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General Resources:
Additional Denver Metro Area Resources:
Alternatives to Family Violence
(303) 428-9611
Arapahoe-Douglas Children’s
Advocacy and Family Resources
(303) 368-1065
Catholic Charities Administration
(303) 742-0823
Denver Center for Crime Victims
(303) 860-0660
Denver Children’s Advocacy Center
(303) 825-3850
Denver Indian Family
Resource Center
(303) 871-8035
FACES
(counseling for younger children)
(720) 570-9333
Jefferson County
Children’s Advocacy Center
(303) 987-4885
Karlis Family Center
(303) 462-1060
Adams Community
Mental Health Center
(303) 853-3500
Aurora Mental Health Center
(303) 617-2300
Boulder Mental Health Center
(303) 433-8500
Comitis Crisis Center (Aurora)
(303) 341-9160
Jefferson County
Center for Mental Health
(303) 425-0300
Jefferson County
Child Advocacy Center
(303) 987-4885
Mental Health Corporation of Denver
(303) 377-4300
Servicios de la Raza
(mental health services in Spanish)
(303) 458-5851
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What is Child Abuse?
Abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional, or it can be any form of neglect. The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act defines abuse as “any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.” Most states define a “child” as any person under the age of 18.
Risk Factors for Abuse
We may never fully understand all of the reasons why an adult may become abusive—There is no specific profile for an adult that makes him or her likely to abuse, but there are some risk factors that may contribute. Often, parents and caregivers have no intention of harming a child, but they may be unable to cope with life’s stresses. They may then take their anger and frustration out on children. Other times, adults are simply unaware that their form of discipline is too harsh or excessive for the child’s age or behavior. Adults who abuse children may also face one or more of these challenges:
- Living at or below the poverty level
- Social isolation
- Frequent family crisis
- Abuse during their childhood
- Substance abuse
- Lack of parenting skills
- Unrealistic expectations of children
- Poor impulse control
- Past unplanned or premarital pregnancy
- Abuse from their partner
- Unemployment
The Long-Term Effects of Child Abuse
Children who suffer any kind of abuse can have lifelong problems, including:
- Learning disorders
- Dropping out of school
- Crime and Violence
- Prostitution
- Sexually transmitted disease
- Teenage Pregnancy
- Substance Abuse
- Unemployment
- Post-traumatic stress disorder or other personality disorders
- Depression or low self-esteem
- Speech defects
- Brain damage
- Suicide
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