Child Abuse

Question 1

How is physical abuse defined?

Answer 1

Non-accidental injuries resulting from certain actions, some states include reference of injury as result of neglect

Question 2

How is neglect defined differently in NSW?

Answer 2

Parent’s caretaking role- can’t neglect a child that isn’t yours

Question 3

What is added in the definition of sexual abuse in NSW?

Answer 3

Presence of coercion as intrinsic to the abuse, diff from consensual peer sexual activity

Question 4

What are the two important components of defining sexual abuse?

Answer 4

1. Coercion

2. Disparity in understanding of what is happening between parties

Question 5

What category is abuse under in the DSM-5 and how is physical abuse defined?

Answer 5

Child Maltreatment and neglect
Non-accidental injury from minor bruises to severe fracture and death- doesn’t include discipline as long as no bodily injury

Question 6

How is sexual abuse defined in the DSM?

Answer 6

sexual act involving child intended to provide gratification to parent/carer/other who is responsible for child

Question 7

Is neglect of abuse more common and how prevalent is sexual abuse?

Answer 7

Neglect more common

Females 1/4- 1/2, 1/6 males

Question 8

Who are commonly perpetrators for neglect/physcial, fatal and sexual abuse?

Answer 8

Phys: mothers, unemployed families
Fatal: biological mother or step father
Sexual: 90% males, 95% known to child, step fathers 7x more likely than bio

Question 9

Is physical and sexual abuse a generational problem?

Answer 9

30-40% were abused as children

Learning theory

Question 10

What are some signs of abuse in children?

Answer 10

less intimate with peers, more aggressive/angry, destruction of toys, low self-esteem, sexualised behaviour

Question 11

What are the legal requirements for psychologists in NSW in regards to child abuse?

Answer 11

Mandatory notification (incl harm from witnessing DV)
Report to Department of Family and Community Services

Question 12

What are some interventions?

Answer 12

Group therapy- particularly good for adolescents
Dyadic treatment- enhance and/or repair damage to relationships
Individual treatment (therapeutic alliance important)

Question 13

What are treatment issues for victims of sexual abuse?

Answer 13

Trust, emotional reaction (feeling responsible loss of identity), behavioural (sexualised behaviour, aggression, self-harm), protecting from future victimisation

Question 14

What was found by the Senate Community Affairs References Committee?

Answer 14

Enquiry of out of home placements in Aus- questionable care in orphanages, group homes, foster care, homes for disability, detention.
Historically sexual abuse norm rather than exception. Clinically important- no-one goes through system without damage