Introduction

Child abuse is doing something or lacking to do something that results in harm to a

child or puts a child at danger of harm. Child abuse can be physical, sexual or sensitively.
Neglect, or not providing for a child's wants, is also a form of abuse.

Most abused children suffer more emotional than physical harm. An abused child may
become unhappy. He or she may withdraw, think of suicide or become fierce. An older child
may take drugs or alcohol, try to run away or mistreat others. Violence disturbs children's
physical and mental health, impairs their talent to learn and socialize, and undermines their
progress as functional adults and good parents later in life. In the most severe cases, violence
against children can also lead to death.

Like in most countries, only risky child abuse and neglect cases are recounted in
Malaysia, often involving awful elements of disturbing injuries, sexual abuse or even death.
International understanding suggests that reported cases are likely to symbolize only 10 per
cent of total cases committed as most victims and their families remain too embarrassed or
unable to report the violations against them.

Different people have different views or perspective towards certain matter based on
the experience and knowledge they have. This is because different background , living
environment and mindset also will affect the answers provided by the respondents. Hence , a
survey is carried out among the students of UCSI University.

A sample of 52 students have been chosen randomly to answer the questionnaire

prepared. The targeted respondents are mostly aged from 18 to 23. This is to ensure the
sample selected from the population is more consistent towards a specific group of people. As
a conclusion , the objective of this survey are to investigate the people`s awareness on child
abuse and the steps that can be taken to overcome this problem.

1
TITLE : Child Abuse In Community
OBJECTIVE : i) To investigate people`s awareness on Child Abuse in today`s society
ii) To figure out the steps that can be taken in order to overcome this
issue

GENDER MALE / FEMALE

AGE

COURSE

Yes / No

NO QUESTIONS YES NO

Do you know whether child abuse do exist in our

1 community?

There is not a cookie cutter model that tells you who will
2 abuse children or what types of children will be abused.

Child abuse can have not only physical but emotional effects
3 on a childs life.

Even if the injury was not intended, the act is still considered
4 physical abuse.

When children are abused , do you think they will become

5 abusers as adults?

2
Multiple choice question

6. Why do you think only a number of cases of child abuse have been publicised in the
media?

a) There are so many cases only high profile cases are publicised
b) Its a serious issue and people would rather be kept in the dark about it
c) There are other issues more important than child abuse
d) None of the above

7. Why do you think adults are 'too afraid' to report child abuse concerns?

a) because they are frightened of repercussions or it may cause them trouble.

b) lack of proof prevented them from doing anything
c) they did not think they had enough information about who to ask for help.

8. Why do you think the children who are abused are alson 'too afraid' to report to
local authorities?
a) Children are usually abused by those who are stronger and more powerful, so
reporting can be terrifying.
b) Children fear they will suffer negative consequences such as being blamed for
"seducing" or being accused of lying
c) Abusive adults many threaten the child that if they divulge the "secret", their
loved one will be harmed or themselves.
d) Children are usually abused by those who are stronger and more powerful, so
reporting can be terrifying.

9. If you were worried about a child or knew they were abused what would you
do?

a) Report to the local police

b) Advice the person who is abusing a child
c) Just ignore them

10. Do you think people who know children are being abused that do not report it
should also be blamed?
a) Yes
b) No
c) None of their business

3
 d) They as well might be an abuser
Ranking ( 1- Strongly disagree 2-Disagree 3-Neutral 4-Agree 5-Strongly agree

QUESTIONS 1 2 3 4 5

1 More volunteers / social workers in

the community will help decrease
child abuse.

2 Harsher laws against anyone who

abuses a child will decrease child
abuse.

3 Education about the adoption and

foster care to parents win
decreasing child abuse.

4 Lodging a report to the state`s child

protective services department or to
local police if you witness a child
being harmed or abused.

5 Support prevention programs such

as family counselling to stop the
abuse before it happens.

4
 TALLY

1) Do you know whether child abuse do exist in our community?

