investigators in
forensics is needed. The need for higher standards
of training is tremendous. Violence seen in movies
and on home television is turning this countrys
youth into believing that aggressive, dangerous
anger is an acceptable social behavior. However,
we know that aggressive anger results in violent
crime. Public service television station have an
opportunity to educate their viewers on the subject
of violence. We live in a sensationalized society
thirsting and bent on sensationalism; it is sensationalism
that sells newspapers and draws record numbers of
viewers to movie theaters and television programs
in which violence is glorified.
Teenage violence is becoming a
national crisis. Some sections of the country are
beginning to talk about martial law and curfews
on youth. Some areas enforce curfews. Further, it
seems children and teenagers have no fear of consequences
for bad behavior. Students in grade school and high
school are beating teachers, stabbing and shooting
fellow students and sneaking guns into school. Surely
we can anticipate more future teenage violence and
the "runaway train" will continue to gain
speed into the next generations and beyond. Today's
angry youth are destined to become future child
abusers. God help us, we must stop that train, now!
Children are the victims of adult
anger, not adult inability to control anger, but
their unwillingness to change poor behavior. Behavior
is changeable. The innocent, trusting infant or
small child often becomes a target when there is
a domestic disagreement or an outside threatening
situation. Some adults' expectations of children
are far beyond a childs ability to respond. When
the child acts according to his/her age and does
not respond to the aggressive adults' expectations,
a spontaneous act of violence may occur. In the
172 cases previously mentioned, the child was alone
with an abusive adult when burned. Child abusers
know that what they are doing to an infant or child
is wrong and do not want any witnesses to their
bad behavior.
Many child protection programs
have failed to identify the basic root of child
abuse. Now children are being told to report their
parents or guardians to their teachers if they believe
they are being abused. Parents from all life styles
are now being threatened by their children when
they attempt to correct their childrens attitude
or behavior. Children are not small adults - they
are different, physiologically, biologically and
psychologically. Can children really ascertain the
difference between abuse and appropriate parental
discipline? Remember, Hitler invaded the minds of
children, twisting their minds and turning the children
against their parents, and he was successful. Could
the unthinkable happen in America? It already has.
Many parents today hesitate to discipline their
child for fear of being accused of child abuse.
Is all anger bad? No, anger is
a feeling, and adults and children need to deal
with feelings. It is reasonable to be angry when
aroused by injustice or something unworthy. The
assertive person thinks rationally, acts prudently,
feels constructively and stands up firmly for personal
convictions in a manner that respects anothers dignity
(see Andrew Savicky's, Ph.D. 1990 publication,
A World Without Tears). Fortunately,
most parents are able to recognize the potential
danger in a situation and take steps to remedy it.
Most parents have tales to tell of times when they
could have crossed the line and harmed a child.
If the equation had been weighted with more negative
factors, had the incident been just right, the outcome
could well have been different.
Violence is not new in our society;
however, violence against children when the parent(s)
is/are under emotionally stressful circumstances
can be identified with a measure of predictability.
Most parents are able to exhibit restraint, to walk
away when they are angry, or to stop short of striking
the child, thus sparing the child from becoming
an innocent target for violence.
Certain risk factors that appear
in abused children when one or both parents have
aggressive/passive personalities include the following:
unwanted pregnancy, premature birth, failure of
the infant to thrive, disappointment to parent(s)
(e.g., sex, birth defect, appearance), hyperactive
behavior, a "difficult" child, difficult
to nurture, special care needed for the "sickly"
child, economic burden, etc.
It is rare that the first act of
violence on a child is a thermal insult. The abused,
burned child has experienced other acts of violence:
excessive slapping, pinching, belt strap and/or
buckle on lower legs, arms and back and/or chest
areas, hair yanking, pin sticks and then the ultimate
most
painful - burning.
While the configuration of the
burn injury and the thermal source are important
when investigating suspicious burns, the history
of how the incident occurred is equally important.
A forensically supported conclusion must be attained
prior to judgement on the suspects character.
Medical professionals receive little
(if any) training in medical school to render a
professional opinion in a case of child abuse by
burning. The physicians in hospital emergency departments
or in burn units are often too pressed by time and
workload to make a judgement as to whether a burned
child was abused, neglected or the victim of an
accident. They rarely if ever have all the facts
needed to render a professional judgement. Further,
during the emergency stage, they are subject to
emotionally-packed stories, some second and third
hand. Once a doctor states "abuse" or
"suspicious," rarely is this opinion challenged.
The physician or nurse is expected
to know the answer and thus render an innate opinion
or the popular word "suspicious" is used
- a term which implies a factor of guilt. During
the initial treatment of a burn, many times a wrong
decision is made that has far-reaching repercussions
and devastating results. Families can become torn
apart, with the familys lifestyle disrupted and
some times damaged beyond repair.
The cost of investigating reported
suspicious incidents of child abuse/neglect, social
services, foster care for children, and subsequent
legal matters involving prosecutors, public defenders,
private attorneys, and the whole process of a trial
runs into hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
No price can be placed on a person wrongfully stigmatized,
falsely charged and tried as a child abuser. Even
if found innocent they will always be suspect in
the minds of others.
Children in growing numbers are
threatening to report their parents as child abusers
when a parent attempts to impose proper discipline.
