第二篇 Preventing Child Maltreatment(虐待)

Child maltreatment is a global problem with serious life-long consequences. There are no reliable global estimates for the prevalence (流行) of child maltreatment. Data for many countries, especially low-and middle-income countries, are lacking.

Child maltreatment is complex and difficult to study. Current estimates vary widely depending on the country and the method of research used. Nonetheless, international studies reveal that approximately 20% of women and 5%-10% of men report being sexually abused as children, while 25%-50%of all children report being physically abused. Additionally, many children are subject to1 emotional abuse(sometimes referred to as2 psychological abuse).

Every year, there are an about 31,000 homicide(殺人) deaths in children under 15.This number underestimates the true extent of the problem, as a significant proportion of deaths due to child maltreatment are incorrectly attributed to falls, bums and drowning.

Child maltreatment causes suffering to children and families and can have long-term consequences. Maltreatment causes stress that is associated with disruption in early brain development. Extreme stress can impair the development of the nervous and immune systems. Consequently, as adults, maltreated children are at increased risk for behavioural, physical and mental health problems. Via the behavioural and mental health consequences, maltreatment can contribute to heart disease, cancer, suicide and sexually transmitted infections.

Beyond the health consequences of child maltreatment, there is an economic impact, including costs of hospitalization, mental health treatment, child welfare, and longer-term health costs.

A number of risk factors for child maltreatment have been identified. These risk factors are not present in all social and cultural contexts, but provide an overview when attempting to understand the causes of child maltreatment.

It is important to emphasize that children are the victims and are never to blame for maltreatment. A number of characteristics of an individual child may increase the likelihood of being maltreated, such as being either under four years old or an adolescent, being unwanted, or failing to fulfill the expectations of parents and having special needs, crying persistently or having abnormal physical features.

36 International studies reveal that

A many children have been neglected.

B child maltreatment is most serious in developed countries.

C 20% of children have been sexually abused.

D 25%-50% of girls have been physically abused.

37 The word "underestimates" in paragraph 3 means

A exaggerates.

B points out.

C assumes.

D miscalculates.

38 Child maltreatment can bring all the following consequences EXCEPT

A stress.

B suicide.

C heart disease.

D poor memory.

39 Children are more likely to be maltreated if they

A cry a lot.

B are not good-looking.

C are over 4 years old.

D are quiet.

40 We can infer from the passage that

A researchers have collected enough data on child maltreatment.

B more than 31,000 children under 15 are killed every year.

C many countries have set up special institutions for maltreated children.

D some children are also to blame for maltreatment.

36 A   37 D   38 D   39 A   40 B

（責任編輯：vstara）

共9頁,當前第5頁  第一頁  前一頁  下一頁