Tally Frequency
Yes |||| |||| |||| |||| |||| |||| |||| |||| |||| ||| 48
No |||| 4

2) There is not a cookie cutter model that tells you who will abuse children or what types of
children will be abused.

Tally Frequency
Yes |||| |||| |||| |||| |||| | 26
No |||| |||| |||| |||| |||| | 26

3) Child abuse can have not only physical but emotional effects on a childs life.

Tally Frequency
Yes |||| |||| |||| |||| |||| |||| |||| |||| ||| 43
No |||| |||| 9

4) Even if the injury was not intended, the act is still considered physical abuse.

Tally Frequency
Yes |||| |||| |||| |||| |||| |||| ||| 33
No |||| |||| |||| |||| 19

5) When children are abused , do you think they will become abusers as adults?

Tally Frequency
Yes |||| |||| |||| |||| |||| |||| ||| 41
No |||| |||| |||| |||| 11

5
 Multiple choice question

6) Why do you think only a number of cases of child abuse have been publicised in the
media?

Tally Frequency
A |||| |||| |||| | 16
B |||| |||| | 11
C |||| |||| 10
D |||| |||| |||| 15

7) Why do you think adults are 'too afraid' to report child abuse concerns?

Tally Frequency
A |||| |||| |||| |||| ||| 23
B |||| |||| |||| ||| 18
C |||| |||| | 11

8) Why do you think the children who are abused are alson 'too afraid' to report to local
authorities?

Tally Frequency
A |||| |||| |||| |||| |||| 25
B |||| |||| | 11
C |||| |||| || 12
D |||| 4

9) If you were worried about a child or knew they were abused what would you do?

Tally Frequency
A |||| |||| |||| |||| ||| 23
B |||| |||| |||| | 16
C |||| |||| ||| 13

10) Do you think people who know children are being abused that do not report it should
also be blamed?

Tally Frequency
A |||| |||| |||| |||| | 21

6
 B |||| |||| ||| 13
C |||| 4
D |||| |||| |||| 14
Ranking ( 1- Strongly disagree 2-Disagree 3-Neutral 4-Agree 5-Strongly agree

11) More volunteers / social workers in the community will help decrease child abuse.

Tally Frequency
1 0
2 | 1
3 |||| |||| |||| || 17
4 |||| |||| |||| | 16
5 |||| |||| |||| ||| 18

12) Harsher laws against anyone who abuses a child will decrease child abuse.

Tally Frequency
1 0
2 | 1
3 |||| |||| 9
4 |||| |||| |||| |||| |||| | 26
5 |||| |||| |||| | 16

13) Education about the adoption and foster care to parents win decreasing child abuse.

Tally Frequency
1 0
2 | 0
3 |||| |||| | 11
4 |||| |||| |||| |||| |||| 25
5 |||| |||| |||| | 16

14) Lodging a report to the state`s child protective services department or to local police if
you witness a child being harmed or abused.

Tally Frequency
1 0
2 | 0
3 |||| | 6
4 |||| |||| |||| |||| ||| 23
5 |||| |||| |||| |||| ||| 23

7
15) Support prevention programs such as family counselling to stop the abuse
before it happens.

Tally Frequency
1 0
2 | 0
3 |||| |||| 9
4 |||| |||| |||| | 16
5 |||| |||| |||| |||| |||| || 27

8
 Do you know whether child abuse do exist in our community?

8%

Yes No

92%

1) Conclusion

According to the pie chart above , out of 52 people , 48 people are aware of the fact that child
abuse do exist in our community while 4 of them are not. It can be further explained that 92%
of the 52 respondents agreed that they are conscious about this child abuse issue whereas the
remaining 8% of the 52 respondents are left behind from the latest global issues. This shows
that majority of the people are really concerned about what is happening around them and
it`s something that we should proud of. But at the same time , there are some people who
didn`t give a care on the latest global issues that is happening around them. This is mainly
because people nowadays are being too lazy to read newspapers and keep themselves
updated.

