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Summary: Riley is home alone, again… But not for long.
Sitting on the couch in the living room, Riley watched everyone's preparations to leave, tried not to look too excited. It was date night for her parents and piano practice for Rebecca, so she was going to have the house to herself. Rebecca had already left, was on her way to a probable roll in the hay with Helena. Her parents looked like they were just about ready, as well, had their light coats on. Finally, they said goodbye and left.
Home alone, again, she thought, watching them head to the car, but not for long.
Pulling her phone from her pocket, she called Caroline. The girl picked up on the first ring, "Are they gone?"
"They are pulling out now."
"I'll be over in a minute. Bye."
An excited giggle escaped her and she did a little dance. The girls had talked about this all week and it was finally time. Riley looked around the empty house, grinning. It had been a couple of days since Caroline crawled in her window and they were going to make up for lost time this evening.
Drumming her fingers on the armrest of the couch, she wished her friend would hurry up. It seemed like she was taking her sweet time getting here, but was probably running. The mental image of the girl in her sneakers tearing up the sidewalk made her smile.
The front door opened and Caroline burst in without knocking. Riley laughed as the girl flopped on the couch beside her.
"Hi," she said, as the girl snuggled against her.
"Hey," Caroline said, a little out of breath. It made Riley smile; the girl really had ran here, "Let's go upstairs."
"Nah," Riley said, turning her chin and giving her a kiss.
"I thought you'd want to…" Caroline said, her eyes wide.
"Oh, I do. I just don't want to go upstairs," she said, putting her hand on the girl's jean clad thigh.
Frowning, Caroline looked down at the hand, then back up at her. Riley had to laugh as realization dawn on her friend's face and her eyes got wide.
"What? Here?"
"Why not? We have the house to ourselves. Who knows if or when we'll have another chance," she said, kissing her. She felt Caroline respond, the kiss deepening.
When she finally pulled back, Caroline was grinning. She nodded, held her arms up so Riley could help her out of her shirt. Riley tossed it aside, well out of arms reach, making Caroline giggle. The girl nodded at Riley's shirt, biting her lip. Slipping out of it, she tossed it in the other direction. The grin Caroline favored her with made her breath catch in her throat and the girl pounced on her. Laughing, she ran her hands up her back and into her hair, kissed her deeply.
Coming up for air, Caroline said, "You know this is a bad idea, right? You've seen enough teen movies to know this is the scene when the parents forget something and have to return home?"
"Then you better stop talking and start undressing. We might not have much time," Riley said, making the girl giggle.
Riley watched as Caroline stood up, unbuttoned her jeans and shimmied out of them. She had to kick off her shoes to remove them completely. Not for the first time, she admired her long legs.
Caroline caught her looking, said, "Why aren't you undressing, too?"
"I will," she said, smiling playfully at her friend, "in a minute."
Giving her a look, then a playful smile of her own, Caroline started dancing as she reached behind her back to undo the catches on her bra, her hips swaying to some unheard song. Riley found the gyrations fascinating and her heart was racing as Caroline slipped out of her bra. She had to swallow hard as the girl cupped her small breasts, then ran her hands down her flat stomach. Her thumbs hooked into the waistband of her panties and she slowly worked them down, one hip at a time. By the time they pooled around her ankles, Riley was so turned on she could barely stand it. She smiled as the girl kicked her underwear off and they went sailing across the room, ending up in the entrance to the kitchen.
Naked, she continued her little dance, gesturing for Riley to stand up with the wriggle of her finger. Laughing, Riley got to her feet and found herself dancing with Caroline. The girl took her hand and put one on her waist, moving against her. They twirled to some unheard song, then Caroline spun her out. When she was reeled back in, her back was to her friend, the girl's arms wrapped around her.
Her hands slipped down Riley's stomach, and into the waist band of the shorts she wore. She slipped them, along with her panties, down and off, helped her step out of them. Running her hands up the outside of her thighs, over her hips and all the way up, she cupped her breasts. Riley groaned as she gently kneaded them, her nipples straining against the thin material of her bra. It hooked in the front and she released it so it fell open, gave Caroline access to her bare skin. The girl teased her nipples until they ached sweetly and she couldn't stand it anymore.
Turning, she kissed the girl deeply as she shrugged out of the bra. She sat down on the couch, pulled Caroline down atop her, without breaking the kiss. Her hands roamed over the girl's back, down to her buttocks.
Caroline stole one more kiss, then kissed her way down Riley's supine body. Her warm lips made Riley shiver and sigh as she worked lower, passing her belly button. Still lower until her tongue found Riley's tender bud. With lazy flicks of her tongue, she teased a moan from Riley. Gently, she stroked Caroline's hair, tucked it behind her ear so she could watch what the girl was doing to her. Caroline rolled her eyes up at Riley, a hint of a smile on her lips as she drove her body wild.
Glancing at the door, she sent up a little prayer that her parents wouldn't come home before Caroline could finish what she was doing to her. Not for the first time, she thought Caroline was getting really good at this.
Practice makes perfect, she thought, grinning, and we've been practicing a lot lately.
Caroline wasn't making it easy for her to think, but she managed to wonder about that. It was true, they were spending more and more time sleeping together. Did the fact it felt really good account for that?
Her train of thought was derailed when she saw her friend slip a couple of fingers into her mouth and pull them out slick with saliva. She bit her lip as they pressed against the opening of her vagina, moaning as they eased deep inside of her slick core. Her back arched as Caroline found the secret spot, the one that made her cry out. When her tongue found her clit, again, Riley lost control of the sounds coming out of her slack mouth.
Caroline was looking at her, amused. Riley tried to rein in her cries but she couldn't. Her friend winked at her, continued to torture her poor body.
"I'm going to come," she said, feeling her orgasm building inside. Caroline had already known, pushed her past her limit until she came so hard that she accidentally kicked the coffee table display as her leg jerked, sent it skittering to the floor. She felt a sharp pain in her ankle but it was drowned out by the lovely sensations she was floating on.
"You killed the basket," Caroline laughed, getting off her knees to fetch the wicker basket and the multicolored balls Riley had knocked over.
"Sorry," she said, a little dazed.
"You okay," Caroline asked, putting the display back together.
"That was amazing," she said, grinning, "you are amazing."
"I AM pretty amazing," Caroline said, stretching out facing her on the couch.
"And modest, too," Riley said, making her friend laugh. She kissed her when the giggles dried up.
Running her hand down the girl's flank, Riley smiled at Caroline. She opened her legs a little and Riley let the hand slip between her thighs. Caroline kissed her as she made lazy circles with her fingertips. She had to break the kiss to moan, looking down at what Riley was doing to her. When she looked back up, she met Riley's eyes. It was very intimate and very sexy, the girl's pleasure shining in her eyes. Riley couldn't look away as the girl moaned again, her mouth slack.
