There is a lot of confusion about what abuse is. Many common words like “abuse” and the sobering reality of what they mean have lost weight. Therefore, as an organization, we focus on the word “exploitation” because it encompasses both the mentality and actions that cause severe harm to children. The Britannica dictionary defines exploit as “to get value or use from (something); to use (someone or something) in a way that helps you unfairly.”
We Define Child Exploitation As
“Using a Child for Another Person’s Gain or Benefit“
This definition is crucial because it creates a baseline for us to observe actions. Exploitation is a mentality that objectifies human beings, and that allows perpetrators of all types to justify their abusive and harmful actions. Any level of child exploitation is a warning sign to pay attention to. These justified choices to exploit a child (even in minor situations) produce fertile ground for other, more severe forms of harm in the future.
Most Common Types of Exploitation
It is easy to assume that certain forms of exploitation are more severe than others. However, studies have proven that all types of abuse respond similarly to children’s brain, emotional, and psychological development.
More in depth information can be found in our free online child safety training, Watchful Eye.
How to Identify Exploitation and Abuse
Through our interactive training, Watchful Eye, we simplify how to identify and prevent child exploitation. No matter your skill level, you can learn to recognize behavior patterns and subtle indicators through this life-saving training.
The Rotten Tree of Child Exploitation
Child exploitation is a rotten tree growing rotten fruit, producing some of our most debilitating social and human issues. We often address the bad fruit, but the corrupt tree continues growing. We don’t do the norm because we don’t focus on the fruit (effects). As a PREVENTION organization, we are doing our best to follow the directives of Jesus and address the tree called child exploitation.
