"Abuse is the physical, emotional, sexual, or spiritual mistreatment of others. It may not only harm the body, but it can deeply affect the mind and spirit, destroying faith and causing confusion, doubt, mistrust, guilt, and fear." (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (1995). Responding to abuse: Helps for ecclesiastical leaders. Salt Lake City: Author.)
Child Abuse and Neglect
"A national survey in the United States found that during a one-year span of time, one in seven children between ages 2 and 17 were victims of maltreatment, including physical, sexual, or psychological/emotional abuse, child neglect, and custodial interference or family abduction." (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Child maltreatment: Consequences. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/childmaltreatment/consequences.html.)
***Something to remember is that not all people who have had abusive childhoods are able to learn healthy relationship skills and succeed as parents.
"With regard to physical abuse in the United States, research suggests that at least three fourths of parents have used som form of physical discipline at some point in their parenting (such as spanking), and more than one half have used tactics such as hitting with fists, striking children with sticks or belts, kicking, pushing, or even throwing children." (Barnett, O. W., Miller-Perrin, C. L., & Perrin, R. D. (2011). Family violence across the lifespan: An introduction (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.)
Spanking is an accepted practice in the United States, but if it becomes frequent, reflexive, and thoughtless it will become less effective over time. Spanking can teach what not to do, but it doesn't teach what to do. That is the communication of the parents of positive instruction.
*** How do you feel about spanking?
Children who are punished physically are more likely to fight other children, use aggression to solve problems, and to bully.
Sexual abuse is a violation of sacred moral agency and, for the perpetrato, is a particular atrocity because it is a violation of the soul and the sacred God- given power of procreation. Those who are vulnerable are its victims, and it has the potential to cause later difficulties to the sexual- and symbolic- union between husband and wife.
Sexual abuse is the most hidden and secretive form of maltreatment.
"Accurate numbers of sufferers are unknown, but existing data suggests that worldwide, approximately 20 percent of women and 5 to 10 percent of men were sexually abused as children." (World Health Organization. (2002). World report on violence and health: summary. Geneva: Author.)
"Most sex abusers are male (at least 75 percent) and most who abuse sexually have developed deviant sexual interest by age 18. (Miller-Perrin, C. L., & Perrin, R. D. (2007). Child maltreatment: an introduction (2nd ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.)
"Although psychological abuse tends to happen in tandem with other maltreatment, its consequences can be as harmful as or even more harmful than physical abuse." (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Child maltreatment: Consequences. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/childmaltreatment/consequences.html.)
Any parent can lash out, fail to meet a need, or become critical. Psychological abuse is more frequent, intense, and negative patterns of the same behavior. Psychological abuse can be the cause of social impairment, low self esteem, suicidal thoughts, problems in social interactions, and acting out.
Consequences of Child Abuse
The consequences of physical abuse are often manifest in externalizing problems.
- delinquency
- aggression
The consequences of sexual abuse are often manifest in internalizing behaviors.
- depression
- anxiety
- low self-esteem
The consequences of abuse can differ, ranging from mild to severe and from short term to long term, and the consequences can manifest in diverse ways--physically, psychologically, behaviorally, and in interpersonal relationships.
Physical Abuse
- bruises
- injuries
- impaired brain and cognitive function
- poor perceptual
- motor skills
- poor academic achievement
- anxiety
- depression
- irritability
- dissociation
- impaired self-image
- attachment problems
- impaired social skills
- peer rejection
- PTSD (hyperarousal and hypervigilance)
- ODD
- ADHD
- criminal and violent behavior
- abuse intimate partners
- abuse alcohol and other substances
- emotional problems
- physical and reproductive health problems
- difficulties in maintaining a healthy sexual relationship
- sexually transmitted infections
- mental health issues
- self-blame and shame
- negative and avoidant ways of coping
- interpersonal problems
- emotional distress
- insomnia
- feelings of helplessness in avoiding victimization
- substance use to dull the pain
Psychological Abuse and Neglect
- emotional problems
- intellectual deficits
- shame
- guilt
- insecure attachment
- increase anger and aggression
- disruptive behavior
- difficulty in making and keeping friends
- negative views of life
- depression
- suicidal ideation
- personality disorders
- can lead to social, cognitive, behavioral, and academic difficulties; emotional problems; physical dysfunction
Remember!!!!
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