Her hand moved deeper between her thighs and she slipped her fingers inside Caroline's wet sex. Again, she could almost feel it herself, the girl's enjoyment written all over her face. It was erotic, watching the girl's face screw up in pleasure as she slowly made come hither motions with her fingers, teasing the same spot Caroline had driven her wild with. Like Riley, she couldn't hold back her cries of ecstasy.
Riley's other arm was trapped under her and it was jealous of the fun its mate was having, so she gently rolled Caroline onto her back, so she could free it. She moved so was straddling one of Caroline's thighs. In this new position, she could explore her friend's lovely body, let her free hand test the resilience of her muscle, the softness of her skin. She couldn't deny she liked how Caroline felt, how she looked there writhing on the couch. More and more, she found the girl irresistible.
Something else to think about when she wasn't so distracted.
Leaning forward, she kissed the girl on the lips, then the curve of her neck where it met her shoulder blade. She kissed the pale slope of one breast, then the jutting nipple of the other, drawing a groan from Caroline. Her friend's hand knotted in her hair, holding her there. Smiling, she teased the nipple with her tongue and lips, gently nibbled it with her teeth until the girl's back arched off the cushions. Her hand slipped from the back of Riley's head and she kissed her way back up, finally meeting Caroline's lips. The girl managed to kiss her back, moaning into her mouth.
Breaking the kiss, she looked into Caroline's eyes, wanted that intimacy that had had earlier while lying face to face. Gently, she brushed the hair from the girls forehead, tucked it behind her ear. The girl gave her a curious smile, one she didn't have the chance to read before it disappeared.
She saw her friend's eyes widen, heard the change in her breathing. She could feel her body gathering tension, knew she was going to come. She smiled down at Caroline, then, with one more thrust of her fingers, brought her to a shuddering orgasm, her cry of ecstasy loud enough to wake the neighbors.
Riley started laughing and the girl blushed, put a hand over her mouth. Still laughing, Riley pulled her hand away so she could kiss her, said, "It's alright. No one else is here."
"Still," she said, laughing, "I didn't mean to be so loud."
"It's my fault," Riley said, kissing her, again, "I'm just that good."
"Now, who is being modest?"
"Who needs modesty when you are this awesome," she said, making the girl laugh harder.
Getting to her feet, she said, "Come on. There is something else I want to do."
Caroline sat up, said, "What is that?"
"I want to take a shower," Riley said, shivering at the mental image of Caroline all wet and soapy.
"Oh, hell yeah," Caroline said, jumping to her feet, "Natty has all these stories about doing it in the shower. I always wanted to try it."
"Well, maybe we can work on a story of your own," she said, moving against the girl and kissing her deeply, "one to make Natty jealous."
"Mmm… I love when you talk like that," Caroline said, grinning.
"Come on," Riley said, grabbing her hand and leading her through the house.
In the bathroom, she let Caroline fiddle with the taps while she found them some towels. When her friend was satisfied with the temperature, they stepped under the steaming spray. Riley sighed as the hot water caressed her skin, grinning at Caroline. The girl was smiling, too, basking in the spray.
"This feels so good," Caroline said, moving against her, "we need to do this more often."
"Well, date nights are always free," Riley said, letting her hands roam over her slippery back, down to cup her firm backside.
"Same time next week?"
Laughing, Riley said, "Yeah, I'm cool with that."
Caroline kissed her then, a deep kiss that brought a flush of excitement over Riley. Without breaking the kiss, her friend reached for something, came up holding Riley's body wash. She broke the kiss, showed Riley the bottle. Smiling, the girl poured some into the palm of her hand, set the bottle down, then worked her hands until they were a soapy mess. Riley got a little shiver down her spine, thinking about those hands roaming over her. Then Caroline began to wash her, taking her time to enjoy herself. The smile on her face as she ran her slippery hands up and down Riley's long legs, over flat belly and breasts, around to soap her back and buttocks, made Riley feel sexy. The girl had a way of looking at her that made her heart want to skip a beat.
She was a trembling mess by the time Caroline was finished, so turned on by the girl's touch that she could barely stand it. Caroline turned her into the spray, pressed her body against Riley's back. The hot water rinsed the soap away but didn't do anything for her arousal. Then Caroline reach around and her hand slipped between her thighs. Her fingers stoked the fire already burning there and she sighed.
The feel of the hot water on her skin, the lovely scent of her soap, the feel of Caroline's lean body molded to her back, the wonderful things her fingers between her thighs were doing to her… Doing this in the shower was even better than she had imagined.
Caroline's other hand roamed up her flank, to cup one of her breasts. The intimacy of the touch made her moan, press back into the girl. She put her hands on the shower head wall, closed her eyes and let Caroline do what she wanted to do to her. The hiss of the shower couldn't cover the noises she was making.
The girl kissed her shoulder, brushed her hair aside to kiss the curve of her neck. Craning her neck and twisting her body, Riley kissed her and didn't stop until she needed to come up for air.
Her body was alive with wonderful sensations, her hips gyrating against Caroline's hand. She liked the feel of the girl's breasts mashed against her back and her lower abdomen rubbing against her buttocks as she swayed.
It was all too much for her and cried out as an orgasm shook her. Caroline's fingers slowed, each touch making her hips jerk and a gasp escape her, but it also kept the wonderful feelings washing through her. By the time the girl finally stopped, her legs were trembling and she was leaning heavily against the wall.
Turning into the girl, she kissed her deeply, wrapped her arms around her neck so she couldn't get away. When she finally pulled back, she grinned at Caroline, who was grinning back.
"Your turn," she said, letting the girl go so she could reach for the body wash.
She thought Caroline had had the right idea, took her time to enjoy herself. She soaped the girl up,her hands roaming over her young body. Smiling, she heard Caroline's breathing change as the girl became excited. She didn't stop her exploration until the girl was sighing and shaking with need. Only then did she let her hand trail down her soapy stomach and between her thighs. Caroline moaned, more than ready for her touch.
The girl put her arms around Riley's neck, held on to her as her body began to sway. Smiling, Riley put a hand on her chin, turned her head up so she could kiss her friend. Caroline tried to kiss her back but couldn't keep from moaning. Finally, she gave up. She rested her head on her arm, her soft cries muffled against Riley's neck. Smiling, Riley put her arm around the girl, her hand on the opposite shoulder, held her as she continued to torture her tender bud. It was an awkward embrace but Riley didn't want to let go. She was surprised by how much she craved this intimacy.