9
2) Conclusion

By looking at the histogram graph above , we can conclude that half of the respondents chose
yes and other half of the respondents chose no. Actually there is no any cookie-cutter model
that shows who will abuse the children and what type of children will get abused. But , we all
are aware of the fact that most of the children are being abused by their own parents followed
by the others. Furthermore , based on the information found , it is stated that children who are
aged between 0 months 6 years are being abused the most compared to the others. Although
there is no any template that proves this statement , but we can come to a conclusion that kids

10
are being abused the most by their own parents.

There is not a cookie cutter model that tells you who will abuse children or what types of children will be abused.
30

25

20

15

10

0
Yes No

11
3) Conclusion

Based on the data collected , 83% of the respondents gave their point of view that child abuse
literally cause emotional effects on the child`s life beside leaving physical injuries in the
individual`s body. We totally agree with this face. Although the scars may not be visible to
the naked eye, emotional abuse wounds the spirit, frequently leaving its marks for a lifetime.
Victims of emotional abuse are "hit" every day with the power of words which are
demeaning, shaming, threatening, blaming, intimidating, unfairly critical or sarcastic in
nature. 17% of the respondents chose No as their answer. This probably because they might
not have heard or knew that child abuse do causes emotional effect on respective`s life.

Child abuse can have not only physical but emotional effects on a childs life.
50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

0
0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.2

12
4) Conclusion

Even if the injury was not intended, the act is still considered physical abuse.

No; 37%

Yes ; 63%

Yes No

From pie chart , 63% out of 100% which represents the majority think that even if the injury
was not intended, the act is still considered physical abuse. This shows that if injuries above
the "more than inconsequential" threshold occur, that is an indication of an excessive amount
or type of force being used and that any use of force carries some risk and the parent is
responsible, even if the injury was not intended. Thus, even if the act could be considered
acceptable physical discipline, if the injury resulting is more than inconsequential, then it
would constitute physical child abuse.

13
5) Conclusion

When children are abused, do you think they will become abusers as adults?

Yes 41

Choices of Answer

No 11

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

Frequency

Based on the bar chart shown above, out of 50 people agree that when children are abused,
they will become abusers as adults whereas 11 people think that when children are abused,
they will not become abusers. Based on the information found, one-third of people who are
abused in childhood will become abusers themselves. This is a lower percentage than many
experts had expected, but obviously poses a major social challenge. Victims of abuse
frequently respond to the trauma by denying that any abuse occurred or by blaming
themselves for the abuse, which they often view as justified discipline from adults. Abuse in
childhood increases the likelihood in adulthood of problems ranging from depression and
alcoholism to sexual maladjustment and multiple personality.

14
Why do you think only a number of cases of child abuse have been publicised in the media?
18

16
16
15

14

12
11
10
10
Frequency
8

0
A B C D

Choices of Answer

6) Conclusion

According to the survey that has been carried out, 16 respondents chose A as their option.
They think that there are so many cases only high profile cases are publicised cause only a
number of cases of child abuse have been publicised in the media. This is shown that actually
people do not care about child abuse cases, unless it can be implicated with other bigger news
but also shows the indifference of society. Most of the cases were exposed to the media
simply because those whistle blowers exposure those child abuse cases is to achieve certain
purposes rather than their own responsibility and sense of justice.

15
Why do you think adults are 'too afraid' to report child abuse concerns?

0 5 10 15 20 25

7) Conclusion

From the chart above , 23 candidates answered A that they are frightened because of
repercussions or it may cause them trouble .While 18 candidates answered B , that lack of
prove prevented them from doing anything . 11 candidates answered C , they did not think
they had enough information about who to ask for help .Based on research , most of them
answered A because many that have report has trouble from the society and other people . If
they give false report or maybe they have no prove , then they might be punished . On the
other hand , 18 answered B because they dont have enough of prove to report about child
abuse . This might make them the wrong one . Lastly , 11 of the candidates answered C
because they are not aware of the people who can help them in this situation .

