Does this classify as child abuse?

Question

Hello, Yahoo! Answers. I’m asking a question about child abuse because I’m very worried that my friend could possibly be going threw it. She is a thirteen year old female whose alias will remain Alice for the time being. Her parents and Aunt are very religious people, but there’s such a thing as going too far. Alice is an atheist but she has never mentioned that to anyone but me – so as far as her family knows, she is a Christian.

My relationship with Alice – We are both the same age and we have known each other for two years. We live in different states but we do visit numerous times each year. Whenever I visit, even though I am in fact a Christian, the Aunt gives me glares that could send shivers down my spine.

This question is mainly about if this case could be classified as child abuse. If it is, it would have to be mental abuse because there was no psychical contact. I will now somewhat describe what happened.

[The rest will be posted in additional details.]

Answer 1

Yes, it is a form of emotional abuse.

  

Emotional abuse is a pattern of behavior that attacks a child's emotional development and sense of self-worth. Emotional abuse includes excessive, aggressive or unreasonable demands that place expectations on a child beyond his or her capacity. Constant criticizing, belittling, insulting, rejecting and teasing are some of the forms these verbal attacks can take. Emotional abuse also includes failure to provide the psychological nurturing necessary for a child's psychological growth and development -- providing no love, support or guidance

Family or Parental Indicators:

blames or puts down child

is cold and rejecting

indifferent to child's problems or welfare

withholds affection

shows preferential treatment when there is more than one child in the family

NOTE - any one of these indicators could be attributable to a specific life event or other trauma. A pattern of behavior is the strongest indicator of abuse and should not be ignored.

Does Alice have another trusted adult (outside of her family) that she can confide in such as a teacher or counselor at school?  

Here is the child abuse hotline.  

National Child Abuse Hotline [phone]

There is more information at the source link.

Answer 2

this is DEFINATLY abuse and you know about so you have a responsibility to report it!

especially her not letting her go to the bathroom- abuse

i would say it would constitute for emotional abuse

i REALLY really hope things turn out okay for 'alice'

Answer 3

First I would like to state that you have great grammar for a 13 year old!  Secondly, yes it is child abuse no one can force religion on you and they certainly can't with hold you from using a restroom at all, nevermind in your own house!

Answer 4

To be blunt, despite your efforts (which are not lacking of course) to describe the events in question, you will need to be just a bit more specific. Although what the aunt has supposedly done is perhaps a bad thing in terms of good Christian behavior, it does lack a certain gravitas. Although it may be obvious, did the aunt know of your friend's agnostic nature? Did the aunt force the exorcist out of nowhere, without provocation? In short, what you've described is that of a very strict aunt. Forcing someone to beg to use the bathroom is the closest grounds for claiming abuse, which if you were to take to the legal system, would preside in favor of the aunt so long as no bodily harm came from not using the bathroom. This situation is nothing short of an example for bad "parenting" skills from the aunt. At best, your friend would need to be diagnosed with some sort of mental disability such as bipolar disorder. In short, for the most part, nothing has been done by the aunt which can be deemed as abusive (legally that is).

Sorry about asking for more details, it must be tough, but there are no simple answers for complicated problems.

Answer 5

All i can say is wow!! I feel that is soo wrong in my opinion

and im sorry your friend had to expiance that!

Answer 6

wow... she has no right... =(

have your friend talk to the school councilor and see what they say about it... there's got to be some sort of punishment...

Answer 7

It sounds like the aunt definitely needs to be stopped. Be careful, though, you don't want to make things worse for Alice. Tell, but you'll need to be sure that Alice will corroborate what you say or you may not be believed and things may get worse for her.

Answer 8

call child services

Answer 9

WOAH,,, SHES OVER THE TOP WITH HER BELEIFS,,LOL,, SHES PROBABLY TRYING TO PRACTICE HER STUFF ON HER, SHE SHOULDNT GO BACK XXXXXXXX

Answer 10

yes it is mental but not phisical unless there are bruses they wont do anything ****** up right

Answer 11

Sounds like the classic case of "crazyy  family"  well iv been raised with catholic latinos and beleive me, some of them go beyond the call of religious duty.  She thinks ur friend is Possesed for some reason.   Well im sure this isn't going 2 change alice's mind about god.  

I don't think its abuse but her parents should know what's going on.  Maybe they paid her 2 take the demons out, who knows

Answer 12

Wow thats not being Christian that sounds like a cult! (or however you spell that)  She needs to tell someone, know wonder she says shes an atheist.  Poor girl she needs to understand that thats not how being a christian is.

Answer 13

Yes

Answer 14

we live in a free country where religion is your choice! not allowing her to go to the bathroom can cause bladder infections etc... so yes that is child endangerment!!

Answer 15

Yes! It is. Tell someone.