What is Child Physical Abuse?

Vocabulary

100

A physical act by a caregiver that results in a child being hurt or injured.

What is child physical abuse?

200

Physical aggression directed between spouses/partners.

What is domestic violence?

300

This symptom refers to continuing to see mental images or feeling of reliving some aspects of experience linked to past abuse/scary event(s).

What is re-experiencing?

400

This refers to someone attempting to not talk/think about reminders of past scary/abusive events.

What is avoidance?

500

This refers to heightened startle response/feeling of "nervous & jumpy" that can result after experiencing scary event(s).

What is hyperarousal?

Myth or Fact

100

Very few children/teens witness or experience physical violence. Myth or Fact?

Myth: In 2006, over 142,000 of all victims of child maltreatment that were reported to Child Protective Services in the US experienced some form of physical abuse. This number only represents those children/teens whose situations were reported. It's HIGHLY likely that many more children are physically abused whose situations go unreported.

200

Every child who experiences or witnesses physical abuse/domestic violence becomes violent themselves. Myth or Fact?

Myth: Aggression and "acting out" are very common but there are a wide range of reactions. Some children show few, if any, reactions. But some become numb. They don't seem to care anymore if they are hit; they've lost the normal fight or flight reactions built-in to protect us from danger.

300

Men are more likely to abuse children Myth or Fact?

Myth: Both men and women abuse children. In the US, most studies show that more abusers are women, possibly because women are more often caregivers.

400

Some studies have shown that lower socioeconomic status is associated with higher rates of abuse/domestic violence. Myth or Fact?

Fact; but also know physical abuse/domestic violence is not limited to poor families, physical abuse/domestic violence occurs at all socioeconomic levels.

500

Children/teens who experience trauma reactions can never recover.

Myth; Research shows that with proper treatment, children/teens' relationships improve, aggressive behaviors decrease, and symptoms of trauma decrease.

Signs and Symptoms

100

Children’s immediate reactions to domestic violence may include which of the following? A)Generalized anxiety B)Nightmares C)Difficulty concentrating D) None of the above E) A, B, C

E) A, B, C

200

Children who witness domestic violence/physical abuse are at more risk for depression and anxiety-related symptoms? True or False?

True

300

Exposure to domestic violence has also been linked to which of the following? A) Increased watching of "Family Guy" B) Improved ability to focus at school C) Poor school performance

C); Children who grow up with domestic violence may have impaired ability to concentrate; difficulty in completing school work; and lower scores on measures of verbal, motor, and social skills.

400

Children’s immediate reactions to domestic violence may include which of the following? A)Increased aggression B)Increased anxiety about being separated from a parent C)Intense worry about their safety or the safety of a parent D)All of the above E)None of the above

D) All of the above

500

Refers to the presence of physical or mental feature(s) that is regarded as indicating a condition/diagnosis.

What is a symptom?

True or False

100

Children/teens who witness physical abuse/domestic violence can not experience trauma symptoms. True or False?

False; Research indicates that children who are exposed to physical threats and aggressive acts by a caregiver may develop trauma symptoms as well.

200

Most, if not all children, who experience/witness physical abuse or domestic violence tell someone right away to get help. True or False?

False, many children do not tell for many reasons. Some do not tell because of fear of parents getting mad at them, some do not tell because they do not want their parents to get in trouble, and some for other reasons.

300

All parents who have physically abused their children do not love their children.

False; Most parents love their children and do not want to hurt them. Some parents physically abuse their children because they do not know any other way to discipline their children. Some parents physically abuse their children because they were taught that it is ok to use violence as discipline.

400

Children who witness domestic violence are impacted differently. True or False?

True; Not all children exposed to violence are affected equally or in the same ways. For many children, exposure to domestic violence may be traumatic, and their reactions are similar to children's reactions to other traumatic stressors.

500

Children who live with domestic violence are also at increased risk to become direct victims of child abuse. True or False?

True

Observations

100

Does physical abuse teach children, more often than not, how to manage their behavior?

Physical abuse does not in fact teach children how to manage behaviors/emotions, instead (again more often than not) children who are physically punished are taught to be submissive, fearful, and/or aggressive. Children are also taught that hitting is a way to solve problems with others.

200

Can painful medical procedures early in life be traumatic?

Pediatric medical traumatic stress refers to reactions that children and their families may have to pain, injury, and serious illness; or to "invasive" medical procedures (such as surgery) or treatments (such as burn care) that are sometimes frightening. Reactions can affect the mind as well as the body. For example, children and their families may become anxious, irritable, or on edge. They may have unwanted thoughts or nightmares about the illness, injury, or the hospital.

300

Children surrounded by violence in their homes and communities may learn what from an early age? A)that they cannot trust B) the world is not safe C)that they are powerless to change their circumstances. D) None of the above E) A, B, C

E)

400

What do you think some children learn from witnessing domestic violence?

Children who have been exposed to domestic violence often learn destructive lessons about the use of violence and power in relationships. Children may learn that it is acceptable to exert control or relieve stress by using violence, or that violence is in some way linked to expressions of intimacy and affection

500

How do you think stress in an environment can impair the development of the brain and nervous system?

From infancy through adolescence, the body’s biology develops. Normal biological function is partly determined by environment. When a child grows up afraid or under constant or extreme stress, the immune system and body’s stress response systems may not develop normally. Later on, when the child or adult is exposed to even ordinary levels of stress, these systems may automatically respond as if the individual is under extreme stress.