Detecting and analyzing violence against minors is a complicated task, and there are no exact figures anywhere in the world. That's why we talk about the figures of hidden child abuse, that violence towards children that many children are supposed to be suffering without anyone knowing about it, except the abusers and their accomplices.
In Spain, it is estimated that between five and 15 children in 1,000 suffer abuse, although only 10% to 20% of the total cases are detected, according to data from the Spanish Society of Pediatric Emergencies (SEUP). In other words, between eight and nine cases of child abuse of every ten are not detected in Spain.
These are the same estimates made by the Spanish Society of Outpatient Pediatrics and Primary Care (SEPEAP) and the Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatrics (AEPap). Both entities indicate this, based on different studies.
The estimated prevalence of child abuse in the different autonomous communities ranges from five, 15 and 19 cases per 10,000 children. In the case of bullying or bullying, the figure amounts to 17%. In addition, abused children tend to perpetuate violence and transfer it to the workplace and family.
In addition, given that the economic crisis increases the abuse of children, these figures will probably have to be added cases. A study that had measured the rates of child abuse in several US hospitals since the boom times has found an alarming association between the outbreak of the crisis and an increase in the number of brain injuries caused by abuse.
It's hard to talk about it, but there are frequent signs of child abuse: bruises, so common in children, are the most frequent sign, along with bites, burns and traumatic alopecia, in addition to severe dermatitis, xerosis (dryness of body mucous membranes), poor hygiene and frequent pediculosis.
In this or at any time it is important that society detects these signals and is sensitive to this issue, often forgotten, often silenced. Health and teaching staff must also be trained to detect cases of risk, susceptible to support and monitoring from social services.
Knowing these figures of hidden child abuse We understand why it is so complicated to get data that accurately reflects reality. And above all we understand how necessary a change in attitude of many parents towards the most defenseless.
