Miller,
Geidel and Associates 
Non-Profit Family Counseling Center
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Non-Profit Family Counseling Center
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VICTIMS
OF CRIME: GETTING HELP
Emergency Help Police/fire/paramedic response .. .911 Los Angeles County Sheriff Non-emergency calls.. (661) 255-1121 Association to Aid Victims of Domestic Violence Shelter, assistance and education to victims and their families ..... ..(661) 259-4357 State Board of Control for Victims of Crime State funded victim and witness services . ..(800) 777-9229 National Domestic Violence Hotline Information and referrals to local services .. (800) 799-7233
The following information was taken from the Family Violence Resource Guide prepared by the Mental Health Professionals from the Behavioral Health Services Program at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital. CHILD
ABUSE What is child abuse? For many people the definition of child abuse involves some sort of physical harm to a child. While physical harm is sometimes involved, child abuse can happen in several ways:
It is important to realize that any of these forms of abuse can have severe and long-lasting consequences for the child involved. As adults, children who have been abused can struggle with depression, anxiety and relational difficulties throughout their lives. For some the effects can produce even more damaging results.
PHYSICAL
ABUSE As
mentioned above, physical abuse is the kind of abuse most people imagine when
asked about child abuse. Physical
abuse is defined as any act which results in non-accidental physical injury. To give you a better understanding of physical abuse there
are several historical and behavioral factors to consider in determining
physical abuse.
· The child is excessively passive, overly compliant, apathetic, withdrawn or fearful, or at the other extreme excessively aggressive, destructive or physically violent. ·
The child, parent/caretaker attempts to hide injuries; child wears
excessive clothing, particularly in hot weather, child is frequently absent from
school and or P.E. classes. ·
The child is frightened to go home. ·
The child is clingy and forms indiscriminate attachments. ·
The child is apprehensive when other children cry. ·
The child is wary of physical contact with adults. ·
The child exhibits drastic behavior changes in and out of
parental/caretaker presence. ·
The child is hyper vigilant. ·
The child suffers from seizures or vomiting. ·
The child exhibits depression, self-mutilation, suicide attempts,
substance abuse or sleep and eating disorders. The kinds of injuries associated with physical abuse vary, but generally fall into seven categories which include bruises, abrasions and lacerations, bite marks, burns, head injury, damage to internal organs and bone fractures. It is important to remember that most people will not have the training or expertise to determine if an injury is abuse related. Because of this, it is important that any case of suspected abuse be reported so that the proper professional follow-up can occur.
SEXUAL
ABUSE Defined
as sexual assault on or the sexual exploitation of a minor, sexual abuse is
perhaps the most disturbing and often least understood and discussed forms of
child abuse. Sexual abuse can
include many behaviors. It may
consist of many acts over time or a single incident.
Victims can range in age from infancy to adolescence and can be either
male or female. Sexual assault
is considered to be rape, rape in concert, incest, sodomy, oral copulation,
penetration of genital or anal opening by a foreign object and child
molestation. Additionally, lewd or
lascivious conduct with child under the age of 14 years, which involves any lewd
touching if done with the intent or arousing or gratifying the sexual desires of
either the person involved or the child. Sexual
exploitation is considered to be conduct or activities related to pornography
depicting minors and promoting prostitution by minors. The
kind of abuse suffered, the guilt and shame often associated with sexual
activity make sexual abuse a particularly devastating form of abuse. Children are usually very hesitant to come forward due to the
potential involvement of friends and family members, the fear that no one will
believe them or because of the real or imagined consequences of an
investigation. Indicators of sexual
abuse can be found in a variety of physical, behavioral and social symptoms.
The indicators listed here should be used in relation to other behaviors
or situational factors. The
indicators are broken down into five groups which are as follows: +
HISTORY ·
A child reports sexual activities to a friend, classmate, teacher,
neighbor, friends mother or other adult.
Children will often be indirect with the disclosure and may say that it
is about someone else. It is not uncommon for the disclosure to be delayed. ·
The child wears torn, stained or bloody underclothing ·
Knowledge that a childs injury/disease is unusual for the
specific age group ·
Knowledge of a childs history of previous or recurrent
injuries/diseases · Unexplained injuries/diseases (parent/caretaker unable to explain reason for injury/disease; there are discrepancies in explanation; blame is placed on a third party; explanations are inconsistent with medical diagnosis +
SEXUAL
BEHAVIORS OF CHILDREN · Detailed and age-inappropriate understanding of sexual behavior · Inappropriate, unusual or aggressive sexual behavior with peers or toys · Compulsive indiscreet masturbation · Excessive curiosity about sexual matters or genitalia · Unusually seductive with classmates, teachers and other adults · Excessive concern about homosexuality · Frightened of parents/caretaker or of going home +
BEHAVIORAL
INDICATORS IN YOUNGER CHILDREN · Bed wetting or fecal soiling · Eating disturbances · Fears or phobias · Overly compulsive behavior · School problems or significant change in school performance · Age-inappropriate behavior acting older or younger than actual age. · Inability to concentrate · Drastic behavior changes in and out of parents/caretaker presence · Sleep disturbances · Speech disorders +
BEHAVIORAL
INDICATORS IN OLDER CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS · Withdrawal · Chronic fatigue · Clinical depression, apathetic · Overly compliant behavior · Poor hygiene or excessive bathing · Poor peer relations and social skills; inability to make friends · Alcohol or drug abuse · Prostitution or excessive promiscuity · School problems, frequent absences, sudden drop in school performance · Refusal to dress for P.E. classes · Nonparticipation in sports and social activities · Fearful of showers/restrooms · Fearful of home life demonstrated by arriving at school early and/or leaving late · Suddenly fearful of other things such as going outside or familiar activities · Self-consciousness of body beyond that expected for age · Sudden acquisition of money, new clothes or gifts with no reasonable explanation · Suicide attempt or other self-destructive behavior · Crying without provocation · Fire setting +
PHYSICAL
SYMPTOMS · Sexually transmitted diseases · Genital discharge or infection · Physical trauma or irritations to the anal/genital area including pain, itching, swelling, bruising, bleeding, lacerations, abrasions, especially if unexplained or inconsistent · Pain upon urination/defecation · Difficulty in walking or sitting due to genital or anal pain · Psychosomatic symptoms such as stomachaches and headaches
WHERE
TO GET HELP Emergency Help Police/fire/paramedic response 911 Los Angeles County Child Abuse Hotline For information and to report child abuse (800) 540-4000 National Child Abuse Hotline Information, reporting and local referrals (800) 422-4453 Los Angeles County Sheriff Non-emergency calls (661) 255-1121 Parents Anonymous Child abuse prevention through support, Training and parent education .(909) 621-6184 Santa Clarita Child and Family Development Center Child and family counseling services ..(661) 259-9439 Miller, Geidel and Associates Child and family counseling services ..(661) 253-4133
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