|
•
Answers to Common Questions About Child
Abuse and Neglect
What is Happening
Emotionally?
•
Guilt - feeling/responsible
•
Shame - this doesn't happen to my friends
•
Fear of expressing feelings
•
Confusion - Conflicted loyalties
•
Anger about the violence and chaos
•
Depressed/Helpless/Powerless to change things
•
Grief over family losses
•
Worthless or undervalued
What is Happening
Socially?
• Isolated - without friends or support
• Difficulty trusting others
• Poor conflict resolution skills
• Maybe excessively socially active
• Maybe passive with others and/or seek power to be aggressor/bully
What is Happening
Behaviorally?
• Acting out or withdraw
• Overachiever or underachiever
• Refusal to go to school
• Aggressive or passive
• Rigid defenses - aloof, sarcastic, blaming, defensive
• Attention seeking behaviors
• Bedwetting, Nightmares
What is Happening Physically?
• Complaints - headaches, stomachaches, asthma, etc.
• Nervous, anxious
• Tired, lethargic
• Sick - Often with colds, flu
• Personal hygiene neglected
• Regression in development tasks - bedwetting - thumb sucking
• No reaction at times of physical pain
What is Happening Cognitively?
• They are learning to feel responsible for the violence
• Learning to blame others for their behavior
• Learning to have a low self concept
• Learning to not ask for what they need
• Learning to feel anger is bad
• Learning that it is ok to hit those you care about to get what you
want
Infants and Toddlers
• Developmental Delays
• Failure to Thrive - This is due to the chaotic, loud environment
• Emotional Withdrawal - Low frustration tolerance
• Physical Problems - Frequent colds, ear infections, diarrhea
Symptoms in Children Who Witness
Their Mother's Abuse
• Sleeplessness, fears of going to sleep, nightmares, dreams of danger
• Headaches, stomachaches
• Anxiety about being hurt or killed
• Fighting with others, hurting other children or animals
• Temper tantrums
• Withdrawal from other people and activities
• Listlessness, depression, little energy for life
• Feelings of loneliness and isolation
• Fears of going to school or of leaving mother alone, truancy
• Stealing, lying
• Frozen watchfulness or excessive fear around the abusive person
• Acting perfect, overachieving, looking like small adults
• Worrying, difficulties concentrating and paying attention
• Bedwetting
• Eating disorders
|
| QUICK FACTS ON
CHILDREN AT RISK |
•
Between 3.3 and 10 million children live in homes where domestic
violence takes place.
•
In these homes, child abuse and neglect is 15 times more likely.
•
The risk of sexual abuse is 7 times greater for girls whose fathers
batter their mothers.
•
75% of boys who witness domestic violence have been found to have
demonstrable behavioral problems.
•
50% to 70% of men who assault their partners also abuse their children.
• Male children who witness partner violence are 3 times more likely to
abuse their partners as adults.
• Research results suggest that battering is the single most common
factor among mothers of abused children.
• In one study, 27% of domestic homicide victims were children.
• When a children is killed during a domestic dispute, 90% are under age
10, 56% are under age 2.
Boys from homes where domestic violence is present are:
• 4 times more likely to abuse in a dating relationship.
• 25 times more likely to commit rape as an adult.
• 6 times more likely to commit suicide.
• Have a 74% greater chance of committing crimes against others.
• Have a 24% greater chance of committing a sexual assault as an adult.
• AND 1000 times more likely to commit violent acts against their own
children. |
|
