Title: Causes of Child Abuse: Why Some Adults Hurt Children
Headings: Understanding the Causes of Child Abuse
Understanding the Causes of Child Abuse
Why some people hurt children
What increases a person’s risk for abusing a child?
What to do if you’re afraid you might hurt a child
Resources to prevent child abuse
What to do if you suspect a child is being hurt
How to report child abuse
What is child abuse?
5 categories of child abuse
The facts of child abuse
Facts about child abuse
Consequences of abuse during childhood
How to spot the signs of child abuse
Signs of child abuse or neglect
You can help stop the cycle

Content: history of child abuse or neglect during their own childhood
having a substance use disorder
physical or mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
poor parent-child relationships
socioeconomic stress from financial issues, unemployment, or medical problems
a lack of understanding about basic childhood development (expecting children to be capable of tasks before they’re ready)
a lack of parenting skills to help cope with the pressures and struggles of raising a child
a lack of support from family members, friends, neighbors, or the community
caring for a child with intellectual or physical disabilities that make adequate care more challenging
family stress or crisis caused by domestic violence, relationship turmoil, separation, or divorce
personal mental health issues, including low self-confidence and feelings of incompetence or shame
What to do if you’re afraid you might hurt a child
Being a parent can be a joyful, meaningful, and sometimes overwhelming experience. There may be times your children push you to the limit. You may feel driven to behaviors you wouldn’t normally think you were capable of. The first step to prevent child abuse is recognizing the feelings you’re having. If you’re afraid you might abuse your child, you’ve already reached that important milestone. Now is the time to take steps to prevent any abuse. First, remove yourself from the situation. Don’t respond to your child during this moment of anger or rage. Walk away. Then, use one of these resources to find ways to navigate your feelings, emotions, and the steps that are necessary to handle the situation.