Children and Violence
How does violence in the home affect children?
Children who are exposed to violence on a regular basis often experience many of the same symptoms and lasting effects as children who are victims of violence themselves, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Often parents believe that they have shielded their children from spousal violence, but research shows that children see or hear 40% to 80% of it.
These kids can feel emotional and physical “aftershocks” for months or even years. – HealthyChildren.org
Children may experience violence in many settings, including at home, in school, online or in neighborhoods, and in many forms, such as bullying or harassment by peers, domestic violence, child maltreatment and community violence. Children exposed to violence are more likely to have difficulty in school, abuse drugs or alcohol, act aggressively, suffer from depression or other mental health problems and engage in criminal behavior as adults.
What is Child Abuse?
Child abuse is the physical, psychological, social, emotional or sexual maltreatment of a child. It harms or endangers the survival, safety, self esteem, growth and/or development of the child. It can involve a single act or a pattern of incidents.
One important fact about child abuse: children rarely mistake it or lie about it.
Neglect is the most common reason for investigation, followed by physical abuse, emotional maltreatment and sexual abuse. Girls and boys are equally likely to be abused, but boys are more likely to be physically abused and girls sexually abused.
How can you help?
Learn the signs of abuse, and if you suspect a child is suffering from abuse or neglect, it’s important to speak out. By catching the problem as early as possible, both the child and the abuser can get the help they need.
It’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed and confused. Child abuse is a difficult subject that can be hard to accept and even harder to talk about—for both you and the child. When talking with an abused child, the best way to encourage them is to show calm reassurance and unconditional support. Avoid denial and remain calm. A common reaction to news as unpleasant and shocking as child abuse is denial. However, if you display denial to a child, or show shock or disgust at what they are saying, the child may be afraid to continue and will shut down.
Grooming: What is it?
One important fact about child abuse: children rarely mistake it or lie about it.
But what about when they don’t know?
Grooming occurs when someone builds a relationship, trust and emotional connection with a child or young person and their family so they can manipulate, exploit and abuse the child.
The adult will build this relationship with the child, and slowly build up their actions.
For example; Beginning by tickling the child in a normal manner but slowly becoming more and more intimate while tickling, telling the child it is normal; “It feels good doesn’t it? Why would it be bad?”. The child trusts this adult, and knows their parents trust them as well, so there is no reason to believe they could be doing anything wrong.
Grooming informational videos – Trigger Warning