Intimate partner violence
What is intimate partner violence?
Any behavior within an intimate relationship that causes physical, sexual, or psychological harm
What counts as emotional abuse?
Behavior that undermines a person's self-worth and emotional well-being
What are some examples of neglect?
Leaving a young child unsupervised, failing to meet a child's basic needs, not obtaining medical attention for a child’s serious health concerns, ignoring medical advice, unsafe living conditions, etc.
What counts as physical abuse?
Any act intended to cause physical harm, or that results in injury, can be considered physical abuse.
True or False: Kids will never truly feel better after they experience trauma.
False- Research shows that approximately 80% of children show significant improvement in symptoms after going through TF-CBT treatment
Who is responsible for intimate partner violence?
The person doing the harm
How common is emotional abuse?
Emotional abuse affects at least 10-15% of children
How many children in US experience some form of neglect?
at least 1 in 7 children
True or False: Telling a trusted adult about physical abuse happening in the home is often the first step to creating a safer and healthier home environment.
True- It often takes a lot of courage and bravery for a child to tell someone about physical abuse happening in the home, but this is often the first step for families to get the help and resources needed to create a safer and healthier home environment.
What are some of the possible symptoms that a person might experience after a trauma?
anxiety, depression, irritability, emotional numbness, nightmares, unwanted memories of the event, negative thoughts, difficulty concentrating, changes in appetite, physical pain, withdrawal from social activities or relationships, avoidance of memories associated with trauma, etc.
What are factors that make violence more likely in certain relationships?
Alcohol or substance abuse
Childhood exposure to IPV or child maltreatment
Low self esteem
other mental health issues such as depression
What are some common forms of emotional abuse?
Verbal Attacks: Insults, belittling comments, or constant criticism.
Manipulation: Using guilt, fear, or obligation to control someone's actions or feelings.
Isolation: Preventing someone from spending time with friends or family.
Gaslighting: Making someone doubt their own perceptions or reality.
Intimidation: Using threats, even if not physical, to instill fear.
Dismissive Behavior: Ignoring or trivializing someone's feelings or opinions.
True or False: It is normal for children to feel responsible for their parents’ neglectful behavior.
True- feeling guilty, responsible, or as if it is their fault are common responses for children who have experienced neglect
What percentage of child abuse involves a known caregiver, family member, or trusted adult?
approximately 90% of child abuse cases involve a known caregiver, family member, or trusted adult.
True or False: Trying to ignore symptoms/avoid trauma reminders works long-term to help a person heal from trauma.
False- trying to ignore symptoms/avoid trauma reminders might help a person cope in the short-term, but long-term, these avoidant behaviors often make things worse and make it much harder to heal from the trauma.
How do kids feel when they are experiencing intimate partner violence at home?
Some might feel angry, scared, ashamed, or irritable. Some might have trouble concentrating or get in trouble in school
What do kids feel when they have experienced emotional abuse?
confused, sad, afraid, ashamed, guilty, anxious, angry, hopeless, etc.
What are some obstacles that might get in the way of caregivers meeting their child's needs?
Lack of knowledge, financial constraints, mental health issues, substance use, cultural beliefs, overwhelm or stress, lack of access to healthcare
True or False: If you have been violent in the past you will be again in the future.
False- individuals have the capacity to learn, grow, and make better choices in the future with the right interventions and resources
The ____ response is the name of the natural response that your body has to a perceived threat or stressor.
Fight or flight response/anxiety response
True or False: Children cannot be developmentally/emotionally impacted by IPV in the home if they were too young to remember it.
False- exposure to such an environment can have significant and lasting effects on a child's development and well-being even if they were not aware of it
How does emotional abuse impact a child’s self-esteem?
Some ways emotional abuse can impact a child's self-esteem are:
Internalized Negative Beliefs (belief that they are unworthy, unlovable, or inadequate), Increased Anxiety and Depression, Difficulty Trusting Others, Fear of Failure, etc.
True or False: There are circumstances in which a child can be at blame for being neglected.
False- A child is never to blame for being neglected, no matter what happens in their home or life.
What are some effective and legal methods for disciplining a child?
positive reinforcement, setting clear boundaries, modeling appropriate behavior, calm and clear communication, etc.
What is complex trauma and how might it affect a person?
Complex trauma is when multiple traumatic events, often over a long period, such as ongoing abuse or neglect occurs. This type of trauma can deeply affect a person’s sense of self, relationships, and overall emotional well-being