An ineffective diagnosis can have detrimental emotional consequences for the family and may even expose the child to future potentially fatal episodes of abuse. The margin of error in cases of abuse is negligible, therefore, making its diagnosis a momentous as well as challenging clinical task. For effective results, it is essential to remain mindful of all background factors, such as the caregiver setting and the prevalence of child maltreatment in the concerned community while acknowledging the possibility of natural causes (genetic diseases such as osteogenesis imperfecta and hemophilia, or acquired abnormalities) that can mimic NAT and cause confusion in diagnosis and treatment. We analyze various abuse lesions such as radiological (visceral and skeletal lesions and those associated with head trauma) and cutaneous (burns, bruises, bites, etc.) to enhance streamlined identification of injuries in cases of physical child abuse. If you don’t deal with it, it can come back to hurt you.” On the other hand, children who have the support of an understanding caregiver and effective treatment can recover without long-term effects.Child abuse is a preventable phenomenon of considerable concern resulting in significant child mortality and morbidity. As one child expressed it, “Abuse is like a boomerang. Sadly, when children do not disclose sexual abuse and/or do not receive effective counseling, they can suffer difficulties long into the future. Their ability to trust adults to take care of them may also be jeopardized. Those who have suffered multiple traumas and received little parental support may develop post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Depending on the severity of and number of traumas experienced, child sexual abuse can have wide-reaching and long-lasting effects. Research has repeatedly shown that child sexual abuse can have a very serious impact on physical and mental health, as well as later sexual adjustment. Self-cutting and suicidal behaviors are also more common among adolescents. A teenager avoiding traumatic reminders may withdraw socially. Teenagers might be more likely to abuse substances or engage in high-risk behaviors, including indiscriminant sexual behavior. The child might talk about her body as being “hurt” or “dirty.”Īs children grow into adolescence and develop more autonomy, the difficulties they can get into may be more serious. The child might engage in age-inappropriate sexual behavior such as trying to engage another child in oral-genital contact or simulated intercourse. You might see other signs of stress, an increase in oppositional or withdrawn behavior, tantrums, or nightmares. The play may or may not be specific to the sexual abuse. For example, a child may act out running away from a “bad man” over and over again. Very young children might engage in traumatic play in which the child re-enacts some aspect of the experience. It is therefore critical to focus not only on detection, but on prevention and communication-by teaching children about body safety and healthy body boundaries, and by encouraging open communication about sexual matters. Sexual knowledge, language, and/or behaviors that are inappropriate for the child’s ageĪlthough many children who have experienced sexual abuse show behavioral and emotional changes, many others do not.Not wanting to be left alone with a particular individual(s).An increase in nightmares and/or other sleeping difficulties. Children who have been sexually abused may display a range of emotional and behavioral reactions, many of which are characteristic of children who have experienced other types of trauma.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |