Trauma 101
What are some examples of trauma?
Death of a family member, physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, witnessing or experiencing domestic violence, substance abuse, sexual assault, and others
What is neglect?
When a parent shows a pattern of not providing necessary food, clothing, shelter, education, supervision or medical care. As a result of this, children’s physical, mental or emotional state can become compromised.
Have you ever experienced trauma? Talk about it, if you're comfortable.
Thanks for sharing :)
TRUE or FALSE, 30% of child abuse cases are neglect.
False, 60% of kids who experienced child maltreatment were neglected.
What is physical abuse?
When a parent or caregiver commits an act that causes physical injury to a child such as red marks, cuts, welts, bruises, muscle sprains, or broken bones.
What are some common reactions to trauma?
Crying spells, anxiety, feeling numb, mood swings, panic attacks, trust issues, self-harm, drug use, sleep issues, flashbacks, unwanted thoughts, trouble remembering what happened, low self-esteem, depression, restlessness
TRUE or FALSE, neglect is the most common form of abuse.
True
Name some of the feelings you've felt toward your caregiver when you've been neglected, abused, or mistreated (or how you think you might feel if you were in this situation)
guilty, worried, hatred, ashamed, upset, mad, angry, confused, alone, hurt, embarrassed, weak, uncomfortable, annoyed
TRUE or FALSE, less than 1 million children have at least one parent who abuses illegal drugs or alcohol.
False, more than 8 million children have at least one parent who abuses illegal drugs or alcohol.
What is emotional abuse?
When a parent calls a kid mean names, threatens them, or tells them they are no good.
What thoughts might someone have after a trauma?
What have I done wrong? Why is this happening to me? Is it going to happen again? How long am I going to feel like this? Is this my fault?
TRUE or FALSE, abuse only counts if it's violent.
False. Neglect can be just as harmful as physical or emotional abuse.
TRUE OR FALSE: it is your fault if your caregiver abuses you or uses drugs/substances
ALWAYS FALSE. We cannot control how others react or behave.
TRUE or FALSE, 1 in every 12 adults suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence.
True, this equals approximately 17.6 million people!
Give an example of a parent's role vs. a kid's role
Possibly: A parent provides kids with basic needs (food/water/shelter), sets healthy boundaries, provides clean clothes, etc.
A kid helps out with reasonable chores, does their homework, goes to school, gets to have fun, etc.
Whose fault is the trauma?
The person that caused the trauma is always responsible.
TRUE or FALSE, child neglect is always done on purpose.
False. Child neglect is not always on purpose. Sometimes, a caregiver becomes physically or mentally unable to care for a child. Other times, alcohol or drug abuse may affect the ability to keep a child safe. However, this is not an excuse for their actions.
If you woke up tomorrow with a magic wand and could change anything about your family, what would you change?
Thanks for sharing :)
TRUE or FALSE, 45% of children are abused or neglected by a parent.
FALSE, 78% of children were abused or neglected by a parent.
TRUE or FALSE, Most kids tell when an adult abuses them.
False
What happens when you try to hold a beach ball under water? How is this like trauma?
When we try to avoid our trauma symptoms, they can pop back up in our lives when we least expect it. It's like trying to hold a beach ball underwater. It will eventually come back up with a lot of force.
What are some types of child neglect?
Physical neglect, medical neglect, inadequate supervision, environmental neglect, emotional neglect, educational neglect
Do you think trauma can be passed down through generations? For example, does trauma experienced by our great grandparents also affect us?
Intergenerational trauma exists! It can be passed down from environmental, genetic, and social factors. Intergenerational trauma increases the risk of child abuse, poverty, separation from parents, health problems, drug use, and homelessness.
TRUE or FALSE, 1 in 8 kids under the age of 17 live in a home with a parent that struggles with substance abuse.
True
Who's responsibility is it to make sure kids are safe and something is done when a child is abused?
The adult.