A staff physician tells how his 8-year-old son was
watching too much television and his room was a
mess. The father instructed his son, "No TV
and I want to see your room straightened up when
I come home tonight." When the father arrived
home, the son was watching TV and the room was still
a mess. As he began to scold his son loudly, the
8-year-old jumped off the chair, pointed his finger
at his father and said, "Dad, if you continue
to holler at me, I will tell my teacher, and she
will call the police to arrest you for child abuse."
Little girls in school are being
told, "Dont sit on a mans lap if you feel uncomfortable."
What does that mean? When a small childs father
says, "Come, sit on Daddys lap and Ill read
you a story," how will she react? Will she
make excuses again and again and fear that some
terrible thing will happen to her if she sits on
a mans lap? What about grandad and Santa Claus,
they are men. Children have been lied to by adults;
consider the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, Santa
Claus, the Wicked Witch flying on a broomstick and
many other adult fantasies. As children mature they
learn that they have been lied to and lying becomes
an acceptable tool for them to use.
A single working mother was having
a problem with her 11-year-old son. He was hanging
out with older boys and using vulgar language. She
grounded him and hid their portable TV. He failed
to come home after school. The mother was frantic
waiting for him. Finally, around 10:30 p.m. he arrived
home in a car and sneaked into the dark apartment.
The mother started to scold him. He responded
by calling her vulgar names. She took his pants
down and gave him two "whacks" with a
belt and sent him to bed. The next day two police
officers came to her place of work and placed her
under arrest. She was charged with child abuse and
jailed.
A young father hated to change
his 3-month-old daughters diapers. One morning while
his wife was at work, as he was removing the babys
diaper, she began to cry. The father put the baby
in the kitchen sink and turned on the hot water
to wash off the babys bottom. Knowing the water
was too hot, he used the sprayer located at the
kitchen sink and burned the babys buttocks and groin
area. The baby received deep second degree burns.
The incident was termed accidental according to
attending physicians. Eight years later, this father
was suspected of sexually abusing the same child.
He was known to have a violent temper. The case
against him for burning his baby daughter was re-opened
and he was found guilty of child abuse by burning.
The following data (from the National
Child Abuse Protection Agency) demonstrates the
national annual reported suspected child abuse cases:
1960 64,000 cases of suspected
child abuse reported in the U.S.
1970 72,000 cases reported.
1975 Law changed to
protect accusers from civil suit.
1980 1,100,000 cases reported,
15 times the number reported in 1970.
1990 2,400,000 cases reported.
33 times the number reported in 1970.
1993 3,000,000 cases reported.
42 times the number reported in 1970.
1996 4,000,000 estimated cases
(final number not available).
1997 It is estimated that the number
of reported cases of child abuse will likely double
by 1999.
Anger can cause conflict and conflict
is a normal part of close relationships. Anger can
provide an opportunity for a better understanding
of another person. When someone cares enough to
take the time to resolve a conflict, that person
demonstrates caring. Conflicts can occur because
of the differences between individuals. Relationships
do not have to be destroyed because of
those differences. Rather, recognizing the differences
and viewing them in mature, responsible,
positive ways instead of being fearful or unwilling
to work through differences gives credence to the
positive side of anger. Every person must learn
to recognize the positive and negative effects of
anger. Few people take the time to observe their
actions when under stress or when their behavior
is openly challenged. Road rage is an example of
an aggressive person's spontaneous act of anger,
to strike out and assert dominance over another
driver.
Ideally, good anger was a sense
given to an individual as a tool to condemn
injustice and help build relationships. In
pure form, anger is an emotional signal
that alerts a person that something needs to
be changed. It obviously was intended to be a positive
motivator to be used in giving one another feedback
about how life can be lived more productively. Bad
behavior must be understood and realized that it
has consequences. Bad behavior can be changed...
it must be changed, or there can be no hope for
a more socially civilized society in the future.
To do nothing but complain about "kids today"
will surely leave them unprepared to respond to
the challenges the future will bring.
The failure of society, teaching
institutions and government leadership to aggressively
address the "root" cause of adult and
youth violence will assure the "runaway train"
will continue on its journey, leaving a trail of
death, disfigurement and emotional scars lasting
a life-time.
Pre-teens on a shooting spree kill
classmates and a teacher. A 12 year-old is charged
with sexually assaulting an 11 year-old girl in
school. Children are threatening to report their
parent(s) as child abusers when the parents attempt
to appropriately discipline them. Time is running
out.
It is foreseeable that violence
by children on other children, teenage violence
on their parents, teachers, schoolmates and even
strangers will continue like the runaway train in
reporting child abuse, failing to heed the children's
cry for help. Societys leadership has failed
Americas children. Society will pay a staggering
price for its "failure to lead" in teaching
children that bad behavior has consequences. It
seems that no one today wants to take responsibility
for their acts and/or omission of acts but blames
the "system" or someone else for their
indiscretions.
Anger Management programs, which
offer assistance for habitually angry adults, are
becoming a growing resource for adults who need
treatment for aggressive personality traits. Road
rage drivers, male and female alike, may receive
tickets for being overly aggressive with their vehicles.
Instead of fines they will have to attend Anger
Management programs. This is only a beginning but
it focuses on adults already addicted to bad behavior.
Unfortunately, we are a crisis response society
and fall short on innovation solutions of preventative
methodologies to teach children in schools, churches
and in the home that bad anger is an unacceptable
trait in a civilized society.
©1998 by The
American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress,
Inc. |
