Family Violence

Most likely to disclose to

1. Close friend 2. Mother 3. Teacher

Neonaticidal mothers

75% fit common profile Not mentally ill No history of arrest Often deny their pregnancy Most deliver the baby on their own, in secret Most recover sufficiently and resume their lives

Neglect of neglect

80s term coined showing neglect is not at the forefront

Factors predisposing to overcome child's resistance

A child may be emotionally insecure, deprived, or lacking in sexual experience or knowledge Victim may feel powerless

Victim's relationship to perpetrator

A close relative makes the victim less likely to disclose

Battered child syndrome

A medicolegal term that describes the diagnosis of a medical expert based on scientific studies that indicate that when a child suffers certain types of continuing injuries, those injuries were not caused by accidental means

Exertion of power or control

Abuse of power to achieve sexual intent

Physical child abuse

Any act that results in a nonaccidental physical injury by a person who has care, custody, or control of a child

Frequency, severity, duration

As severity increases, negative outcome increases

Personalistic theory of child neglect

Attributes child neglect to individual personality characteristics of the caretakers

Non-contact CSA

Behavior that does not involve contact Not typically the first type of CSA that is thought of

Age of children who are physically abused

Birth to 5 years old most commonly

Gender of children who are physically abused

Both but boys are at a slightly greater risk

Pattern burns

Burns caused by holding or pressing a portion of the child's body against a hot object

Transactional theories of CPA

CPA results when aggravating factors out weigh compensatory factors at each ecological level; address risk and protective factors

Response of others

Can determine how a victim will recover

Disability and physical abuse

Characteristics of disability increase their risks

Characteristics of victims

Children that are vulnerable/needy in some way (visible grooming process) Using seduction, enticement Socially isolated or left alone and unsupervised

Characteristics of children who have been emotionally neglected

Clingy and indiscriminate attachment Fearfulness--exaggerated Depressed, withdrawn, apathetic Sleep, speech, or eating disorders Substance abuse Antisocial, destructive, behavior Enuresis and encopresis Habit disorders (biting, rocking, whining, picking at scabs)

Multidimensional approach of incest

Combines a number of the preceding theories to explain the incest taboo

Poverty and substance abuse

Correlates and single-factor variables related to family violence

Post-partum depression

Create problems providing optimal care for child Only a small number of women experience psychosis, few harm their babies Experienced by 11-16% of mothers

Risk factors associated with the parent-child relationship: characteristics of a parent

Deficits in parenting skills Typically a victim as well (polyvictimization) Frequent spanking

Results of neglect

Delayed consequences Vary based on frequency and duration

Four factors that increase child exploitation

Demand for children in the workforce and sex trade makes child exploitation economically successful Growth of the tourist industry feeds the demand for children who are exploited Lack of enforceable laws allows for the kidnapping and continued exploitation of children Growth of the sex industry encourages child exploitation with its need for more and more young children

Trauma symptoms

Development of trauma symptoms increase the likelihood of the abused becoming an abuser

Behavioral indicators of child neglect

Developmental lags Begs or steals food, forages through garbage; always hungry Destructive to self and/or others; extremes in behavior--aggressive and withdrawn; hyperactive Assumes adult responsibilities or acts in pseudomature fashion; exhibits infantile behavior; delinquent behavior Depressed/apathetic Frequent school absences or chronic tardiness; seeks attention and/or affection Hypochondria

Physical indicators

Difficulty walking or sitting Torn, stained, or bloody underwear Genital/anal itching, pain, swelling, or burning Genital/anal bruises or bleeding Frequency urinary tract or yeast infections Pain on urination Poor sphincter control VD Pregnancy Chronic unexplained sore throats Frequent psychosomatic illnesses Loss of appetite

Feminist theory

Dislike gender neutral studies because male data is applied to females IPV is primarily male-female violence Poor explanation for child abuse

Socioeconomical status of children abused

Disproportionately shown among lower SES

Reasons for chronic neglect

Due to: lack of knowledge Lack of skills Lack of resources Multiple treatment intervention Longterm consequences

Reasons for nonchronic neglect

Duress Overwhelming events Problems

Indications of sexual abuse

Early warnings of sexual abuse may take the form of indirect statements made by the child or acted out in play Subtle signals such as a child describing a sexual event without identifying himself as the victim or naming the offender Making odd statements to test the water

Behavioral indicators of child abuse

Easily frightened or fearful of adults and parents, physical contact, or when other children cry Destructive to self and/or others Extremes of behavior: aggressive or withdrawn Poor social relations Learning problems, poor academic performance, short attention span, delayed language development Runaway or delinquent behavior Reporting unbelievable reasons for injuries Complains of soreness or moves awkwardly Accident-prone Wears clothing that is clearly meant to cover the body when not appropriate Seems afraid to go home

Strongest predictors of neglect

Economic disadvantage Single parent, female HoH Neglectful mothers have low levels of positive interactions High levels of family stress (not integrated into the community, poor social support system) Have children at a young age Low levels of achievement

