Consultation “What is child abuse in the family”

The essence and causes of violence

The family is the first social institution for a child. This is a place in which he should always feel safe, but sometimes the opposite happens: the family turns out to be the most dangerous place for a child.

Violence is the use of force or psychological attacks on weak and defenseless people (children). But violence can also be inaction, which creates a threat to the physical and mental health of the child. It is doubly dangerous if violence and family are one and the same.

The origin of this phenomenon is usually attributed to the 19th century, when the industrialization of society began, and children began to be exploited, sent to work, deprived of education and prospects. At the same time, the first public organizations began to appear to protect children from violence and exploitation.

In the 20th century, new approaches to studying the problem of violence and abuse of children appeared. The first classifications were compiled. Then violence was divided into pediatric, psychiatric and legal.

The main causes of violence include:

• similar experience in the lives of spouses (model, behavioral stereotype);
• personal experience in the form of suppression in childhood, an authoritative parenting style on the part of the mother (in the future reflected in violence against women, as attempts to break ties with the mother);
• the influence of socio-economic unfavorable conditions, unemployment, low social status;
• dissatisfaction with oneself and life;
• psychopathology;
• deviations and addictions;
• fear;
• inadequate self-affirmation and achievement of power caused by low self-esteem and low self-esteem;
• an unwanted child in the family.

The cause of violence, naturally, lies in the psyche of the parent. The need to find this and work through it is one of the tasks of a psychotherapist when working with a family (the work is carried out not only with the child). Any aggression or violence always has a subjective motive. Another question is that it is not always recognized by the aggressor himself.

Sometimes violence is an attempt to stabilize the state of the family as a system, for example, in the struggle for order or power. Then you need to work with the family as a system and eliminate the causes of its dysfunction. Otherwise, violence will become either chronic or episodic.

Child abuse as a psychological trauma has a number of features:

• Children do not always understand the essence of what is happening;
• if they are aware of the essence, they are not always aware of the true consequences for their physical and mental health;
• events can be forgotten (the children's brain is designed to quickly displace negativity), but make themselves felt in adulthood;
• Children are more likely to tell peers about violence rather than to another family member (if at all).

Program for the prevention of violence and abuse of children and adolescents “Right to Childhood”

Program for the prevention of violence and abuse of children and adolescents “Right to Childhood”. Sdvizhkova Nika Nikolaevna, social work specialist of the organizational and methodological department, Rechkalova Liliya Vyacheslavovna, deputy director, State Budgetary Institution SO KK "Krasnodar CCSON of the Central District". Participants of the competition “Social Innovations - 2019”, nomination “Social program, project, technology, methodology, prepared for working with recipients of social services.”

The full author's edition is published

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The relevance of preventing child abuse is due to the fact that violence against children or neglect of their basic needs has a negative impact on the mental development of the child, disrupts his socialization, and gives rise to neglect and juvenile delinquency.

According to sociological studies in our country, about two and a half million minors under the age of 14 are beaten by their own parents. More than 50 thousand children and adolescents run away from home every year to escape abuse; more than 50% of domestic crimes are committed in the presence of children; 30-40% of all serious crimes are committed in families where there are minors.

According to data from the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Krasnodar Territory, 2,578 crimes were committed against children in 2020, which is 149 less than in 2017 (-5.5%). Despite this, in 16 municipalities of the region there is an increase in the number of crimes against minors.

Of particular concern is the increase in the number of criminal acts against the sexual integrity and sexual freedom of minors, as well as crimes such as driving minors to suicide, illegal production, sale or transfer of narcotic drugs, and inducing minors to use them.

Having analyzed crimes committed against minors, it was found that the largest number of victims are children aged 14 to 18 years – 51%, aged 7 to 14 years – 33%, aged 0 to 7 years – 11%. The social status of families from which crimes have been committed against children is characterized as follows: single-parent families - 31%, large families - 15%, SOP - 5%, homeowners' association - 2%, foster family - 2%, foster family - 1%. Only 8% of minors against whom crimes were committed came to the attention of the authorities and institutions of the prevention system and were registered on various types of records.

