Child Abuse in Mexico and in the U.S.
Angie Cruz
Global Practice II: Child & Family
Dr. Lindsey
March 18, 2013
Approach Children are among the world’s most vulnerable population. They depend on the world around them for protection, stimulation, nurturing, and a safe environment to thrive in and one day become productive adults of that world. It is this same world that bears witness to millions of child abuse incidents every year. Depending on what part of that world the child calls home, determines what actions are taken to address the maltreatment they underwent including support for the child and legal repercussions for the perpetrators.
Child abuse is a world wide epidemic and to the surprise of many, it exists heavily in both industrialized nations and underdeveloped countries. The United States has the most alarming statistics as an industrialized nation: 6 million children are involved in child abuse reports every year and nearly five children are lost every day in a child abuse related death. Not too far from this statistic or by geography is Mexico, our neighboring country, where child abuse accounts for nearly 3,500 of deaths every year (Child Help National Child Abuse Hotline).
Need
In the United States, there is a system in place, supported at the federal and state level, to offer services to children and families involved in child abuse and neglect. Concurrently, the legal system criminally charges acts of child abuse. In Mexico, child abuse and neglect stands on a blurry line as, culturally, some types of corporal punishment and children independence (lack of supervision) is almost acceptable. However, child abuse is still an illegal act in Mexico and laws of child labor, sex trafficking, physical abuse, and neglect are beginning to strive for national attention. Like the U.S., Mexico’s child abuse laws are supported at a federal and state level. However, unlike the U.S. where each state holds its own child abuse laws and services, Mexico’s 31 states also harbor their own
Global Practice II: Child & Family
Dr. Lindsey
March 18, 2013
Approach Children are among the world’s most vulnerable population. They depend on the world around them for protection, stimulation, nurturing, and a safe environment to thrive in and one day become productive adults of that world. It is this same world that bears witness to millions of child abuse incidents every year. Depending on what part of that world the child calls home, determines what actions are taken to address the maltreatment they underwent including support for the child and legal repercussions for the perpetrators.
Child abuse is a world wide epidemic and to the surprise of many, it exists heavily in both industrialized nations and underdeveloped countries. The United States has the most alarming statistics as an industrialized nation: 6 million children are involved in child abuse reports every year and nearly five children are lost every day in a child abuse related death. Not too far from this statistic or by geography is Mexico, our neighboring country, where child abuse accounts for nearly 3,500 of deaths every year (Child Help National Child Abuse Hotline).
Need
In the United States, there is a system in place, supported at the federal and state level, to offer services to children and families involved in child abuse and neglect. Concurrently, the legal system criminally charges acts of child abuse. In Mexico, child abuse and neglect stands on a blurry line as, culturally, some types of corporal punishment and children independence (lack of supervision) is almost acceptable. However, child abuse is still an illegal act in Mexico and laws of child labor, sex trafficking, physical abuse, and neglect are beginning to strive for national attention. Like the U.S., Mexico’s child abuse laws are supported at a federal and state level. However, unlike the U.S. where each state holds its own child abuse laws and services, Mexico’s 31 states also harbor their own
References: California Department of Social Services. (n.d.). Retrieved March 1, 2013 from Child Protective Services Web site: http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/cdssweb/pg93.htm Child Help National Child Abuse Hotline. (n.d.). Retrieved March 1, 2013 from National Child Abuse Statistics Web site: http://www.childhelp.org/pages/statistics DIF Nacional. (n.d.). Retrieved March 1, 2013 from Servicios Web site: http://sn.dif.gob.mx/servicios/ Library of Congress. (n.d.). Retrieved March 1, 2013 from Children’s Rights: Mexico Web site: http://www.loc.gov/law/help/child-rights/mexico.php National Association of Social Workers. (n.d.). Retrieved March 1, 2013 from Code of Ethics Web site: http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/default.asp UNICEF. (n.d.). Retrieved March 1, 2013 from Proteccion infantil en Mexico Web site: http://www.unicef.org/mexico/spanish/proteccion_3603.htm Villagran, L. (2013, February 20). Curbing child abuse in Mexico. Christian Science Monitor