Caroline's arms tightened on her as her body began to go crazy. She held on for dear life as Riley had her hips gyrating, her stomach tightening. Her little wordless cries were getting louder. Riley smiled, her fingers moving faster and faster. She hissed as Caroline's fingers dug into her back, her nails leaving red welts. Still, she kept on, wanting Caroline to feel as good as she had.
The girl came hard, gasping in her ear as her body went crazy. Pulling her hand from between her thighs, she hugged the girl tight as she trembled. Caroline held her back, laughing.
"Wow," she said in Riley's ear.
After a moment, Riley pulled back, let the girl rinse the rest of the soap off. The girl was grinning at her as she watched.
"A girl could get used to being looked at like that," she said, moving against Riley.
"What can I say," Riley said, kissing her, "you are easy to look at."
"Oh my," Caroline laughed, but it was clear the compliment pleased her.
"We should probably get out," Riley said, looking at the shower head, "we used up all of the hot water."
"I guess," Caroline said, with an exaggerated sigh.
Grinning at her, Riley stole one more kiss, then turned off the water. Stepping out of the stall, she handed towel to her friend. She hurriedly dried off, sneaking peeks at Caroline as she did the same.
The wet towels were hung up, then Riley grabbed her hand and said, "Come on. We better gather our clothes before my parents get home."
They stepped out of the bathroom and came to a sudden stop. Riley heard Caroline gasp in surprise behind her. She didn't have to glance at her to know she had the same deer in the headlight look that was surely on her face. For a second, she couldn't move, her body frozen. Then she felt Caroline move behind her, hiding her nudity as best she could.
"Well, hi," Rebecca said, laughing. She had their clothes in her arms, held the bundle out to Riley. She looked around Riley to smile at Caroline, "Caroline. Nice seeing you."
Riley couldn't see her, but she knew the girl was blushing. She motioned for Rebecca to look away. The teenager laughed, again, as she turned around. Riley lead Caroline around her, then ran to her room. Both girls burst into the room, closed the door behind them. Riley looked at Caroline, saw she was indeed blushing bright red.
"Oh God," she said, putting her hand to her mouth, "that was so embarrassing."
Riley tried not to laugh. Having Rebecca see her naked wasn't quite as big a deal to her. Caroline saw her trying not to smile, gave her a dirty look that was the end of her self-control. She started giggling.
"It's not funny," she said, then started laughing herself, "God, she must have gotten an eyeful."
"I'd say so," Riley said, laughing, "at least it wasn't my parents."
"Speaking of which," Caroline said, frowning, "what is Rebecca doing home so early?"
Glancing at her alarm clock, Riley's eyes widened, "She isn't. Wow."
"What," Caroline said, looking at the clock. Her eyes were wide when she looked back at Riley, "Is it really that late?"
"I guess so," she said, laughing, "time flies when you are having fun."
"I guess it does," Caroline said, smiling at her. She started dressing, said, "I guess I better hurry. Shouldn't be long before your parents are home."
Riley went to her dresser found some sleep shorts and a tank top, got dressed. When she turned around, Caroline was slipping her shoes on. Sitting on the bed beside her, she smiled at the girl, "This was fun."
"And you have a shower story now."
"Yes, I do," Caroline said, kissing her, "a good one, too."
"Call me when you get home?"
"Yeah," she said, getting up, "Talk to you then."
"Love you."
"Love you, too."
Then the girl was gone.
She went to her desk, opened her backpack and took out her home work. She was just getting started when there was a knock at her door. Rebecca poked her head into the room and Riley waved her in. The teenager was smiling coyly and it made Riley's heart race. A smile like that could be trouble. She sat on the edge of the bed, still smiling at her.
"You are so lucky to have a girlfriend like Caroline. Do you know what she just asked me," Rebecca said, the smile widening a little.
"I can guess," Riley said, grinning, "and she's not my girlfriend."
"Why not," her step-sister asked.
The question threw her off a little and she stammered, "What… What do you mean 'why not'?"
"She's cute, apparently a little kinky but that's a good thing," Rebecca said, laughing, "and, judging by what I walked in on earlier, I'd say you really enjoy each others' company. So I ask again, why isn't she your girlfriend?"
"I… Well…" Riley said, then realized she really didn't have a response, "she just isn't, okay."
"Well, if it were me," Rebecca said, smiling, "I'd put a ring on her finger before some other girl snatches her up. Figuratively speaking, of course."
Riley gave her a look and the teenager held up her hands in defeat, laughing, "Alright, I give up."
"Uh huh," Riley said, laughing.
"Anyway, I just came by to say, I'm looking forward to your birthday party. Not the one with cake and ice cream but the one she's planning for you. Again, I say you are lucky to have a friend like her."
"I know," Riley said, smiling.
Rebecca got up headed for the door. She paused with her hand on the knob, looked back, said, "All teasing aside, I'd really think about you two going into the future. While you swear up and down she isn't your girlfriend, you two make a really cute couple. Even if you haven't figured it out, yet."
With that she was gone and Riley was left to stare at the closed door in her wake. Her words were still circling in her Riley's brain and she frowned. She didn't think Rebecca was messing with her, even though the teenager was quite fond of teasing her.
Still frowning, she turned back to her homework, looking at her closed English notebook. She picked up her pen, drew a little heart in the upper right corner. Inside she put hers and Caroline's initials. Staring at it, she didn't know what to think.


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Damn cool.
Twisted Insurrection is a standalone game based on a heavily modified Tiberian Sun engine. The game features a completely new in-depth storyline which puts you in an alternate timeline where the Brotherhood of Nod were victorious during the first Tiberian War rather than GDI. Do you have what it takes to drag the shattered Global Defense Initiative out of ruin? Or will you crush all who oppose the will of Kane and his Inner Circle? The choice is yours commander.
Damn cool.
these promotional sketches you post every now and then are incredibly beautiful. So much awesome. T_T
release date for beta 5 plz!
Estimate December.
God, I had a heart attack when I saw this, it's that good:D
"knock knock, any one home ?" *Hears Echo* "Guess not"
Awesome artwork!
"Nod machinist? No, it'sa me, Mario!"
Only registered members can share their thoughts. So come on! Join the community today (totally free - or sign in with your social account on the right) and join in the conversation.
"So, about that broken pipe..."

subset: commoncrawl


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Fathers' Day - what ELSE can you do for Dad on a budget?