Thus, the number of cases of child abuse by parents (legal representatives) remains consistently high. At the same time, 92% of minors against whom crimes were committed lived in families that were not in the field of view of specialists.

Therefore, the problem of violence and abuse of children in the family today is an issue whose solution requires the necessary urgent measures.

CATEGORY OF SERVED, DATES OF IMPLEMENTATION

This Program will be used by employees of the family and children assistance department of the State Budgetary Institution SO KK "Krasnodar CCSON of the Central District" (hereinafter referred to as the department and institution) in working with the following categories of recipients of social services:

large low-income families:

single-parent families raising minor children;

families in which a minor is in conflict with the law;

families at risk of deprivation of parental rights;

families in which one or both parents (legal representatives) are dependent.

The duration of the program is long-term.

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM

The program is aimed at preventing and preventing violence in the family and among adolescents, where, on the one hand, young people can become victims of abuse (both from loved ones and from strangers or unfamiliar people), and on the other hand, to prevent such situations where teenagers themselves can be offenders and show cruelty.

The purpose of the Program is to form a system in the institution for the protection of minors from all forms of cruelty and violence, ensuring the safety of children, preventing abuse through the organization and application of preventive measures.

To achieve this goal, it is necessary to complete the following tasks:

• organizing the timely identification of minors and their families in a socially dangerous situation, including a difficult life situation;
• protection of the rights and legitimate interests of registered minors;
• providing social, psychological, pedagogical assistance and support to registered minors;
• increasing the legal literacy of minors in relation to crimes against the person, expanding socio-psychological competence in order to reduce latent domestic violence of their parents;
• teaching minors safe behavior in order to protect themselves from aggression from others, as well as to establish partnerships with peers and in their future family, increasing the information security of minors;
• increasing the pedagogical literacy of parents through teaching methods of non-violent pedagogy, the formation of stable views on education, relationships in the family, conflict resolution;
• introduction of the latest technologies, psychological trainings aimed at organizing joint activities of minors and adults that can change the system of existing relationships;
• informing citizens about the essence and consequences of violence against children, creating an intolerant attitude in society towards various manifestations of violence.

FORMS, METHODS OF WORK TECHNOLOGY

The main forms and methods of work within the program are:

• social patronage;
• observation; survey; survey;
• carrying out diagnostic procedures (questionnaire tests);
• monitoring the dynamics of the family situation (socio-psychological and socio-pedagogical);
• consulting;
• group socio-psychological trainings, exercises for parents;
• family therapy;
• correctional classes for minors;
• individual preventive conversations;
• parent lecture hall.

Program implementation mechanism

The program is aimed at working with minors and their parents who are registered in the category of difficult life situations, including a socially dangerous situation.

The main stages of the Program implementation are:

I – Informational. Obtaining information about family troubles

Considering that cases of violence and abuse of children are not uncommon in dysfunctional families, timely identification of such families and provision of psychological and pedagogical assistance to them are of great importance in preventive work.

The main ways to obtain information about the alleged dysfunction of the family are:

• “helplines”, public receptions, citizens’ gatherings, receptions of citizens by officials;
• citizens' appeals;
• appeals from minors;
• information from bodies and institutions of the system for preventing neglect and delinquency of minors, other bodies and institutions implementing measures to prevent neglect and delinquency of minors and other organizations;
• conducting raids, patronage, door-to-door visits, including by educational organizations, social protection institutions, raid groups as part of the implementation of the Laws of the Krasnodar Territory of June 28, 2007 No. 1267-KZ “On the participation of citizens in the protection of public order in the Krasnodar Territory” and from July 21, 2008 No. 1539-KZ “On measures to prevent neglect and juvenile delinquency in the Krasnodar Territory”;
• results of official investigations into accidents involving minors;
• court decisions (sentences, rulings, rulings);
• results of consideration of cases and other materials at meetings of municipal commissions and other collegial bodies (administrative commissions);
• information from medical organizations on the results of postpartum visits and medical examinations of children;
• information from the media;
• other sources of information, the receipt of which is permitted in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation and the Krasnodar Territory.