16
Why do you think the children who are abused are alson 'too afraid' to report to local authorities?

30

25

20

15

10

0
A B C D

8) Conclusion

Based on the area chart , 25 candidates answered A , children are usually abused by those
who are stronger and more powerful , so reporting can be terrifying .While 11 candidates
answered B , children fear they will suffer negative consequences such as being blamed for
seducing or being accused of lying .12 candidates answered C , abusive adults many threaten
the child that if they divulge the secret , their loved ones will be harmed or themselves. Based
on research , the tougher person abuse the children because they think the younger ones are
not strong or smart enough to voice out . On the other hand , 11 of the candidates answered B
because many among us choose to believe the elder ones instead of the younger ones .
Therefore , the children are scared to make a report because the fear nobody might trust
them . While 12 candidates answered C , because the elder ones who abuse the younger ones
tend the blackmail them with other stuff . Therefore this makes the children less confident .

17
9) Conclusion

Based on the pie chart , 23 candidates answered A , report to the local police .While 16
candidates answered B , advice the person who is abusing a child. 13 candidates answered C ,
just ignore them . Based on the research , 23 answered A because the police will handle this
matter better and save the children from being continuously abused. On the other hand , 16 of
them answered B is because they might have taught that it`s also better to give advice to
those who is abusing the children and as a result the abusers they probably stop abusing the
children before bringing that issue to the police. Sadly , there do exists people who totally
ignore the poor child being abused. This is maybe because they don`t want themselves to be
gotten into the hot soup while trying to help the children.

If you were worried about a child or knew they were abused what would you do?

A B C

18
10)

Do you think people who know children are being abused that do not report it should also be blamed?
25

20

15

Frequency

10 21

13 14
5

4
0
A B C D

Choices of Answer

Conclusion

The column graph shows that, 21 out of 52 candidates answered A, agreed that people
who know children are being abused that do not report it should also be blamed. Most of
the people agree because physical abuse will cause bruises and injury, while other types
of abuse, such as emotional abuse and neglect, also leave deep, lasting scars. The earlier
abused children get help, the greater chance they have to heal. 13 candidates answered B,
disagree to blame the people who do not report it. They scared if the report turns out to be
false, they will be fined, imprisoned or both. Besides that, 14 candidates answered D,
thinks that the people who do not report it might as well be an abuser and 4 candidates
answered C, prefer to not get involved.

19
More volunteers / social workers in the community will help decrease child abuse
20
18
18 17
16
16

14

12

Frequency 10

2 1

0
0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5

Choices of Answer

11)Conclusion

Based on the scatter graph above, out of 52 candidates, most of them strongly agreed that
more volunteers / social workers in the community will help decrease child abuse and other
half of the candidates stayed neutral with the statement above. According to our survey, more
volunteers / social workers can help decrease child abuse because intervention at the
neighbourhood level is likely to prevent child maltreatment within families. Child abuse can
be reduced by building social capital within communitiesby creating an environment of
mutual reciprocity in which residents are collectively engaged in supporting each other and in
protecting children. For example, supporting prevention programs such as family counselling
and home visits by nurses who provide assistance for newborns and their parent

20
12) Conclusion

Harsher laws against anyone who abuses a child will decrease child abuse

5 16

4 26

3 9
Frequency

2 1

0
1

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Choices of Answer

Based on the bar graph above, 26 out of 52 candidates, where most of them agreed that
harsher laws against anyone who abuses a child will decrease child abuse. According to our
information survey, laws must be stricter in order to seek true justice and to protect the rights
of the innocent and believe that the light sentencing has given advantage for pedophiles and
other child abusers as well can cause increased of child abuse rate. With harsher laws, the
child abuser will think twice about the penalty before committing child abuse.

21
Education about the adoption and foster care to parents win decreasing child abuse

25

16

11

0 0

13) Conclusion

Based on the bar chart above, 25 out of 50 respondents support that education about the
adoption and foster care parents win decreasing child abuse. According to our survey, Many
parents who abuse their children do not know very much about how children typically act,
think, and grow. Therefore, it is often useful for parent education programs to teach parents
about child development. Parents who have a good understanding of what behaviors are
typical for children at different ages and stages are more likely to hold appropriate
expectations for their children than are parents with little knowledge about children. When
teaching parents about child development, it is sometimes helpful to parents if parent
educators provide them with real life examples of how children think, act, and behave. For
example, it is often beneficial to take an ages and stages approach and give parents
concrete examples of typical and appropriate behaviors of newborns, toddlers, preschoolers,
and school-age children.

