VICTIMIZATIONThe Secret Seldom Discussed

VICTIMIZATION

An act that exploits or victimizes someone (threats them unfairly).

Primary Victimization

Secondary Victimization

Definition: Types:

CHILD VICTIMIZATION

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv52n2jmGlY

PHYSICAL ABUSE CHARACTERISTICS:

Unexplained or repeated injuries Injuries that are shaped like other objects Injuries that are not likely to happen to a

child at a certain age Different explanation of an injury between

the child and the parent Unreasonable explanation of the injury Obvious neglect of the child Fearful behavior

EMOTIONAL ABUSE CHARACTERISTICS:

Aggressive or withdrawn behavior

Shying away from physical contact with parents or adults

Afraid to go home

Child tells you he/she was sexually mistreated

Child has physical signs

Child has behavioral and emotional signs

SEXUAL ABUSE CHARACTERISTICS:

CHARACTERISTICS OF FAMILIES IN WHICH ABUSE MAY BE MORE LIKELY:

Families who are isolated Parents who tell you they were abused as children Families who are often in crisis Parents who have problems with drugs or alcohol Parents who are very critical of their child Parents who are very rigid in disciplining their child Parents who show too much or too little concern for

their child Parents who feel they have a difficult child Parents who are under a lot of stress Parents tend to have self-centered personalities

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHILD ABUSER:

Most often the biological father Controlling Has difficulty controlling impulses Alcohol/drug abuse Denies any accusations Places the blame on the victim

STRUGGLES:CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED LIVE IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY.

Emotionally Behaviorally Socially Physically

Aggression Anxiety Depression Self Esteem Academically

It can affect the child: Associated Problems:

GENDER MAKES A DIFFERENCE

More likely to display anxious and depressive behaviors

Socially withdrawn

More likely to display anger and aggressive behaviors

More like to have lower academic performance

Females tend to internalize:

Males tend to externalize:

RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE CAREGIVER

Conflicting Emotions Occur: Love Fear Trust Hatred Feel it is their fault Difficulty respecting the caregiver Difficulty trusting adults Think violence is the answer to all problems

RESOURCES:WHAT THE CHILD CAN DO…

For Children experiencing child abuse: Talk to parents, guardian, relatives, or older

siblings that could help Teachers, doctors, counselors, or any trusted

adult**Important for the child to know that it is safe

to tell someone if they are being abused!

RESOURCES:WHAT YOU CAN DO…

Report abuse with the following numbers: Missouri Department of Social Service: 1-800-

392-3738 Cape Girardeau County Children's Division:

(573)290-5800 Contact Local Police National Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD Visit www.childhelp.org

INFO

TO

HA

VE W

HEN

CA

LLIN

G A

HO

TLIN

E:

•Name of child

•Name of parents

•Name of alleged abuser (if known)

•Where the child can be located

•Is it life threatening?

•Are there any witnesses other than yourself to the abuse?

ADULT VICTIMIZATION

YouTube - Help Stop the Violence (Warning: some disturbing images)

SIGNS OF ABUSE:

Bruising, swelling on the body Emotional detachment from others Stands up for abuser Venerable to all stress Has a family that fails at problem solving

TY

PES

OF A

BU

SE:

• Battering Parent

•Elderly Abuse

•Intimate Partner (Domestic Violence)

•Sexual Abuse

THE BATTERING CYCLE

Honeymoon Phase Tension-building Phase Explosive Phase Honeymoon Phase again

CHARACTERISTICS/STRUGGLES:

SEXUAL ABUSE & DOMESTIC ABUSE VICTIMS Some may act out sexually May initiate further abuse on others Sexual abuse as a child is often deeply

repressed Psychiatric disorders are very common Violence:

-Physical, emotional, partner/domestic violence are highly characteristic of adult victims

Denial

RESOURCES/HOW TO DEAL WITH VICTIMIZATION:

Places in Missouri:1)MoVA

-National Domestic Hotline: 799-SAFE-Jackson County:

~Rosebrooks Center~Hope House

FURTHER RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS:

-counseling services-hotlines-support groups-legal resources-shelters

HOW TO DEAL WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AS A SOCIAL WORKER

Interventions Treatments for the abus

ed and abuser Counseling sessions with

 

both the abused and 

abuser

INTERVENTIONS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

therapeutic interventions getting to the bottom of the reason for abuse

BIBLIOGRAPHY"Adult Manifestations of Child Sexual Abuse." American Academy of 

Experts in Traumatic Stress. 5 Mar. 1997. 10 Apr. 2009 <http://www.ask.com/bar?q=characteristics+of+adult+victims&page=1&qsrc=2 417&ab=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aaets.org%2Farticle120.htm>.

A Guide To Crisis Intervention. E ed. Vol. 3. Belmont: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning, 2007. Missouri Victim Assistance Network. 2007. 11 Apr. 2009 <http://mova.missouri.org/>.

"National Child Abuse Statistics." Childhelp. 2006. 10 Apr. 2009 <http://www.childhelp.org/resources/learning-center/statistics>.

"Victimization." Dictionary.com. 2009. 11 Apr. 2009 <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/victimization>.

"What is Primary Victimization?" WikiAnswers. 11 Apr. 2009 <http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_Primary_Victimization>.

"What is secondary victimization?" WikiAnswers. 11 Apr. 2009 <http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_secondary_victimization>.