Oprah Winfrey and Government leaders seek prevention for child abuse
Last week a very powerful and emotional topic was discussed on a new episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show. The subject of this episode was child abuse and the affects that abuse has on male victims in particular. The show offered an inside look into how victims of abuse can cope with what happened to them and how they can help other abuse victims. This episode of The Oprah Show was informative because it highlighted a difficult topic that can have devastating societal effects.
For well over twenty years, Oprah Winfrey has been an advocate for the rights of children. She was instrumental in the passage of the National Child Protection Act of 1991 – which created a national database of convicted child abusers. In an episode of her show that aired on Monday, September 15, 2008, Winfrey encouraged her audience to support the Protect Our Children Act, U.S. Senate Bill 1738. During this episode, Winfrey explained to her viewers the pervasiveness of child pornography in America, particularly on the internet.
The effects of child abuse have led to the establishment of governmental legislation to protect the welfare of children. In 1974, the first Federal child protection legislation – the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) was passed. Following this legislation, the U.S. House and Senate declared that the week of June 6 – June 12, 1982 would be designated as the first National Child Abuse Prevention Week. In 1983, the first National Child Abuse Prevention Month was proclaimed.
The necessity for child protection laws and programs continues into the 21st century. On April 1, 2010, in a proclamation for National Child Abuse Prevention Month, President Barack Obama said: “Every child deserves a nurturing family and a safe environment, free from fear, abuse, and neglect. Tragically, sexual, emotional, and physical abuse threaten too many children every day in communities across our Nation. Parents, guardians, relatives, and neighbors all share a responsibility to prevent these devastating crimes, and our government plays a critical role as well.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) child abuse (maltreatment) is a major public health problem in the United States. There are four common types of abuse: Physical abuse, Sexual abuse, Emotional abuse, and Neglect. In 2007, Child Protective Services confirmed that 772,000 children were abused or neglected. However, this number does not grasp the entire scope of the problem. Most cases of child maltreatment are not reported to the police or social services, according to the CDC. 1,740 children died in the U.S. from abuse or neglect in 2008.
Child maltreatment can lead to several short-term and long-term problems. Child abuse victims can suffer from anxiety, bruises, burns, broken bones, cuts, and depression. Prolonged abuse negatively affects cognitive development and can potentially cause chronic ailments later in life.
The episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show about child abuse is a stern reminder that Americans should be vigilant against child maltreatment and neglect of any kind. It will take governmental legislation, parents, community leaders, teachers, and concerned citizens to fight against injustices towards children. Those who abuse their power to hurt children should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Young people represent the future and in order to ensure a positive future the well-being of children should be given adequate attention. For more information regarding child abuse visit: www.ChildWelfare.gov/Parenting.
For well over twenty years, Oprah Winfrey has been an advocate for the rights of children. She was instrumental in the passage of the National Child Protection Act of 1991 – which created a national database of convicted child abusers. In an episode of her show that aired on Monday, September 15, 2008, Winfrey encouraged her audience to support the Protect Our Children Act, U.S. Senate Bill 1738. During this episode, Winfrey explained to her viewers the pervasiveness of child pornography in America, particularly on the internet.
The effects of child abuse have led to the establishment of governmental legislation to protect the welfare of children. In 1974, the first Federal child protection legislation – the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) was passed. Following this legislation, the U.S. House and Senate declared that the week of June 6 – June 12, 1982 would be designated as the first National Child Abuse Prevention Week. In 1983, the first National Child Abuse Prevention Month was proclaimed.
The necessity for child protection laws and programs continues into the 21st century. On April 1, 2010, in a proclamation for National Child Abuse Prevention Month, President Barack Obama said: “Every child deserves a nurturing family and a safe environment, free from fear, abuse, and neglect. Tragically, sexual, emotional, and physical abuse threaten too many children every day in communities across our Nation. Parents, guardians, relatives, and neighbors all share a responsibility to prevent these devastating crimes, and our government plays a critical role as well.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) child abuse (maltreatment) is a major public health problem in the United States. There are four common types of abuse: Physical abuse, Sexual abuse, Emotional abuse, and Neglect. In 2007, Child Protective Services confirmed that 772,000 children were abused or neglected. However, this number does not grasp the entire scope of the problem. Most cases of child maltreatment are not reported to the police or social services, according to the CDC. 1,740 children died in the U.S. from abuse or neglect in 2008.
Child maltreatment can lead to several short-term and long-term problems. Child abuse victims can suffer from anxiety, bruises, burns, broken bones, cuts, and depression. Prolonged abuse negatively affects cognitive development and can potentially cause chronic ailments later in life.
The episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show about child abuse is a stern reminder that Americans should be vigilant against child maltreatment and neglect of any kind. It will take governmental legislation, parents, community leaders, teachers, and concerned citizens to fight against injustices towards children. Those who abuse their power to hurt children should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Young people represent the future and in order to ensure a positive future the well-being of children should be given adequate attention. For more information regarding child abuse visit: www.ChildWelfare.gov/Parenting.
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