General
Trauma
Trauma
True or False: It’s only physical abuse if the adult means to hurt the child.
False - Even accidental injuries of a child are considered physical abuse if the act that injured the child was done intentionally as a form of punishment.
What is family violence?
Family violence is a pattern of behaviors that are used to maintain power and control over other family members. Family violence includes physical, emotional and verbal abuse, threats and intimidation, and controlling money.
True or False: You have survived the trauma. The memory can’t hurt you.
True
What percentage of children and teens who experience a traumatic event develop PTSD?
14.5% of those who had experienced a serious trauma developed PTSD.
What is sexual abuse?
Child sexual abuse can be many different acts. Any sexual behavior between an adult and a child is considered sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse can include looking at or touching the child’s private areas, having the child look at or touch the adult’s private areas, masturbation with the child present, and forced intercourse (rape).
Why do we talk about trauma?
To release the trauma bully from our brains and learn how to cope with the memories and symptoms. It is normal to not want to talk or think about trauma - that's call avoidance! We don't want to think about those memories or be around things that remind us of the trauma because it is really painful. But not talking about it can make those memories, thoughts, and painful emotions pop up more frequently - talking about it can help.
What are examples of family violence?
What percentage of kids have their symptoms of PTSD decreased after TFCBT treatment?
80%
What are some things that a kid could do if they wanted help if they were experiencing a trauma?
First, tell an adult what you are experiencing. Second, ask yourself if there is any way you can increase your safety now? Can you decrease the amount of trauma you experience by changing where, or with whom, you spend your time? Third, remember that you are not alone. Many youth your age are experiencing the same thing. Fourth, remind yourself that you are strong and that recovery is possible. There are many examples of successful adults who experienced a lot of trauma in their childhood.
How common is sexual abuse?
1 in 4 girls are abused and 1 in 6 boys have been sexually abused by the time they are 18 years old. This is likely an underreport!
Approximately what percentage of children experience at least one traumatic event by age 16?
2/3s of children or 65%
What are some reasons that some kids don’t tell right away if they are experiencing family violence?
Fear that they will not be believed. They don't know who to tell or they think they did something to cause it, etc. Fear that their parents will be mad at them or that they will treat them worse for telling. Worry about getting their parents into trouble or being removed from their homes. Believing that it’s okay for their parents to threaten them or that they deserve the abuse for their “bad” behavior. Feeling shame or guilt.
True or False: Witnessing violence affects a child’s ability to learn because they may have difficulty focusing and concentrating.
True
What kinds of worries do kids who’ve seen or experienced family violence or sexual abuse have ? What do they think about?
They often worry that they caused the abuse or did something to anger the other person. They can also worry that something is wrong with them or they are a bad person because of what happened. Other thoughts they might have is that no one can be trusted or everyone will hurt them. They might also worry that their caregiver or family member will get in trouble if someone finds out or worry that it will happen again.
True or False: Often sexual abuse occurs more than one time.
True. The abuse typically occurs more than once. Over time it may become more frequent. The average length of time abuse occurs is 4 years, although it can be over a much shorter or longer time period.
How common is child physical abuse?
A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds. At least 1 in 7 children have experienced child abuse and/or neglect in the past year, and this is likely an underestimate.
It can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender from any socioeconomic background and education level. 1 in 15 children experience family violence and that is likely a low estimate because it can be really hard for families to report that it is happening in their home!
True or False: Everyone who experiences a traumatic event will develop PTSD.
False. Everyone is different and there are different factors that affect the development of the presence of trauma symptoms.
What are three physical sensations kids who have experienced family violence or sexual abuse often experience?
Racing heart, stomachaches, headaches, tense muscles, difficulty breathing, sweating, dizziness, lightheadedness, tingly, hot, feeling jumpy, trouble sleeping, nightmares, etc.
If a girl is abused by a woman or a boy is abused by a man, does it mean that the child is gay?
No. The abuse is NEVER the child’s choice and it means nothing about the child’s sexual orientation.
How many kids have parents who struggle with alcohol and/or substance abuse?
In the United States, about 1 in 8 children ages 17 or younger are living in households with at least one parent who has a substance use disorder.
Why do some adults physically and emotionally hurt their children and/or families? Is it ever the child's fault?
There are lots of different reasons, just like there are lots of different offenders. But it is very hard to know the reason why it happens to any child. Some adults do not know how to manage their emotions in a healthy way or they didn't have a role model on how to correct behaviors of children. When physical punishment does not create the results a parent seeks, the parent may escalate the punishment, and the child and parent may get locked in a vicious cycle of greater violence on the part of parents, and greater acting out on the part of the children.
We do know this much: No child is responsible for what an adult does. It is NEVER the child's fault.
True or False: I should only practice coping skills when I feel like I need to use them
False! Practicing coping skills when we feel calm is a great way to feel more prepared when we feel worried, sad, angry, or upset
How do kids feel when they’ve seen or experienced family violence or sexual abuse? What are some common emotions?
Kids may feel many different feelings, even at the same time! A Scared, confused, angry, sad, guilty, disgusted, ashamed, betrayed, etc.
Can sexual abuse feel good to a child’s body?
Yes, sometimes it does. Our bodies are biologically wired to respond certain ways sexually. For males, one response is an erection. This may occur even though the child does not want the abuse to happen. Although the body’s response can be very confusing to a child in an abuse situation, it is just the way our body is wired and is part of normal sexual development.