On Father's Day we all make a special effort but, year after year, don't you get tired of seeing the same old suggestions? Don't worry, there's some good news. These great ideas cost less than £1 and each one puts a new spin on 'something special for Dad' that you won't find anywhere else…
Everyone says 'wash the car for Dad'. That's a bit old hat. There's one free and easy way to make this far more exciting – especially to slightly older children for whom the novelty of soap-suds and buckets of cold water may have worn off. Prepare a 'Dad's Mix Tape' on an MP3 player. Blindfold Dad, take him out to the car. He can listen to his favourite tunes while the car gets a hot wash – and you may be surprised how many 80s or 90s hits the children know too. 'Sing-a-Long-a-Suds' – much more fun!
Even though it's a lovely idea, hot pots and pans means it's not practical to let very young children make a breakfast. However, by the time they're old enough to understand the concept of Fathers' Day, they're usually old enough to butter pieces of toast. What's more, they're probably old enough to help Dad get dressed. At this age (around 3 to 4 years old), that's a special event – helping Dad to get his socks on, choosing a shirt for Dad, making sure he doesn't put his trousers on backwards… even helping Dad to brush his hair.
Primary school children are reading and writing well, so it's quite traditional to see Fathers' Day cards coming home. Try this for a change. With just one sheet of A4 paper, you can ask children to write 12 or even 16 small notes to their father. Start each one with 'Daddy I love you because…' or 'Dad, you're the greatest because…' and get them to fill in the rest. Make it special. Tell them it's private, between them and their Dad, and then let them hide the notes in and around the house.
It's summer time, so older children could be encouraged to chip in and help Dad by doing some gardening chores. The lawn needs mowing, the drive needs clearing of weeds, and there are always waste-bins that need washing. How about this, though: instead of just weeding the garden, how about setting up a specials breakfast for Dad outside if it's a nice day? You wouldn't need tables or chairs, a picnic blanket would serve just as well. And if it's raining? A 'Dad's Gardening Gift' is ideal.
Tradition dictates it's the thought that counts – but actions really can speak louder than words sometimes. Homemade Fathers' Days cards really are inexpensive to make. But (as long as you're sure Dad is game for a laugh) why not add in some outrageous Dad Tokens? For younger children, perhaps suggest a Dad Token that lets him be the one to decide which pudding you have (or indeed, if you eat pudding before your main course). For older children, it's a veto on TV programmes – even if he's outnumbered, Dad can use a Dad Token if there's something he'd like to watch.
Finally, don't forget the power of a simple gesture. Remind your children that gifts and surprises don't have to be big and expensive to be valued. Talk to them about the memories you have of your own parents. Remember work as well as play, and encourage them to simply show Dad's he's appreciated, every single day.


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Back to Table of Contents
Part One: What Is Child Abuse?
Part One: What Is Child Abuse?
Texas law provides a definition of child abuse. In addition, the law provides criminal sanctions for assaults, sexual assaults, and other acts that may be committed against children. The definition of child abuse, which is part of the Texas Family Code, is the basis for civil actions to protect a child from an abuser (such as removal of a child from the home). The Penal Code provides the basis for the criminal prosecution of a person who assaults or otherwise commits a crime against a child. The definition of child abuse and some relevant sections of the Penal Code can be found in the appendix to this handbook.
According to Chapter 261 of the Family Code (recodified in 1995), child abuse is an act or omission that endangers or impairs a child's physical, mental or emotional health and development. Child abuse may take the form of physical or emotional injury, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, physical neglect, medical neglect, or inadequate supervision.
The law specifically excludes "reasonable" discipline by the child's parent, guardian, or conservator; corporal punishment is not in itself abusive under the law. An act or omission is abusive only if "observable and material impairment" occurs as a result, or if it causes "substantial harm," or exposes the child to risk of substantial harm.
Neglect, like physical and emotional abuse, hinges on substantial harm or observable and material impairment. The law excludes from its definition of neglect any failure to provide for the child that is due to lack of financial resources. A child living in poverty is not a victim of neglect under the Texas Family Code except in cases where relief has been offered and refused by the child's parent, guardian, or conservator.
Accidental injury or harm is also excluded from the definition of abuse. However, a person commits abuse if s/he places a child, or allows a child to be placed, in a situation where the child is exposed to "substantial risk" of injury or harm. The law also clearly states that a person commits abuse if s/he fails to make a reasonable effort to prevent another person from abusing a child. This provision applies to all forms of abuse, including physical and emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect.
Physical abuse typically occurs when a frustrated parent or caregiver strikes, shakes, or throws a child because of anger. Other forms of deliberate assault that may be physically abusive include burning, scalding,biting, kicking, cutting, poking, twisting a child's limbs, deliberately withholding food, binding, gagging, choking, or hitting the child with a closed fist or other instrument. Any form of corporal punishment may be abusive if it results in injury.
The indicators described below may be helpful in identifying possible child abuse victims. However, suspicious-looking injuries can occur accidentally, as the result of an unusual medical condition or birthmark, or even sometimes as the result of a non-abusive folk remedy for a medical condition. The investigation of child abuse should be performed by specially trained professionals. The indicators below can be used advisedly by persons who have frequent contact with children to identify possible victims.
Later sections of this handbook will describe a person's legal responsibility to report suspected abuse and will suggest appropriate ways that the non-investigating non-specialist might be able to help a child who may be abused.
Physical injuries resulting from child abuse can run the gamut from bruises, burns, and lacerations, to head injuries, broken bones, broken teeth, and damage to internal organs. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, internal or external bleeding, impaired mobility, delayed development, malnutrition, convulsions, coma, or even death. Any of these injuries or symptoms can occur because of accidents or medical conditions. Context, circumstances, and the exact nature of the wounds usually set apart the injuries resulting from abuse. Specially trained professionals must make the determination whether a child has actually been abused or not.
No reasonable explanation for the injury
In some cases, the injured child or an adult will attribute the injury to abuse. More often, the explanation for the injury is insufficient, incongruous, or altogether lacking. The child may try to hide the injuries by wearing unseasonable clothes. Injuries may appear on a child who has been unexpectedly absent from school or day care for several days. The child's parents may seem unconcerned about an injury and their stories may be inconsistent with the injuries or contradictory. Any of these circumstances indicate possible abuse.
Unusual injuries for the child 's age
Injuries that are easily explained by typical childhood activities are probably accidental. Children tend to bruise and scrape their knees and elbows, for example. Fractures found in children under the age of about four are more likely to be the result of abuse, whereas fractures found in school-age children are more likely to have occurred accidentally. Any fracture found in an infant of twelve months or younger is suspect. It is also unnatural for an infant to have multiple bruises on various parts of the body. And young children do not ordinarily suffer internal injuries, broken bones, or head injuries from falling off furniture.