Motivation to abuse sexually

Emotional congruence, sexual arousal, and blockage Arousal occurs when the child becomes the source of sexual gratification

Non-accidental bruises may include:

Eyes-bilateral black eyes Ear lobe-pinch and pull marks Cheek-slap marks, squeeze marks, or gag marks Upper lip-bruises Scalp-bare head and broken hair, bruises Neck-choke marks Upper arms-grab marks Chest-fingertip encirclement marks Inner thighs-pressure marks and fingertip marks Genitals-pinch marks and wrapping of penis Ankles/wrists-Tethering or friction burn marks Feet-pen or razor tattoo marks

Effects of neglect

Failure to thrive (nonorganic)

Most likely offender

Family member as offender (most common) Acquaintances as the offender Strangers as the offender (least common)

Consistent findings for female perpetrators (CSA)

Fondling/Touching is the most frequent type Perpetrator grew up in highly dysfunctional families Suffered sexual abuse during childhood Manifests as inadequate social skills Cognitive distortions

Female

Gender more likely to disclose

Age of adults who physically abuse children

Higher among individuals who have children when they're young

Biological theory of incest

Holds that prohibiting sexual relations between family members is a method of ensuring survival of the human race, and that such activity causes recessive or defective genes to multiply, resulting in deformity.

Psychological theory of incest

Holds that the taboo against incest is a method of preventing family members from engaging in unconscious sexual desire with other family members

Murray Straus

Hypothesized that four standards not only permit, but encourage family violence Patriarchal influence

Nonorganic failure to thrive

If the infant is under the fifth percentile in both height and weight If the infant at one time weighed and was the height of a height within the expected norm

Transition rings

Impromptu gatherings that come together for the purpose of selling photos and trading sex, and victims may be traded among members at this time

Intrafamilial sexual abuse

Incest and reference to any type of exploitative sexual contact occurring between relatives

Child sexual abuse (CSA)

Is multifaceted and complex What behaviors are classified culturally as sexual abuse Intentionality of the perpetrator

Demand factors increasing a child's vulnerability to trafficking

Lack of schools or ability to attend them Family violence Consumerism Gender discrimination Ethnic discrimination

Female perpetrators (CSA)

Less than 10% of perpetrators Vastly underreported

Risk factors associated with situational and societal conditions

Low SES Single parent household Large family size Family disorganization Receives public assistance Power differentials Approval/glorification of violence Use of corporal punishment

Inconsistent findings for female perpetrators (CSA)

Male vs. female victims Whether they are coerced by males or act alone Whether female offenders suffer significant psychopathology Younger versus older children

Murray Straus standards

Men, rightfully, have greater authority Males aggressiveness is a sign of maleness The wife/mother role is the preferred status for women The criminal justice system is male dominated and thus may provide little relief for women

Neglect

Most difficult type of child abuse to define Culturally different

Severity of abuse

Most harmful over long period Contact abuse were more likely to report

4 preconditions model of sexual abuse

Motivation to abuse sexually Overcoming internal inhibitors Factors predisposing to overcome external inhibitors Factors predisposing to overcome child's resistance

Economic theory of child neglect

Neglect is caused by stress as a result of living in poverty

Shaken baby syndrome

Neurological damage caused by shaking a baby violently back and forth

Emotional neglect

Not showing affection Acts or omissions that are judged by community standards and professional expertise to be psychologically damaging of the child

Various types of neglect

Nutritional neglect Personal hygiene neglect Healthcare neglect Household sanitation Inadequate shelter Forcing a child out Abandonment Supervisory neglect Educational neglect Emotional neglect Fostering delinquency

Age

Older children are more likely to report

Overcoming internal inhibitors

Overcome by use of alcohol or drugs Existing psychosis Inability of the offender to identify with the needs of the victim Weak criminal sanctions against offenders Child pornography

Causes of NFTT

Parental depression, stress, marital strife, divorce Parental history of abuse as a child Mental retardation and psychological abnormalities in the parents Young and single mothers without social supports Domestic violence Alcohol or other substance abuse Previous child abuse in the family

Parenting difficulties of adults who physically abuse children

Parenting is stressful Low levels of stimulation and interaction with children Unrealistic expectations Disregard for child's needs Deficits in child management Negative attitudes towards children Poor problem solving skills

Forms of child sexual abuse

Pedophilia Incest Child pornography

Biological factors of adults who physically abuse children

Physical disabilities Sensitivity/tendency to overreact

Physical indicators of child neglect

Poor growth pattern Constant hunger, malnutrition Poor hygiene, body odor, and lice; inappropriate clothing Constant fatigue; listlessness; falls asleep in class Consistent lack of supervision, especially for long periods or in dangerous conditions Unexplained bruises or injuries as a result poor supervision Unattended physical problems or medical needs such as lack of proper immunizations, gross dental problems, needs glasses/hearing aids