22
Lodging a report to the state's child protective services department or to local police if you witness a child being harmed or abused

3; 12%

5; 44%

4; 44%

1 2 3 4 5

14)Conclusion

From the pie chart, 44 % out of 100% has strongly agree that we should make a police
report. Police have a legal responsibility to safeguard children under 18, together with other
agencies such as the local authority, healthcare professionals and schools. This includes
sharing information held by police which is relevant to protect a child from harm.When a
child has been the victim of child abuse within the family, police will often work together
with social workers to interview the child or conduct joint visits to the home.The police will
investigate criminal offences such as physical assaults, sexual assaults and neglect of
children. They dont always decide to prosecute because its sometimes more appropriate for
the family to work with social workers to protect the child.Whether the police prosecute or
not, there will, in some cases, be a need for structured support to protect the child.

23
15)

Support prevention programs such as family counseling to stop the abuse before it happens

27

16

Conclusion

According to the bar chart above, 27 out of 50 respondents think that counseling can stop
the child abuse. Child abuse counseling is a special field of counseling that focuses on
treating children that have suffered at the hands of a trusted loved one. Patients of child
abuse psychologists might be victims of abuse themselves, or they might have witnessed a
loved one being abused, such as a parent or sibling. Based on the information found, a
counseling can change the parents heart and mind against the good and bad. When the
parents went for a counseling , they know what wrong they did and how to correct it.Too
often, intervention occurs only after abuse is reported. Greater investments are needed in
programs that have been proven to stop the abuse before it occurs - such as family
counseling and home visits by nurses who provide assistance for newborns and their
parents.

24
 Conclusion
From the data we collected, we will be able to determine that most of the UCSI
students know child abuse do exist in our community. But the rate of child abuse cases
remains high, this is shown that how serious the problem of social ruthless indifference is.
Half of the UCSI students indicate that there is not a cookie cutter model that tells you who
will abuse children or what types of children will be abused, at the same time shows the
ignorance of the community of child abuse. Society is not too concerned about or vigilant
and prepared for child abuse cases, they do not have any knowledge of this issue. Preventing
child abuse is not just a matter for parents to do better, but to create a better environment for
"doing better". As sociologist Robert Wuthnow has noted, every volunteer effort or act of
compassion finds its justification not in offering solutions for societys problems but in
offering hope both that the good society we envision is possible and that the very act of
helping each other gives us strength and a common destiny (Wuthnow, 1991: 304).
There are four types of child abuse: physical abuse, physical neglect, sexual abuse,
and emotional abuse. Fortunately, most of the UCSI students know that child abuse can have
not only physical, but emotional effects on a child's life. Physical abuse includes the
physical discipline which results in observable injuries on the child and emotional abuse
sometimes called psychological abuse and can seriously damage a childs emotional health
and development. Next, children are innocent, they need to be protected. How could adults
can go to hurt them? So, we need to protect the children from the abuse thought legal. For
example, the caregiver didn't mean to hurt the child at the time the injury happened,
whether it was intended or not, but it is still considered child abuse. In our survey, most of
the UCSI students think that the children will become abusers as adults when they are
abused in their childhood. That is true! Those children were abused in childhood half of
them will to abuse other children for vent their childhood pain after them be an adult and
other of them will to abuse other children because they think it is taken for granted.