Location of wounds
Inflicted injuries are likely to occur on the back surface of a child's body, from the neck to the knees, or on the face. If a child's injuries have been inflicted from many directions, the pattern is not so likely to be the result of an accidental fall or collision. Wounds resulting from abuse may also take a "defensive" pattern: if the child holds up his or her arms or hands as a shield, the blows will fall on the backs of the arms or on the backs of the hands.
Multiple or frequent injuries
Multiple injuries of different ages may be indicators of abuse, depending also on the nature of the injury. When a child has a broken bone, x-rays might reveal other fractures that have healed. The age of a bruise is roughly indicated by its color. The injury is initially red, turning blue after six hours or so, then black or purple after 12-24 hours; within a few days the bruise turns greenish, fading to yellow or brown in about a week.
Bruises that form an unusual pattern
The outline of a hand may be visible on a child's face as the result of a hard slap. The marks of fingerpads may appear opposite the single bruise from a thumb if the child has been tightly gripped by the shoulder; choking may produce a similar pattern on the neck. Pinching may cause two crescent-shaped bruises, and fingernail marks may be visible. If the child is struck with an object, bruising may assume an identifiable shape.
Distinctive marks and lacerations
An adult human's bite mark can often be identified by its size, together with its distinctive shape. Welts in various linear patterns result from whipping with a strap, ruler, or belt; belt buckles may cause unusual repeated patterns of laceration. Where has occurred, frequent and excessive punishment may be suspected. Marks circling the wrists may indicate that a child has been tied up, and marks on the sides of the mouth may result from the use of a gag.
Unusual burns on a child
Cigarette burns are generally circular, and although they may appear on any part of the body, most often they are found on the palms, soles of the feet, or buttocks. Other suspicious burns may show the outline of the hot object used: an iron, for example, or the coils of an electric burner. A child instinctively withdraws immediately from something hot, and a clear imprint suggests "branding," or forceful application.
Unusual patterns of scalding
By the same token, a child who accidentally sits in too-hot water will naturally struggle and splash, possibly burning the hands as well as the buttocks and legs. The scalding that results will be irregular. A child who is forcibly immersed in hot water will more likely show clear markings on the reddened skin, such as "gloves" or "socks" on immersed hands or feet or an immersion line around the waist. White creases ("zebra" marks) may be visible where the skin folds. White circles may form on red buttocks ("doughnut" marks) where the child's weight presses the skin against the floor of the bath tub.
Suspicious-looking marks not caused by abuse
Suspicious-looking marks can be caused by medical conditions not related to abuser. "Mongolian spots," for example, are fairly common and look very much like bruises. Non-abusive but suspicious-looking burn marks can be caused by hot seat belt buckles, car seats, or skin disorders. Some children do bruise easily, so the location of the bruises and the explanations for them should be taken into account.
Accidental wounds from falls and collisions are most likely to appear on bony prominences of the body: in addition to knees and elbows, these include shins, chin, and forehead. Trained investigators and medical professionals can usually determine whether a mark or injury has been inflicted.
Head injuries
Head injuries are involved in most abuse-related deaths of small children. A serious head injury may not be externally visible. Head injuries may occur in all degrees of severity, with symptoms ranging from dizziness, vomiting, lethargy, and confusion to coma and death. It may be difficult to determine the cause of a head injury in a small child; however, children who are too young to stand or walk are unlikely to inflict such injuries on themselves by accident. For the professionals who investigate cases such as these, inconsistencies and improbabilities in the parents' accounts of the injury are particularly important.
Unexplained death of a child
Any unexplained death of a child must be investigated from the start as a homicide. Investigators must observe the scene and interview all persons with access to the child at the time of death to determine whether smothering or any other form of abuse or neglect may have occurred. It is good investigatory practice to order an autopsy in any unexplained death of a child. An autopsy cannot always determine the cause of death, however. Investigators may have to rely upon crime-scene observations and the full case history to determine whether a child has been killed by abuse or neglect or has died of a non-abuse-related medical condition such as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Investigators should proceed, bearing in mind the very painful position of a non-abusive parent whose child has died of SIDS.
Shaken Baby Syndrome
When a child is held by the shoulders or chest and shaken violently, often no external injury is visible. However, the impact of the brain on the inside of the skull may prove damaging or even fatal, especially if the child is less than two years old or is shaken repeatedly. Symptoms of injury include vomiting and seizures. An infant who is violently shaken may suffer convulsions, permanent brain damage, and death. A young child who survives a severe shaking episode may be blind, deaf, or otherwise disabled as a result. Even less violent shaking of older children may cause neurological deficits, as well as learning and behavioral disorders.
Behavioral indicators of physical abuse
In cases where there is little definite physical evidence of physical abuse, behavioral indicators may help tell the story. The child may frequently complain of pain without obvious injury or, alternatively, show an abnormal lack of reaction to pain. The child may display aggressive, disruptive, and destructive behavior; or at the other extreme, s/he may seem markedly passive, withdrawn, and emotionless. These vague and somewhat contradictory indicators may or may not be significant; however, when a child exhibits these characteristics to a noticeable degree, abuse is a possibility. People who come into contact with the child should be alert for other, more direct indicators, such as fear of going home or seeing parents, frequent absences from school or physical education class, and, of course, all the physical indicators described above.
B. Emotional Injury of a Child
The law recognizes the existence of both physical and emotional injury. Physical abuse is almost invariably accompanied by emotional injury to some degree; it is difficult to imagine that a child could suffer "substantial harm" as the result of a deliberate assault by a caregiver and not also be psychologically harmed. Moreover, angry parents who physically assault their children are likely to assault them verbally, too.
Although many physically abused children suffer emotional injury, actual emotional abuse as defined law has occurred only if the child's "growth, development, or psychological functioning" shows "observable and material impairment." Emotional injury is more subtle than physical injury, and the fact of emotional abuse is not as readily established. Emotional abuse, when it is not accompanied by some other form of abuse, is not often the basis for an investigation or legal action. Yet it can be devastating. It is psychological and emotional injury that link child abuse to some of its costliest long-term effects: substance abuse, crime, suicide, and the perpetuation of violence within families.
Forms of verbal assault
Emotional injury is inflicted on children by verbal assaults that may take the form of belittling, name-calling, screaming, threatening, blaming, and sarcasm. Other damaging verbal habits are referring to a child only as "it" or repeatedly telling the child that s/he is "worthless" or "bad." The mere fact that a caregiver verbally assaults a child (e.g., calls the child names, screams at the child) on a particular occasion is not sufficient to establish emotional abuse; the assaults must be frequent, excessive and, above all, clearly and substantially damaging to the child. Because the effects of verbal assaults are subtle and their exact cause is difficult to pinpoint, substantiating emotional abuse as part of a case requires detailed observation and testimony about the abuser 's words and actions toward the child over a period of time.
