- Written By: N. Madison
- Edited By: Jenn Walker
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2003-2012 Conjecture Corporation
Psychological child abuse is the mental or emotional abuse of a child. With this type of abuse, the abuser does not hit or otherwise physically harm his child victim. Instead, he uses words, intimidation, manipulation, and the withholding of things the child needs or wants to abuse him. In fact, even such acts as withholding affection from a child and isolating him from those who love him can be considered child abuse. Unfortunately, psychological child abuse is often much harder to detect than abuse that is physical in nature, but many mental health experts agree that it is just as scarring.
When a child suffers psychological child abuse, he won't have physical scars to show for it, but this doesn't mean that the abuse is not harming him. When a child experiences psychological abuse, he is harmed emotionally or mentally. In some cases, the abuse may even hurt his social development as well. Without physical evidence, a child is often at the mercy of his abuser for quite some time before someone notices and notifies authorities. In fact, many cases are never discovered, and some children spend their entire childhoods suffering from this type of abuse.
There are many types of psychological child abuse, including verbal abuse, such as belittling and name calling; intimidation; and isolation. Bullying or threatening as well as rejecting and shaming a child are often part of this type of abuse. Likewise, withholding affection can be abusive as well. Some abusers even ignore or refuse to communicate with a child as a way to abuse him. Additionally, this type of child abuse includes encouraging a child to participate in criminal activities, take drugs, or engage in acts that are considered self-destructive.
Since there are no physical signs to indicate psychological child abuse, concerned loved ones, mental health experts, social workers, and legal authorities look for other ways to identify victims. Some symptoms that may indicate such a problem include patterns of being too aggressive or abnormally passive. Children who seem too eager to please others or behave more like adults than children may suffer from psychological or other types of child abuse. Some victims of this type of abuse also behave as if they are much younger than they really are or seem too demanding. Additionally, some may seem withdrawn or suffer delays in their physical, mental, and emotional development — even suicide attempts can point to psychological child abuse.
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drtroubles
Post 6 |
There seems to be a greater focus on how to stop child abuse these days and it is good to see so many resources going to get the facts about child abuse available to the public. I think a lot of people still feel like it would never happen to anyone they know.
I think one of the big wake up calls I had was when social services came by to remove the children from our neighbor's home. We were shocked to see the police there and learn that a child abuse report had been made against the family. I suppose you never really know what goes on behind closed doors.
These days I keep an eye on child abuse websites so I can learn more about how to spot the signs of child abuse. I know I want to watch for anything that may go on with my own kids, especially since they spend so much time outside the home. |
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popcorn
Post 5 |
When I was in university I did some volunteering with one of the child abuse agencies in my hometown. It was a great experience working with one of the child abuse organizations because I really got a feel for how much work needs to go into preventing, identifying and supporting the victims of emotional child abuse.
I think that while many people are aware of laws on child abuse, and how physical violence affects children, they don't really get how bad psychological child abuse can be. It can really attack who a child is, and it can take years to repair the damage caused by negative parenting. |
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shell4life
Post 4 |
@cloudel – You should call your local child protective services branch. They are the experts on handling child abuse cases, and they have the interest of the victim at heart.
When I found out that my neighbor was abusing her young daughter, I called this agency, and they sent someone out to their house that same day. They conducted an investigation and interviewed the child.
The agent had to get a court order before she could take the child away, but she did that rather quickly. Her investigation showed signs of obvious abuse, so the judge did not hesitate to demand that the parent give up the child. |
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cloudel
Post 3 |
I need to know how to report child abuse. I teach piano lessons to a young boy, and I am convinced that his grandmother is mentally abusing him.
He's really sweet, but he's super shy. The first time he messed up during a lesson, he started to cry, because he was afraid I would punish him.
When I came to pick him up for practice one day, the front door was ajar. I heard his grandmother berating him and telling him that he would not get any supper that night because he had put a plate in the wrong cupboard.
I can't stand to let this go on. This sweet boy's parents died a few years ago, and his grandmother is the only family he's got left. He deserves to be in a loving home, and I want to make that happen.
Does anyone know who I should call? Do I go straight to the police, or is there some agency I should contact? |
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wavy58
Post 2 |
@OeKc05 - This is probably true, but I must point out that there are also many children who have suffered psychological abuse that end up to be fairly normal. My parents were cold, and they refused to show me any affection. However, I turned out pretty normal.
The one major effect that it had on me, besides making me really sad as a kid, was that it made me crave affection extremely. I went through a series of bad relationships just to have someone to hold. I couldn't bear to be alone and without physical touch.
I do have a ton of empathy for other people. I cry when I see someone hurting, and I feel their pain. It didn't warp my sense of caring. |
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OeKc05
Post 1 |
The psychological effects of child abuse run deep and can ruin a child's future. A kid with a particularly mean, manipulative parent could easily end up a serial killer.
The problem is that when children aren't shown enough affection and allowed to express their emotions at a young age, they grow up impaired in that area. Some of them may be unable to feel any concern for the feelings of others, and they may become totally self-centered.
People who kill have no regard for the life or feelings of their victims. I think that a large number of killers were psychologically abused as children. |
