A Main Issue in Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes

In Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, Sarah Byrnes is physically abused by her father. He gave her socially paralyzing scars on her face and hands from pressing her face to a hot stove. Because of this, I decided to do further research into child abuse, specifically physical abuse. These days, you hear about child abuse all the time- 2.5 million cases are reported every year. 35 out of 100 cases are physical abuse cases like the one Sarah Byrnes was.

There are four types of child abuse- physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, and child neglect. Physical abuse when the parent or guardian in charge of a child “Inflicts or allows to be inflicted upon such child physical injury by other than accidental means” (Section 1012(e) of the Family Court Act.) That means that any injury, internal or external, that’s inflicted on a child by a parent/guardian that isn’t an accident is child abuse. Any punishment that involves injury, even if it’s only a bruise, is considered abusive. Mothers of babies who used drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can be charged with child abuse as well. Shaken baby syndrome is also abusive- it’s when a frustrated caregiver shakes a baby to make them stop being difficult which causes brain damage because undeveloped neck muscles cause an infants brain to bounce around in its head.

The main physical sign of this type of abuse is injury that can’t be explained (bite marks, bruises, lacerations, skin discoloration, broken bones, unusual fractures etc.) Some behaviors that you might find in a physically abused child might be avoiding physical contact with other kids, coming to school early and not wanting to go home, runs away from home, complains of pain, has inconsistent explanations of injuries, doesn’t get along well with other kids, or is often late or doesn’t come to school.

Child abuse can leave lasting mental scars on a child’s mind. Sufferers of child abuse generally need to seek help from a mental health professional. Family members also may need to go to counseling. If someone takes a child into custody who has been abused, they can receive up to $50,000 dollars for medical expenses through the Crime Victims’ Compensation.

If a child is being an abused, one should contact local child protective service or a local physician. This is because a Physician is legally obligated to report a case of child abuse to local authorities. Most physical abuse is a third degree felony (unless there is serious injury inflicted, that’s a first degree felony and is punishable from 5-99 years in prison.) A third degree felony requires about 2-10 years in prison, and offenders can get fines that are as much as $10,000. Child abuse is a serious, growing issue- reporting a case can help save a child and change their life dramatically.