Unpredictable responses, unreasonable demands
A child may suffer emotional harm when subjected to extremely unpredictable or inconsistent responses from caregivers. Unreasonable expectations and demands can also be harmful. A child may suffer from being continually surrounded by negative moods and family discord. In some situations a child may be forced to make painful choices, perhaps between quarreling family members. Divorcing parents sometimes use their children as pawns in their own marital conflicts, and this can be damaging to the children. A child may suffer serious psychological harm from being rejected, terrorized, ignored, or isolated emotionally.
Signs of emotional injury
Signs of emotional injury include many general symptoms that could result from causes other than emotional abuse. They include withdrawal, depression or apathy; behavior problems or "acting out;" or a child who is overly rigid in conforming to instructions from teachers, doctors, and other adults. A child's behavior problems may be a fulfillment of the negative labels the abuser has applied to the child: a child is "no good" or "a slut" because that is what s/he has always been told about him/herself. An emotionally abused child may refuse verbal or physical communication with others, or express feelings of being bad or worthless. Symptoms such as these can be produced by emotional abuse, but because they may arise from other causes, they must always be considered in context.
Emotional deprivation
Emotional deprivation occurs when a child's parent or guardian withholds or withdraws affection and approval. The child may receive no attention at all, or may receive attention only when s/he does something "bad" (and then the attention is negative). In either case, the child feels unloved and unworthy. Emotional deprivation may occur when a child's caregiver abuses alcohol or other substances.
However, it cannot be presumed that a child is abused just on the grounds that his or her parent(s)have alcohol or substance abuse problems; it must also be clear that the child is suffering substantial harm.
Indicators of emotional deprivation
A child suffering from emotional deprivation may refuse to eat adequate amounts of food and fail to thrive.
S/he may be unable to perform normal learned functions for a given age (e.g., walking, talking). A child who receives only negative attention may become passive and withdrawn in order to avoid abuse, or s/he may deliberately misbehave, preferring negative attention to being completely ignored. As a result, s/he may be observed to be abnormally unresponsive, sad or withdrawn, or antisocial and obviously delinquent. Another sign of emotional deprivation is constant seeking of attention and affection from other adults such as teachers and neighbors. An emotionally deprived child may also display exaggerated fears and clinging behavior. Like other indicators of emotional abuse, the symptoms of emotional deprivation must always be taken in context.
Sexual abuse is defined in the Family Code as any sexual conduct harmful to a child's mental, emotional, or physical welfare as well as failure to make a reasonable effort to prevent sexual conduct with a child. A person who compels or encourages a child to engage in sexual conduct commits abuse, and it is against the law to make or possess child pornography or to display such material to a child.
Sexual abuse may consist of a single incident or many acts over a long period of time. Boys and girls of any age can be victims of sexual abuse. The molester can be just about anyone, but most often, it is someone known to the child. The abuse may escalate over time, particularly if the abuser is a member of the child's own family. The child's non-abusing caregiver(s) may be unaware of the abuse or may be in a state of denial.
Child sexual abuse includes fondling, lewd or lascivious exposure or behavior, intercourse, sodomy, oral copulation, penetration of a genital or anal opening by a foreign object, child pornography, child prostitution, and any other "sexual conduct harmful to a child's mental, emotional, or physical welfare." These acts may be forced upon the child or the child may be coaxed, seduced, and persuaded to cooperate. The absence of force or coercion does not diminish the abusive nature of the conduct, but, sadly, it may cause the child to feel responsible for what has occurred.
It is extremely difficult for a child to report sexual abuse. A very young child may not understand that what has happened is not normal or accepted. More importantly, the abuser almost always discourages the child from telling anyone about the abuse. The strategies for silencing a sexual abuse victim are as ruthless as they are varied. The abuser may be someone whom the child depends upon and trusts; s/he may use the child's dependency and affection to extort a promise of secrecy. A more brutal perpetrator may threaten to harm and even kill the child or other family members or pets. Or the abuser may tell the child that the family will be broken up, the child blamed, or the child taken away from home if the secret becomes known. These are not altogether unrealistic fears for the child, unfortunately.
For many people, an allegation or disclosure of sexual abuse is indeed hard to accept. This is particularly true when the perpetrator is a family member or an otherwise law-abiding, respectable, and seemingly "nice," "normal" person. Many adults have a tendency to overlook, discount, minimize, explain away, or simply disbelieve allegations of sexual abuse. Yet children rarely lie or invent stories on their own about being sexually abused. The fact that children can sometimes be manipulated or coached should not dissuade anyone from reporting a child's revelation of sexual abuse. All responsible adults, but particularly those who work with children, should be aware that sexual abuse occurs and should be alert for the opportunity to aid a child who attempts to disclose abuse. The child's need for support and protection must come first.
Recognizing disclosure of sexual abuse
Physical and psychological effects of sexual abuse are sometimes observable, but often they are not.
Physical signs may be altogether lacking and psychological symptoms may be too vague to suggest their actual cause. Very often, the only way sexual abuse is revealed is by the child's own reporting. This may be offered so obliquely and tentatively that it is simply overlooked. Adults who frequently talk to children should be alert and aware that these disclosures are often indirect ("I have a friend who.." or "What if...?"). It is also important to recognize that disclosure tends to be a process rather than an event; a child who offers a tentative hint on one occasion may need a series of conversations over time to develop the trust and confidence s/he needs to fully reveal what has happened. A full disclosure that occurs over an extended period of time should be handled by a trained professional for a number of reasons: to best attend to the child's psychological and emotional needs, to avoid tainting the child's testimony, and to adequately document the case for possible legal action.
Sexual assault by a stranger versus a family member
Sexual assault of a child is a violation of the Penal Code, regardless of whether the perpetrator is a stranger or family member. Assault by a stranger and assault by a family member may involve similar criminal charges. In addition, an assault by a family member, especially one who lives in the household with the child, may be the basis for a civil action such as removal of the child from the home. In fact, assaults by strangers are much less common than assaults by persons known to the child. Perhaps the most common scenario for child sexual assault involves the male partner of a young girl's mother (the girl is assaulted by her father, stepfather, or her mother's boyfriend).
