CHILD ABUSE
Chapter 23 of the Illinois Revised Statutes was enacted to specifically safeguard children from abuse and neglect. Definitions found in this law include:
A "child", under the law, is any person under the age of 18 years, unless legally emancipated by reason of marriage or entry into a branch of the United States
armed services.
"Abused child" is a child who is abused by a parent, immediate family member, any person responsible for the child's welfare, any individual residing in the same home as the child, or paramour of the child's parent.
A person is guilty of child abuse when he or she inflicts physical abuse upon a child which causes death, disfigurement, impairment of physical or emotional health, or loss or impairment of any
bodily function.
A person who does not actually inflict the abuse but merely causes or allows the physical abuse to be inflicted to a child is also guilty of abuse.
A person who creates a substantial risk of physical injury to a child is also guilty of child abuse. All the above applies to situations other than accidental means.
Other circumstances in which a person is guilty of child abuse include:
Committing, or allowing to be committed, any sex offense against a child, (sex offenses against persons under 18 years of age are defined in the Criminal Code of 1961);
Committing, or allowing to be committed, acts of torture upon a child; and
Inflicting excessive corporal punishment.
NEGLECTED CHILD
What is a neglected child?
Under the law, it is any child whose parent, or other person responsible for the child's welfare, withholds or denies nourishment or medical treatment. This includes:
Failure to provide proper or necessary support or education as required by law;
Withholding medical or other remedial care recognized under state law as necessary for a child's well-being;
The denial of any care necessary for the child's well-being including adequate food, clothing and shelter;
Withholding any treatment, including food, for a child's present or anticipated mental or physical impairment as determined by a physician; and
Abandonment of a child.
People who assume temporary responsibility for care of a child — such as baby sitters, the mother's boyfriend, legal guardians, or anyone responsible for the child's welfare receiving residential care at an Institution — are also covered by the law.
The CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE is (800) 25 ABUSE or (800) 252-2873, toll free, 24 hours. Care enough to call.
FOUR TYPES OF ABUSE
Physical abuse is the infliction of physical injury, by other than accidental means, which causes death, disfigurement, impairment of physical or emotional health or loss or impairment of any bodily function.
Sexual abuse can be any act from touching and fondling a child to sexual intercourse. The abuser seeks gratification and may force, coerce or deceive the child into participation.
Emotional — psychological abuse develops when an adult continually belittles the child with verbal accusations such as telling the child over and over that he/she is stupid, dumb, can't do anything or is just plain useless; not showing or telling the child you love him or her.
Child neglect is not providing for the child's welfare, necessary support, education, medical attention, adequate food, proper clothing and shelter or child abandonment.
The PARENTS IN STRESS HOTLINE is (312) 3 PARENT. Please call at any time.
IF YOU ARE AN ABUSER, the police ask that you get help before it's too late. The police are concerned for you and the well being of the abused child.
IF YOU ARE ABUSED, please seek help. It's not your fault! You need to talk to someone about it as soon as possible, before it's too late. The abuse can be stopped.
Statistics vary but most agree, approximately one million American children suffer from child abuse and 2,000 of these children die from the abuse.
85 percent of sexually abused children know their abuser.
85 percent of those who abuse their children were
abused when they were children.
85 percent of runaways have been molested in the home
— but not necessarily by a family member.
Age 4: average age when sexual abuse starts.
Age 9: average age of sexual intercourse child abuse.
MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
A major goal of the Chicago Police Department is the reduction and prevention of the heinous crime of child abuse. Educating parents, children, and the public can make a difference and assist in the reduction of child abuse in our city. With your cooperation, the Police Department can provide greater and more effective service to the victims of child abuse and ultimately to all citizens of Chicago.
I ask all persons to get involved to alleviate this tragedy. If anyone has knowledge that a child is being abused, you must call the Chicago Police Department or the toll free number and report the crime immediately — DON'T WAIT! Call 1-800-25 ABUSE. The TDD number is (217) 524-7569, toll call. |
