"Not all wounds are visible."
Psychological abuse, also referred to as emotional abuse, is different for everyone that experiences it. There are varying degrees and intensity of this type of abuse, the impact and lasting effect varies immensely between those that have experienced it. There are also many factors that play a part in the effect it has on a child such as, how long the abuse been going on for, what is the severity of the abuse and how often does it occur? It is difficult to know how common this form of abuse is, specifically on children. There are many behaviors’ that could be considered abusive, there is no way of knowing how many instances go unreported and children often do not realize what is happening to them, or understand that they are …show more content…
How can frontline workers better understand and support children that have suffered this type of abuse? The most common two methods of interventions are: effects-based approaches and behaviour-based approaches (Hamarman and Bernet 2000, 928-930). The effects-based models look at the effect of harm the child has experienced rather than the behaviour of the abuser. The harm inflicted on a child could result in any of the following and others; depression, low self esteem, anxiety, self-harming behaviour, posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic stress. “This approach is typically adopted by healthcare, counseling and mental health services to treat the effects of the abuse on the victim's feelings, brain development and cognitive functioning. The behaviour-based approach focuses on the behaviour of the abuser. Other agencies, such as the police, focus more closely on the behaviour of the abuser and thus respond with the behaviour-based approach.” (Champagne 2004; Gondolf 1998). These are models to help professionals identify psychological abuse, not to be confused with approaches in counseling or therapy
Psychological abuse, also referred to as emotional abuse, is different for everyone that experiences it. There are varying degrees and intensity of this type of abuse, the impact and lasting effect varies immensely between those that have experienced it. There are also many factors that play a part in the effect it has on a child such as, how long the abuse been going on for, what is the severity of the abuse and how often does it occur? It is difficult to know how common this form of abuse is, specifically on children. There are many behaviors’ that could be considered abusive, there is no way of knowing how many instances go unreported and children often do not realize what is happening to them, or understand that they are …show more content…
How can frontline workers better understand and support children that have suffered this type of abuse? The most common two methods of interventions are: effects-based approaches and behaviour-based approaches (Hamarman and Bernet 2000, 928-930). The effects-based models look at the effect of harm the child has experienced rather than the behaviour of the abuser. The harm inflicted on a child could result in any of the following and others; depression, low self esteem, anxiety, self-harming behaviour, posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic stress. “This approach is typically adopted by healthcare, counseling and mental health services to treat the effects of the abuse on the victim's feelings, brain development and cognitive functioning. The behaviour-based approach focuses on the behaviour of the abuser. Other agencies, such as the police, focus more closely on the behaviour of the abuser and thus respond with the behaviour-based approach.” (Champagne 2004; Gondolf 1998). These are models to help professionals identify psychological abuse, not to be confused with approaches in counseling or therapy