Physical indicators of sexual abuse
Sexual abuse may result in physical injury (though most often it does not). A child who is physically injured as a result of sexual abuse may display difficulty in sitting or walking, report pain when urinating or defecating, or complain of stomachaches. S/he may report pain or itching in the genital area or a discharge. Injuries to a child's genitalia may or may not leave lasting marks; other physical evidence, such as semen, is certainly ephemeral. A child, therefore, needs to be examined as soon as possible if there is reason to suspect sexual abuse. The physical examination of a possible victim of child sexual abuse should be performed only by a qualified medical professional who is specifically trained to examine children who have been sexually assaulted. Other persons should not attempt any kind of physical examination; they should immediately report the abuse, using procedures outlined later in this handbook.
Sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy
Other physical indicators of sexual abuse include symptoms of sexually transmitted disease (STD) as well as pregnancy. STD and pregnancy are by themselves indicators that a child is sexually active; they do not by themselves establish abuse or assault. In a preteen child, abuse is strongly indicated by STD (except that infants may contract some STDs from their mothers at birth). In a teenager, further information is needed about the circumstances and the child's sexual partner, who might have been another minor about the same age, an older minor, or an adult. The sexual contact may have been assaultive or may otherwise qualify as "sexual conduct harmful to a child." Reasonable suspicions of this nature must be reported and may be investigated, depending on circumstances.
Specific behavioral indicators of sexual abuse
Children who have been sexually abused may be identified by their frequent expressions (verbal references, pictures, pretend games) of sexual activity between adults and children or by knowledge about sexual relations beyond what is probable for their age. They may masturbate inappropriately or compulsively. Their behavior may be sexually suggestive, inappropriate, or promiscuous; or, conversely, they may show infantile behavior or extreme fear of being alone with adults of a particular sex. A very strong indication that a child has been abused is that child's sexual victimization of other children.
Symptoms of emotional injury
More generalized psychological impacts of sexual abuse include withdrawal, depression, sleeping and eating disorders, self-mutilation, phobias, and psychosomatic symptoms such as stomachaches and headaches. The child may develop school problems such as frequent absence or a sudden drop in grades. The child may exhibit either poor hygiene or excessive bathing. Older children may abuse alcohol or drugs, run away, or adopt other self-destructive behaviors including suicide threats or attempts. Any or all of these behaviors can arise from causes other than sexual abuse; however, in context, any one of them could be taken as a warning that some form of harmful sexual conduct has occurred or is still occurring.
A child's parent, guardian, or conservator is responsible for either directly providing safe and adequate food, clothing, shelter, protection, medical care, and supervision for the child, or arranging to have someone else provide these needs. Neglect, as defined by the Family Code, Chapter 261 on child abuse and neglect, is the failure to meet this responsibility. Neglect, like other forms of abuse, must involve "observable and material impairment" or "substantial risk" to the child, in order for the civil statute to apply. In addition, the Penal Code provides criminal sanctions against anyone who knowingly abandons or endangers a child.
Failing to arrange for the care of a child
The caregiver must arrange for necessary care and supervision during any period of time when the caregiver is absent and does not intend to return. Neglect includes placing the child in or failing to remove a child from a situation where the child is exposed to "substantial risk" of harm. Neglect also includes placing a child in or failing to remove a child from a situation requiring judgment beyond the child's years or capabilities. Here again, to qualify as neglect, the acts or omissions must result in harm or substantial risk of harm to the child.
How long can a child be left unattended?
The law provides few guidelines as to how long a child may be left unattended. The law does specify that a caregiver cannot leave a child under age five unattended in a car for more than five minutes, unless a person aged 14 or older is watching over the child. However, there is no set length of time a "latchkey" child of school age may be left unattended. The child's maturity, the proximity of helpful adults, and a number of other circumstances must be taken into account. As always, the ultimate guideline for determining whether a child is being left unattended too long is whether the child suffers actual harm, or is at substantial risk of being harmed, due to lack of supervision.
Failing to provide a child with food, clothing, or shelter
Failure to provide the child with food, clothing, or shelter necessary to sustain the life or health of the child may be considered neglect as long as the failure is not primarily caused by financial need.
Caregivers who are impoverished are not neglectful unless the child is harmed or substantially at risk of harm and relief services have been offered and refused. Lack of heating or plumbing in the home does not mean that the children in the home are neglected. On the other hand, failure to prepare meals, spoiled food in the refrigerator or cupboards, and severe infestations of insects and rodents are possible indicators of neglect. However, the totality of circumstances must be taken into account. Neglect generally involves conditions that are extreme, persistent, and substantially damaging to the child.
Failing to seek, obtain, or follow through with medical care
A parent, guardian, or conservator who fails to seek, obtain, or follow through with medical care for a child may be guilty of neglect. The need for medical care must entail a substantial risk of death, disfigurement, injury, or impairment. Caregivers who refuse medical care for religious reasons are not considered to be neglectful, but may still need to be reported. In extreme cases the court may order treatment for the child over the parents' wishes. Caregivers who cannot afford medical treatment are also not considered to be neglectful unless they have been informed of and have refused free or affordable treatment. Some parents who commit physical and sexual abuse are guilty of medical neglect because of their wish to keep the abuse secret.
Failure to permit the child to return home
The law requires the person responsible for a child to permit the child to return home, or else to arrange for the necessary care for the child, after the child has been absent from the home. The fact that the child has run away or been in residential placement does not in any way diminish the responsibility of the parent, guardian, or conservator to care for the child, either by taking the child back into the home or by making other arrangements.
Indicators of neglect
Physical signs of neglect include obvious malnourishment, lack of personal cleanliness, torn and/or dirty clothes, insufficient clothing for warmth and protection, or need for glasses, dental care, or other medical attention. Behavioral indicators of neglect include stealing, hoarding, or begging for food and frequent absence or tardiness at school. A child that is always hungry, tired, and listless may be neglected. For the situation to indicate neglect under the law, the child's condition must not result solely from the caregiver's lack of financial resources (unless aid has been offered and refused), and the child's condition must be severe, chronic, and threatening to the child's health. The child may say that no one cares for him or her, or may describe being alone, caring for younger children, or doing dangerous things (a very young child bathing an infant, for example, or being allowed or instructed to use power tools).
Child abuse can occur in any social, cultural, or economic class. Women are somewhat more likely to be the abuser than men; women are more likely to be caregivers. Most often when a child is injured, the perpetrator is someone known to the child. Most often it is the child's parent, guardian, or conservator; some other household or family member; or another person with regular access to the child. This is true of both physical and sexual abuse; strangers account for only about one in five harmful acts toward children.
Abusive parents may have been abused themselves as children. They may have very limited parenting skills, believing strongly in and relying almost solely upon corporal punishment for discipline. These are likely to be parents who experience great frustration in their efforts to make their children behave as they wish. Parents with a tendency to abuse their children are even more likely to do so under the stress that accompanies divorce, unemployment, or other family crises.
