Drugs
What is a drug?
A medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body.
What is domestic violence?
Violent or aggressive behavior within the home, typically involving the violent abuse of a spouse or partner.
What is child abuse?
Physical maltreatment or sexual molestation of a child.
What is CPS?
CPS stands for Child Protective Services. They are responsible for investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect.
How does drug addiction impact the addicted person?
Weakened immune system, heart problems, collapsed veins, nausea, liver damage, stroke, brain damage and alterations, problems with memory or decision-making, lung cancer. It also impacts a person's relationships since the addiction can override the person's ability to meet their own basic needs or the needs of the people around them.
What are some examples of domestic violence?
Hitting, throwing things, pulling hair, pushing, kicking, strangling, using verbal attacks, manipulating someone's emotions or life, threats, brandishing a weapon, any attack with a weapon, etc.
What is child neglect?
Child neglect is a form of abuse, an egregious behavior of caregivers that results in depriving a child of their basic needs, such as the failure to provide adequate supervision, health care, clothing, or housing, as well as other physical, emotional, social, educational, and safety needs.
What does CPS look for when investigating a report of abuse or neglect?
Someone first must make a report to CPS of suspected child abuse or neglect. This is then investigated by a CPS worker that looks for evidence of physical abuse or neglect by visiting with the family and assessing the home, parent's explanation for the suspected abuse or neglect, child's physical wellbeing, and for proper or improper supervision for future safety.
19.7 Million Americans 12 and older struggle with a drug addition.
Why does domestic violence happen?
It is rooted in the power and control of the abuser, and their belief that they are in the "right" when inflicting the abuse to achieve their own needs. The victim is never at fault.
What are some reasons a parent may neglect or abuse a child?
Parents tend to abuse or neglect children due to issues they are having themselves. They may be stressed, angry, isolated, struggling with addiction, or leave children unattended due to financial insecurity. However, sometimes the abuse or neglect is intentional to serve as a punishment or to make the parent feel powerful.
What does CPS's charge of improper supervision mean?
Placing the child in, or failing to remove the child from, a situation that a reasonable person would realize requires judgment or actions beyond the child's level of maturity, physical condition, or mental abilities and that results in harm or threatened harm to the child.
How common are drug overdoses?
More than 70,000 Americans died from drug-involved overdose in 2019, including illicit drugs and prescription opioids
Why do you think someone would be in a relationship with an abuser?
Usually the abuser slowly grooms their partner for abuse so the victim is desensitized to the way they are treated over time. The victim also typically loves the abuser since they have a shared history and have also shared positive memories. It is not uncommon for the victim to want to help the abuser to "recover". The abuser also may threaten to hurt the victim or someone they love if the victim tries to leave.
How do you think a child who has been abused or neglected by a parent or caregiver feels about their parent?
Children are biologically trained to love their parents and to seek safety and stability with them from an early age. When abuse or neglect happens the child will often blame themselves, thinking they did someone wrong, instead of blaming the parent. They may experience fear and hatred, but also desire to be with their parent or protect them.
Simply put, child neglect occurs when a person harms or threatens to harm a child. In addition, the harm comes from neglecting the child or putting a child at risk of harm. This can include failing to provide for your child or failing to intervene when someone else is harming your child.