The reason of only a number of cases of child abuse have been publicised in the
media that voted by 52 UCSI students is there are so many cases only high profile cases are
publicised. This is because if the explosive and value of those cases of child abuse is not
strong enough, these cases will be concealed and glossed over or it will never be seen in the
media. In addition, the adults are too afraid to report child abuse concerns because they are
frightened of repercussions or it may cause them trouble without consider those suffering
children. Here shows the indifference of society again, those adults only consider their own
interests, and choose to conceal and cover up these cases. Otherwise, the children who are
abused are also too afraid to report to local authorities because children are usually abused
by those who are stronger and more powerful, so reporting can be terrifying. For instance, in
mid-October, there was a news of sexual abuse of children. Which is more shocking is that
the perpetrator is the victim's grandfather and the grandfather. That grandfather sexual abuse
his grandson, he also intimidated the grandson cannot tell to other people about it or he will
kill the victim. So, the problem of child abuse must be addressed as soon as possible before
the cases of child abuse continue to rise.

25
 Other than that, The burden of prevention has been resting for years on the
smallest shoulders in our society: the children who are most vulnerable, least powerful,
and least likely to be able to protect themselves from a powerful adult. This is especially
true when considering that the majority of sexual abuse (93%) happens at the hands of an
adult well known to the child. When children are abused by adults they are also confused by
the fact that this person is supposed to be a protector, a caretaker, and worthy of trust simply
by being an adult (after all, we also teach children to obey adults, which can be very
confusing).Mostly students in UCSI knows what should do if a child were abused. Child
abusers are very often "experts" at emotional manipulation of children, gaining their trust
well in advance of the actual abuse. In light of these facts (and many others), it is clear that
the time has come for adults to assume responsibility for protecting children. Their
shoulders were not built for carrying such weight.In our survey,we noted that children are
being abused that do not report it should also blamed.Because they know that they were
injured and being abuse so they should take a good action to get rid of it.
Child abuse prevention is one of the main priorities of the Administration for
Children and Families, which has recently received additional funding to ensure the success
of this mandate. Child abuse prevention programs can protect families and save the lives of
children but they require commitment from parents, individuals and community
organizations.Students from UCSI also known that more social workers in the community
will help to decrease the child abuse.Moreover,Child abuse laws exist on the federal, state
and local levels. Legislation serves to keep children free from exploitation, harm,
and danger. The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), passed by the
federal government in 1974 and reauthorized in 2010 is the largest body of legislation with
regard to the fair, ethical and legal treatment of children and is intended to keep them free
from all forms of abuse including physical, sexual, emotional and psychological.Federal
laws provide standards and guidelines; however, most child abuse issues are governed by
state laws and regulations. All states have enacted laws for the protection of children from
abuse and neglect. Among the issues addressed in state law are mandatory reporting,
responding to child abuse and neglect, and statutes of limitations for criminal and civil
prosecution. Based on the survey, its stated that laws against anyone who abuses a child will
decrease child abuse.

Last but not the least,parents that have an understanding of the importance of their
role in the development of their children are more motivated to create a positive
environment. Factors that are known to create a positive effect on child development include
respectful communication and listening, consistent rules and expectations and safe
opportunities for independence.UCSI students also stated stated that education to parents
will help to prevent child abuse.Then, If you believe a child you know is being physically or
emotionally abused, don't hesitate to report it. Most areas have a local child abuse hotline
you can call to report what you know. All states have laws to protect you from legal liability
if the report you make is in good faith. Staying in denial or being afraid to call may have
life-threatening consequences for the child. Most of the students from UCSI agree that
lodging a report to the states child protective services department or to local police if you
witness a child being harmed or abused. Moreover, Finding a counselor with the skill and
training to help heal an abused child is a challenge. The match between counselor and child
must be right. If it is right, the parents must be able to support and reinforce the counselor.

26
That requires good communications on all sides, and a good alignment between the adults
and the child.Our survey also stated that family counseling can stop the abuse before it
happens.

In a nutsehell , our objective for carrying out this survey has become a successful
one as we have achieved our objective. We do might face some problems while carrying out
the survey. One of the problem that we encountered during the survey was the limited time
allocated, as the questionnaires were quite long (it took approximately 2-5 minutes to
complete one questionnaire). We had to collect primary data from a considerable number of
respondents in a very short period of time. With the help of the kind respondents , we
managed to complete the survey in a quick time with the God`s grace.

27