A special child
In some families, one child will be singled out for abuse. The parents may describe the child as being bad or a liar, or even "evil," a "witch," or a "monster." This child often has a special disadvantage such as attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity, deformity, or handicap; the child may have been unplanned or unwanted; or the child may simply be considered disappointing by the parent or caregiver for some reason. Other children in the family may escape mistreatment. If the targeted child is removed from the family, another child may be selected for abuse instead.
Parents who hide a child's injuries
Parents who abuse their children may show little concern for their children's injuries, and will often go to great lengths to protect themselves (or their abusive spouses) from blame. Abusive families may become isolated to prevent the chance of anyone's observing the abuse. They may move frequently, disappearing whenever anyone shows concern or suspicion. The child's injuries may go untreated as long as possible, and when medical attention is unavoidable, the abusive parent usually will avoid going to a doctor who has attended the child for injuries in the past. The parent's account of how the child was injured is likely to be inconsistent or improbable. Depending on the child's injuries, abuse may be suspected when a parent takes a child to a hospital that is unnecessarily far from home, bypassing closer, equally well-equipped medical facilities.
Child molesters
The child molester is sexually attracted to children (usually children of a certain age) and assaults them to obtain sexual gratification. While anyone of any age, race, or gender can be a child molester, this person is typically an adult heterosexual male. Most often, molestation is not a "stranger" assault, and may not involve force. Many child molesters relate quite well to children and seek out professions, jobs, or volunteer positions that give them access to children. They often make or collect child pornography.
Their methods of seduction may include bribes and the use of pornography depicting sex between adults and children the age of the intended victim. The relationship with the child may develop over a period of weeks or months, becoming increasingly coercive and invasive. Child molesters repeatedly offend and may molest or attempt to molest literally hundreds of children before being caught. The victims, while frequently befriended by the child molester, are generally not related by blood or marriage.
Spouse abusers, violent families
In many families where spousal abuse occurs, the children are also abused. In most such families, it is the male partner who is violent toward other family members. In 2003, according to the Texas Department of Safety, 78 percent of all family violence offenders were male. Even if they are not abused, the children in these families are harmed by witnessing the violent assaults on their mothers. In addition, they may be injured during an incident of parental violence or traumatized by fear. They may blame themselves for not preventing the violence, or think that they have caused it. They may be neglected.
Studies have shown that adjustment difficulties evident in children who witness spousal violence are similar to problems found in children who are abused. Any intervention involving spousal violence should include attention to the needs of any children in the family. Legislation passed in 1995 requires TDFPS to direct its employees to document indications of domestic violence and to make available information about community services for adult victims of domestic violence. New laws also provide that when a child has a protective parent remaining in the home, the child should not be removed from the home; rather, TDFPS should seek a protective order against the abuser.
Abused children who become abusers
Some abusers are themselves children. Children can become aggressive toward other children for a number of reasons. They may be copying adults who are role models for them (parents, for example). Or they simply may not have learned how to play with smaller children. When an older child victimizes younger children or animals, the older child has frequently been abused, too. If the children are anywhere near the same age and size, the incident, however one-sided, is unlikely to qualify as abuse or assault, but this depends on the context. If the aggression is severe or sexual in nature, it may be regarded as abusive and/or assaultive. It may, in fact, be a turning point for the older child; that child may be at the point of discovering that he prefers to play the role of the more powerful aggressor in a scene that is all too familiar to him.
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omkar abhang
Mastic Sealant Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends & Forecast 2016 - 2024
News • Feb 02, 2017 15:21 EST
Mastic sealant is a flexible, liquid sealant. It protects surfaces even after drying. Mastic sealant can adhere to materials such as aluminum, glass, concrete, wood, marble, steel, and duct board, thus maintaining a durable bond for long period. It is used in bathtubs, and connecting windows and structures in the residential sector. It can also be employed to fill cracks in various masonry applications in the nonresidential sector. Furthermore, mastic sealant is used in roofing, brick structures, and even cars and boats to keep them dust-free. It is waterproof and highly resistant to low and high temperatures due to the presence of ultraviolet (UV) inhibitors. Additionally, mastic sealant works well with metals; it usually does not corrode them over time. Mastic sealant is also used in load-bearing walls and ceiling applications.
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Based on type, the market for mastic sealant can be segmented into oil based mastic sealant, silicone sanitary grade, glazing silicone, rubber based, acrylic, caulk, polyurethane, and high temperature based. Oil based mastic sealant remains fluid under a fast forming skin and can be painted even if being allowed to dry. Silicone sanitary grade type sealant, which consists of a long chain of polymer, is used to seal bath or basin areas. Glazing silicon is employed to seal nonporous substrates. Rubber based sealant is used to seal cracks in flat roofs and gutters. Thus, it can be employed in damp conditions. Rubber based sealant can adhere to bitumen as well as plastic substrates. Acrylic sealant is a water based sealant, which can be used in wooden substrates. Caulk type sealant is employed to fill cracks and sealing gaps in skirting boards. Polyurethane type sealant can be used in dry conditions due to its prime features such as high tensile strength. High temperature sealant is used to seal fire ducts that need to be protected from heat. The rubber based segment is expected to expand significantly during the forecast period primarily due to the high workability, tensile strength, and adhesion of these type of sealants. This is anticipated to drive the mastic sealant market across the globe.
Rise in demand for mastic sealant in various applications, such as pressure sensitive, construction, furniture, and automotive, is estimated to drive the mastic sealant market during the forecast period. Easy penetration of substrates, material insolubility, and resistance to corrosion are some of the key features estimated to boost the mastic sealant market during the forecast period. Mastic sealant is not used in applications that require extreme joint movements due to its flexibility. It can work well in thick applications such as large cracks and gaps rather than in thinner areas. These are some of the challenges for market players. However, manufacturers are coming up with newly formulated mastic sealant products that provide good workability even in applications entailing extreme joint movements.
In terms of region, the global market for mastic sealant can be segmented into North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is anticipated to dominate the mastic sealant market in the near future primarily due to the rapid industrialization and urbanization in countries such as China and India. Various end-use industries such as automotive, construction, residential, and nonresidential have been expanding due to the increase in urbanization and industrialization. This, in turn, is boosting the mastic sealant market. Rise in road and infrastructure maintenance activities in countries such as the U.S., Germany, and Australia is also driving the demand for mastic sealant.
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Key players operating in the mastic sealant market include Wacker Chemie AG, H.B. Fuller, Mapei U.K. Ltd, ADCO Global, Inc., and Bostik Philippines Inc.
The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.


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