April is Child Abuse Prevention Awareness month, and while the physical signs of abuse may be readily apparent, the effects of emotional abuse are not as easily recognizable yet can last a lifetime. Emotional abuse includes child neglect, unreasonable threats, put-downs, and using extreme forms of discipline or punishment. Neglect of a child also involves withholding love, affection and physical attention that is needed for their well-being and healthy development.
Children depend on their parents and the adults in their life for security, acceptance and guidance. Yet, they are most often abused by someone they know and trust such as a parent, relative or family friend. When they are harmed by an adult, especially someone they know, they will become fearful and uncertain, and their emotional development can be seriously limited. As a result, when these children reach adolescence and then adulthood, are often unable to express their feelings properly, or they have difficulty understanding or relating to the feelings and needs of others. A lack of trust plus poor emotional development makes it very difficult to form and maintain meaningful relationships as an adult, including marriage and parenthood. In addition, adults who were abused as children often treat their own children the same, and the cycle of abuse continues.
Adults who abuse children come from all social and economic backgrounds. They usually have a history of being abused as a child, low self-esteem, and poor control over their own feelings and emotions. Contributing factors include a lack of understanding of child development, poor parenting skills, strained personal relationships, stress, and substance abuse.
If abuse is obvious or even suspected, it needs to be reported in order to protect the child from further harm and to get help for the family and adults involved. Every state has laws requiring certain people such as teachers, child-care providers, health-care workers, and mental health professionals to report known or suspected cases, and there are many resources available for help and referral information.
Contributed by Karen Schueler, MS, LCPC, Manager, PEO--Prevention, Education and Outreach Department.
Mail questions to: High Plains Mental Health Center, PLAIN SENSE, Prevention, Education, and Outreach Department, 208 East 7th, Hays, KS 67601; or visit www.highplainsmentalhealth.com.
3/24/08
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Date: 3/17/08
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