Abuse and Neglect
Abuse and neglect happens to children of all races, socio-economic classes, religions, family structures, and communities. The Office of Child Abuse and Neglect reports, “while certain factors often are present among families where maltreatment occurs, this does not mean that the presence of these factors will always result in child abuse and neglect. The factors that may contribute to maltreatment in one family may not result in child abuse and neglect in another family. For example, researchers note the relation between poverty and maltreatment, yet it must be noted that most people living in poverty do not harm their children.”[12]
Below is a breakdown of areas of abuse and neglect and possible ways children may display the effects of this maltreatment. These displays are not necessarily because of maltreatment. They may be the result of one or multiple other circumstances. During a visitation or home-visit, it is important to note any of these behaviors and compare them with the other information you have gathered in order to make more accurate conclusions about whether or not children have experienced abuse or neglect.
Physical abuse - a non-accidental physical injury, with the potential to result in consequences including death, brain damage, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities and sensory deficits.
Displays of physical abuse in children:
Impaired capacity to enjoy life
Psychiatric symptoms
Low self-esteem
Learning problems in school
Withdrawal
Hyper-vigilance
Compulsivity
Pseudomature behavior
Sexual abuse - an assault or other crime of a sexual nature[13]
Displays of sexual abuse in children:
Fear or anxiety
Depression
Difficulties in school
Anger or hostility
Inappropriate sexualized behavior
Running away
Delinquency
Neglect - Neglectful parents withhold attention, do not stimulate children, and rarely make physical or emotional contact.[14] Neglect differs from the dynamics of physical and sexual abuse because physically abused children receive attention from their parents (even though it is inappropriate and damaging).
Displays of neglect in children:
Detachment
Repression of feelings
Impaired ability to empathize with others
Violence
Decrease in general intellectual ability
Domestic Violence - In infants, toddlers, and preschool children, the experience of violence leads to a disruption of normative developmental processes. Domestic Violence will be further covered later in this Module.
Displays of children exposed to domestic violence:
High levels of internalizing and externalizing problems
Emotional dysregulation
Sleep disturbances
Bouts of fear and uncontrolled crying
Regression in developmental achievements
Difficulty establishing relationships
Aggression and non-compliance
Pynoos, R.S. and Nader, K., 1988[15]
See also Module 3, Handout #2 for Displays of Abuse and Neglect at the end of the Module or by clicking here.
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