Trauma
A traumatic event is a frightening, dangerous, or violent event that poses a threat to a child’s life or bodily integrity. Witnessing a traumatic event that threatens life or physical security of a loved one can also be traumatic
What is trauma?
we would consider child physical abuse to be any physical act by a caregiver that results in a child being hurt or injured
What is physical abuse?
Physical signs, such as welts and bruises in various stages of healing, fingernail marks, human bite marks, burns, lacerations, abrasions in the pattern of an instrument, and missing, loose, or broken teeth. It is very possible for a child to be physically abused without anyone noticing if the child’s injuries are hidden by clothing.
Children may feel terror, helplessness, or fear, as well as physiological reactions such as heart pounding, vomiting, or loss of bowel or bladder control. Children who experience an inability to protect themselves or who lacked protection from others to avoid the consequences of the traumatic experience may also feel overwhelmed by the intensity of physical and emotional responses.
What may a child feel that goes through trauma?
Red marks, cuts, welts, bruises, muscle sprains, or broken bones, even if the injury was unintentional.
What does physical abuse look like?
This danger can come from outside of the family (such as a natural disaster, car accident, school shooting, or community violence) or from within the family, such as domestic violence, physical or sexual abuse, or the unexpected death of a loved one.
Who can be an abuser?
hitting a child with a closed fist is considered physical abuse. hitting a child on the face or head is also called physical abuse.
What physical punishment is considered physical abuse?
Children of all ages, races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds are at risk for physical abuse
Who can be physically abused?