Statistics
This percentage of children worldwide experience some form of emotional/psychological abuse from their guardian.
36%
The majority of perpetrators who physically abuse children are Fathers.
False. In 2022, researchers found that mothers had roughly 70,000+ more child abuse cases towards their children than fathers.
The part of the brain where we get our ability to detect and react to threats. It becomes overly activated after trauma and this over activation helps protect the body.
Amygdala. Remember, whenever you feel a sense of fear/threat in your body, reflect on what Amy G. Dala is saying to you.
Fists clenched. Body feels hot. Muscles feel tense. I prefer to act in the moment rather than think things through.
Anger
Finding a peaceful space where you can be in the moment, notice and accept your sensations. Soften your gaze or even close your eyes, and simply notice what's going on.
Meditate.
This percentage of children in the U.S. experience emotional abuse during childhood
35%
It only counts as physical abuse if the abuser 'meant' to hit the child. If it was an accident, it's technically not physical abuse.
False. Even accidental injuries can be considered physical abuse.
While awake or asleep, sudden images popping up in the mind followed by the body feeling intense fear and other uncomfortable sensations. It's one of the ways the brain tries to process really painful experiences.
Flashbacks/nightmares.
After abuse, you may lose me. It may feel hard to give me to strangers, friends, family and even yourself. It takes time and work to rebuild me after experiencing abuse. I help build stronger connections with others and myself.
Trust.
We can heal by exploring these important things we notice inside of us. They come from our brain, and we can feel them in our body after something triggered them to show up, and they tell us what we need.
Emotions
On average, this many children die each day due to physical abuse.
5
Parents/Guardians who physically abuse their children are unloving and bad people.
False.
Too much stress caused by trauma/abuse turns off this part of the brain - which is responsible for making and storing away our memories safely.
Hippocampus. As the hippocampus gets turned off because of trauma, the painful traumatic memories do not get stored away safely and become memory 'time capsules'. The traumatic memory 'time capsules' preserve the fresh pain/sensations from the trauma and that's why the past feels like it's in the present.
I make things we used to enjoy less interesting. I sometimes try to push motivation away. I'm a type of sadness that feels sticky and it may hard to get away from me. I just want to help you conserve your energy and signal to you what's important in your life, although it's not healthy for me to be around you for long.
Depression.
We can calm their bodies and quiet down Anger when it shows up by doing this exercise. Here's a hint: we do this all the time to stay alive, and you're doing it right now. Except when doing this exercise, it's a little deeper.
Deep Breathing
U.S. Child Protective Services had this many child protective workers actively responding to abuse cases in 2022.
30,000
Boys are more often physically abused than girls
False. In 2022, roughly 260,000 boys were reportedly abused by their guardian/s, while roughly 290,000 girls were reportedly abused.
A fancy scientific word, meaning that our brain is capable of adapting, healing, and overcoming stress caused to it by trauma.
Neuroplasticity.
I make you way more aware of everything around you. I keep you alert, on edge, ready for any and all threats. My home is in your Amygdala, and although I may be a lot, I just want you to be safe.
Hypervigilance.
Rather than keeping painful stories and memories to themselves, survivors of abuse can do this (with a therapist or trusted adult) ..... and it helps them process and overcome it.
Share their story
Child Advocacy Centers throughout the U.S. help on average this many children each year to receive support and services to recover from abuse. (Hint: it's a lot)
380,000
Neglect (not providing proper survival/safety needs to child) is the most common form of abuse
True
Excessively spacing out and disconnecting from our body and the present moment. It's a protective response from our brain when we experience overwhelming pain or feelings of danger.
Dissociation.
I talk to you through your body and your thoughts. I can send you a shiver in your body or send you thought, after thought, after thought. Hm, maybe both at the same time! Sorry, I know I'm uncomfortable, I'm just trying to signal to you that you don't feel safe in the moment.
Fear.
It's normal and expected to have negative thoughts about ourselves, other people, and the world after a divorce. However, we don't need to listen to all of our negative thoughts especially if it keeps us down. We can counter and respond to negative thoughts by doing this:
What is practice thinking more positive and realistic thoughts?