Discussion Board

Child Maltreatment and Intra-Familial Violence

Clinical Social Work with Urban Children Youth & Families

Child Maltreatment

Broad definition that encompasses a wide range of parental acts or behaviors that place children at risk of serious or physical or emotional harm

It is defined by law in each state

Labels used in state statutes vary

Categories of Abuse

• Neglect • Physical Abuse • Sexual Abuse • Emotional Abuse

Neglect

Definition of Neglect The failure of a parent, guardian, or other caregiver to provide for a child’s basic needs. This can also include failure to protect them from a known risk of harm or danger.

Examples of Neglect

Child is frequently absent from school

Begs or steals food or money

Lacks needed medical or dental

care, immunizations, glasses, etc.

Consistently dirty and has severe body

odor

Lacks sufficient clothing for the

weather

Abuses alcohol or drugs

States that there is no one at home to

provide care

Physical Abuse

Examples of Physical Abuse • Visible unexplained burns, bites,

bruises, broken bones, or black eyes • Has fading bruises or other marks

noticeable after an absence from school

• Seems frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home

• Shrinks at the approach of adults • Reports injury by a parent or another

adult caregiver

Definition of Physical Abuse The non-accidental physical injury of a child

Sexual Abuse

Definition of Sexual Abuse Anything done with a child for the sexual gratification of an adult or older child

Examples of Sexual Abuse

Has difficulty walking or sitting

Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical

activities

Reports nightmares or bedwetting

Experiences a sudden change in appetite

Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual

knowledge or behavior

Becomes pregnant or contracts a sexually transmitted disease

Runs away

Emotional Abuse

Definition of Emotional Abuse A pattern of behavior that impairs a child’s emotional development or sense of self-worth

Examples of Emotional Abuse • Shows extremes in behavior • Inappropriately adult or infantile • Is delayed in physical or

emotional development • Has attempted suicide • Reports a lack of attachment to

the parent

Protective Factors • Protective factors are conditions or attributes of individuals, families,

communities, or the larger society that, when present, promote wellbeing and reduce the risk for negative outcomes

• Parental Resilience • Social Connections • Knowledge of Child Development • Concrete Support In Times of Need • Social and Emotional Competence of the Child

Intra-Family Violence

• Intra-family violence: a pattern of abusive behaviors by one family member against another.

• Domestic and family violence occurs when someone tries to control their partner or other family members in ways that intimidate or oppress them.

• Controlling behaviors can include threats, humiliation (‘put downs’), emotional abuse, physical assault, sexual abuse, financial exploitation and social isolations, such as not allowing contact with family or friends

• Family violence means conduct, whether actual or threatened, by a person towards, or towards the property of, a member of the person’s family that causes that or any other member of the person’s family to fear for, or to be apprehensive about, his or her personal well being or safety.

Family Violence Information • Children may be exposed to domestic violence both directly (when they witness violence or are

physically harmed, either accidentally or on purpose, as a result of the violence) and indirectly (when they overhear abusive communication between partners, experience the aftermath of an incident, or hear about it through other avenues of communication).

• An alarming number of children are maltreated or exposed to domestic violence in the United States each year.

• Approximately four million referrals for alleged maltreatment are made to child protective agencies each year.

• Researchers have estimated that between 3.3 million and 10 million children are exposed to adult domestic violence each year.

• In an estimated 30 to 60 percent of families in which either child maltreatment or exposure to adult domestic violence is occurring, the other form of violence also is being perpetrated.

Protective Factors for Children Exposed to Violence

Individual Level

• Self- regulation skills

• Problem- solving skills

Relationship Level

• Parenting competencies

• Parent or caregiver well-being

Community Level

• Positive school environment

Using Protective Factors for Children Exposed to Family Violence (Individual Level)

• Self-regulation skills: emotional awareness, anger management, stress management, and cognitive coping skills.

• For children exposed to domestic violence, self-regulation skills are related to resiliency; having supportive friends; reductions in internalizing problems; better cognitive functioning; and decreases in posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and overall behavior problems.

• Problem-solving skills: adaptive functioning and the ability to solve problems were also found to be important protective factors for many children who are exposed to family violence and are primarily related to improved mental health.

Using Protective Factors for Children Exposed to Family Violence (Relationship Level)

• Parenting competencies: Defined as parental acceptance or responsiveness, maternal warmth, strong parent-child bonds, and emotional support, there is strong evidence linking parenting competencies to positive outcomes for children exposed to domestic violence.

• These outcomes include increases in self-esteem, lower risk of antisocial behavior, and a lower likelihood of running away and of teen pregnancy.

• Parent or caregiver well-being: Children whose parents demonstrate positive psychological functioning (e.g., lower rates of depression and other mental health problems) have shown higher levels of resilient behavior and better mental health outcomes than other young people who are exposed to domestic violence.

Using Protective Factors for Children Exposed to Family Violence (Community Level)

• Positive school environment: School-based interventions for youth exposed to domestic violence have found that these programs can help to reduce traumatic stress disorder symptoms, depression, psychosocial dysfunction, and physical dating violence.