Characteristics of perpetrators

Poor impulse control Use of alcohol/drugs Cognitive distortion ANtisocial disregard for others Sexual attraction/fantasies of children Inadequacy/dependency Sensitive about sexual performance

Adverse outcomes of children who are abused

Poor physical health Poor emotional and mental health Social difficulties Cognitive dysfunction High-risk health behaviors Behavioral problems

Child physical abuse

Poor school achievement (decreased cognitive development) Behavioral problems (noncompliance issues, delinquency, criminal offenses) Socioemotional deficits (avoidance of adults, peer rejection, poor interaction skills) Psychiatric disorders (BPD, depression, ODD, ADHD, PTSD) SA problems Socioemotional (suicidal ideation and detachment)

Supply factors increasing a child's vulnerability to trafficking

Poverty Desire for a better life Ignorance by parents and children of the consequences of leaving home to work Demand for cheap migrant labor Size of the tourist industry Lack of the implementation and enforcement of laws Growth of the sex industry

Why males are not likely to report

Pressure not to express homosexuality Feeling of lessened masculinity Boys normally do not have to account for their movements and are given greater degrees of freedom and less protection through supervision Stereotypes lead us to look for abuse with girls, not boys

Regressed offender

Primarily chooses young females as his victims Able to maintain the appearance of a heterosexual relationship with someone his own age

Characteristics of child death from abuse or neglect

Prior or current contact contact with CPS Types of abuse or neglect that led to the child's death Ages of the child victims

Extrafamilial sexual abuse

Refers to exploitative sexual contact with perpetrators who may be known to the child (neighbors, babysitters, live-in partners)

Subtypes of psychological/emotional neglect

Rejecting Degrading/Spurning Terrorizing Isolating Corrupting

Psychological neglect

Repeated pattern of behaviors (flawed, endangered, worthless)

Common fractures in child abuse cases

Rib Humerus Femur Tibia Skull Hand Ulna Radius

Child attribution

Self-blaming can cause greater problems Higher IQ creates less problems Social support: Other parent, teachers, religious figure Family stress: high stress, less support

Incest

Sexual relations between blood relatives

Gender of child and parental type of adults who physically abuse children

Single parents Single parents with live-in partners are 10 times higher

Factors predisposing to overcome external inhibitors

Social situations such as the type and amount of supervision a child receives Lack of a parental figure close to or protective of the victim Unusual sleeping or living arrangements

Family and interpersonal difficulties of adults who physically abuse children

Spousal tension/abuse Isolation Deficits in positive interactions Intergenerational abuse Deficits in family cohesion

Psychopathological model

Stresses the characteristics of the abuser as the primary cause of abuse. The abuser's personality predisposes the abuser to injure the child.

Emotional and behavior difficulties of adults who physically abuse children

Substance abuse/dependency Depression Anxiety Low self-esteem Stress Anger control problems Deficits in empathy Rigid Low frustration tolerance Poor problem solving skills

Solo rings

Typified by an individual who keeps the sexual activity and pornographic material secret and does not inform or involve other adults

Physical indicators of child abuse

Unexplained bruises or welts that may be in various stages of healing, in clusters of unusual patterns, or on several different areas Unexplained burns in the shape of a cigarette, rope, or iron or caused by immersion which may appear socklike or glovelike Unexplained lacerations to mouth, lips, arms, legs, or torso Unexplained skeletal injuries, stiff swollen joints, or multiple or spiral fractures Missing or loosened teeth Human bite marks Bald spots Unexplained abrasions Appearance of injuries after school absence, weekend, or vacation

Explanations to be carefully evaluated by any professional in the field

Unexplained injury Impossible explanation Different versions of the incident Different explanations Delay in seeking medical attention

Fixated offender

Usually attracted to male children Unable to form a heterosexual relationship with someone his own age

Interactional model

Views child abuse as a result of a dysfuctional system

Environmental-sociological-cultural model

Views child abuse as a result of stresses in society

Ecological theory of child neglect

Views family behavior and neglect as a result of social causes

Intergenerational transmission

Violence is learned from one generation to the next

Syndicated rings

Well-organized businesses that recruit and peddle children to customers who desire certain types of sexual activity Very structured and engage in child pornography, prostitution, and other sexual activities

Risk factors associated with the parent-child relationship: characteristics of a child

Young age Physical/mental disability Insufficiently self-protective Difficult child behaviors

Munchhausen by proxy

adult caretakers falsify to medical personnel physical and/or psychological symptoms in a child to meet their own psychological needs

Mediators or moderators of abuse effects

frequency, severity and duration; polyvictimization; prior involvement with CPS; child's attributions; family stress, sociocultural factors; trauma symptoms; social support; child's temperament; child's relationship with abuser

Familial theory of incest

holds that this taboo establishes the father as the authority figure in the family and preconditions women to accept this domination in society

Long-term effects of CPA

injuries, pain, specific illness