Child Molesters, Child Abuse Effects: Bulimia, Eating Disorders, Addictions

Enriquez's boyfriend at the time, Angel Garcia-Miranda, 22, awaits trial in the Muscatine County Jail after being charged with first-degree murder and willful injury.

According to the Iowa Department of Human Services, Muscatine County ranked 12th among Iowa's 99 counties in confirmed cases of child abuse with 343 cases in 2003.

The reason for the county's higher numbers isn't clear. However, one thing is certain: the effects of the abuse don't end when the abuse stops. Society also pays a price for the mistreatment of our nation's youngest residents.

Effects on the child

How and how much young children remember about incidents of violence is not easy to determine because children don't always have the capacity to articulate or communicate their feelings.

"It varies by child," said Rachel Riley-Smock, program supervisor of the Sexual Assault Domestic Abuse Advocacy Program and Domestic Abuse Advocacy Shelter. "Some people have memories of when they are 3 years old, others repress those memories."

But witnessing abuse impacts a child of any age.

"Small children are very aware of tension and constant uneasiness," said Riley-Smock. "And they are very responsive to the emotions of others."

Children who have experienced domestic violence respond in a variety of ways as time goes by.

"What we talk about in domestic violence is post-traumatic stress," said Riley-Smock, who has been working with the victims of abuse for 16 years. "The stress that comes from living in a war zone."

Riley-Smock said children who have been exposed to domestic violence tend to be on guard and constantly vigilant as to what may happen, whether they were physically or emotionally abused.

"Some become withdrawn and don't speak," said Riley-Smock. "There's a lot of shame associated with domestic violence."

Emotions that can arise from witnessing acts of abuse include a sense of guilt, because the child could not stop the act. Other children may wonder why they survived when a sibling did not, Riley-Smock said.

"Some children don't sleep well, they may have learning problems and some kids act out," said Riley-Smock.

Child abuse and crime

The long-term effects of child abuse can take on many forms, including an increased risk of becoming involved in criminal activity as a teen.

Prevent Child Abuse Iowa officials refer to a 1996 study using juvenile and criminal court records from a Midwestern city. The study compared 908 children who were abused from 1967-71 to 667 children from that same city who had not been abused.

Criminal records of the two groups in both 1988 and 1994 showed 27 percent of abused children were arrested for juvenile offenses, compared to 17 percent of the children who had not been abused.

The financial costs

Not only does child abuse and domestic violence harm young victims, research shows an economic impact that affects most Americans

According to a 2001 report from Prevent Child Abuse America, agencies in the United States spends about $94 billion annually in response to child abuse, which amounts to $1,461.66 per family per year and about $258 million each day.

That report, based on information provided by the U.S. Census Bureau and the federal departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, and others, also estimates the U.S. spends more than $24.3 billion annually on the direct effects of child abuse, with $14 billion going to the child welfare system.

Hope in the numbers?

Although Muscatine County has a high proportion of child abuse reported compared to most other Iowa counties, the numbers may reveal some hopeful news.

Stephen Scott, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, said officials have looked at the poverty rate and the number of people who use methamphetamine and didn't find either of these sub groups to have high enough numbers to account for the relatively high number of reported and confirmed cases of child abuse.

Scott said the high rate could be a reflection of the number of people willing to report suspected cases of abuse. Scott said Muscatine-area residents may feel more of a connectedness with their community and believe something will be done if they do make a report.

"One reason is the agency itself," said Scott, referring to the DHS. "They may be seen as more responsive and people may report abuse more often." Scott said local law-enforcement agencies are also key in gaining the public's confidence when it comes to believing there will be a response to reports.

"I'd like to think all the work we've done on awareness has led to more people reporting domestic violence," said Riley-Smock. "People know there is help out there and the local law-enforcement agencies will respond."

Scott said most cases of abuse are linked to neglect and about 13 to 14 percent of reports refer to physical abuse.

How to help

Scott said there are more ways people can make their communities safer for children.

"Let's say a next-door neighbor seems stressed with the role of parenting," said Scott. "Offering a listening ear or shoulder to lean on can be as important as a call later on."

When physical violence is observed or a child appears to have been assaulted, these instances should be reported, Scott said.

Riley-Smock said it's important to remember that domestic violence can occur in any home.

"It can happen to anyone of any religion, age or sexual orientation," said Riley-Smock. "It happens to the strongest and most intelligent women. Unfortunately, the children are always the ones who suffer."

Contact Cynthia Beaudette at:563-263-2331 Ext. 323 orcynthia.beaudette@muscatinejournal.com

Details

A list of resources and contacts in the Louisa and Muscatine County area for prevention and reporting of child abuse:

Prevent Child Abuse Iowa: 800-237-1815

Family Resources Crisis Hotline: 563-288-0220

Department of Human Services, Muscatine County: 563-263-9302

Department of Human Services, Louisa County 319-754-4622 (or toll free 1-800-423-4724 to Des Moines County DHS or call Muscatine County DHS)

Healthy Families, referral information: 1-800-369-2229

Suspected child abuse can be reported by calling 1-800-362-2178