When receiving information about an alleged problem, department specialists, together with specialists from the prevention system, check the information received through an initial examination of the living conditions of the minor and (or) family, during which a report on the inspection of living conditions is drawn up.

II – Diagnostic. Diagnosis of families and minors for problems

Diagnostics during the initial examination is an important stage in working with a dysfunctional family and allows us to make an assumption about the presence or absence of violence and abuse in the family, which in the future, if present, will be confirmed by other research methods.

The main purpose of diagnostics is to draw a conclusion about the state of a particular family, its inherent trends, as well as the need to provide various types of help and support.

The diagnostic methods used are traditional and complement each other: observation, questionnaires, surveys, testing, conversations. A special group consists of methods for studying the family through the eyes of a child: drawing techniques, game tasks, a technique for commenting on pictures, a technique for completing a story, a technique for unfinished sentences, etc.

Of great importance is the conversation with parents during the initial visit to the family, during which the level of emotional support and autonomy of family members, features of the parenting style, norms and rules of the family are determined.

When diagnosing communications in a family and relationships between its members, studying emotional problems around which conflict is formed, identifying emotional and psychological characteristics of the family system, and determining the level of development of communication skills, a family genogram is used.

To determine directions for further work within the framework of this stage, information is collected and analyzed.

General information (residence address and registration, family composition: full names of parents and children, their age, nationality; information from institutions indicating the family’s troubles, for example, from the Department of Labor and Social Affairs, schools, clinics, etc.) . General information gives an idea of ​​all socially disadvantaged families in a certain territory and the nature of their disadvantage.

Special information (information about the social status of the family: complete, single-parent, unemployed, large families, low-income; health status, level of education, dysfunction of the family, etc.). Special information allows you to more deeply and objectively assess the state of family problems, identify their causes, and plan work to provide targeted social assistance and support to a specific family. Specific information is collected in a more targeted manner, taking into account the categories of specific families.

Information about the family and child can come from various sources. You can learn about the family and the child’s position in it from the child’s neighbors, relatives, peers and friends. You can obtain information about the family from housing and communal services (presence of debt for an apartment), health care institutions, education, etc. This method of collecting information is called the method of independent assessments. The more diverse the sources of information, the more complete and accurate information can be obtained about the family.

Sources of information about the family and child

School social workers can provide information about the child’s social status, class attendance and performance in school subjects, the interests of the minor, his relationships in the family, in the school community, etc. If the family is registered, then you can obtain information about the nature of the relationships between family members, about the fulfillment of their duties by parents, about the work with the family carried out by school specialists, and its results.

KDNiZP specialists – whether the minor is registered, whether he has previously committed offenses, or whether he has been prosecuted; reported cases of abuse of minors by parents.

Specialists from the guardianship and trusteeship authorities provide additional information about minors who are left without parental care or who are in an environment that poses a threat to their life and health.

Specialists of social protection authorities can report identified neglected and street minors in need of social rehabilitation; about social payments made to this family; about the benefits, benefits, compensation that she enjoys.

Clinic specialists provide information about the health status of family members, the use of benefits for treatment and the purchase of medicines.

Neighbors, relatives and other individuals can report officially unregistered cases of child abuse by parents or their legal representatives; about the presence of scandals in the family; about facts of children running away from home, their use of alcoholic beverages, drugs, etc.

The main methods of collecting information are:

conversation (with neighbors, class teacher, relatives, KDNiZP specialists, etc.);

observation;

official request (to authorities, institutions and organizations in order to obtain documentary evidence of information about the social status of the family, about receiving benefits, pensions, about assigned housing, about the family’s registration at the place of residence, etc.);

analysis of documentation (received from government agencies of guardianship and trusteeship, healthcare, education, social protection departments, etc.);

Questionnaires and testing (to conduct a clarifying diagnosis of individual characteristics, style of upbringing in the family, the nature of intra-family relationships, etc.) can be carried out both for individual recipients of social services and for all family members.

Taking into account the diagnostic results, a social map of the family is drawn up and an individual plan for working with the family is developed.

III – Corrective. Correction of parent-child relationships

As part of this stage, work is being carried out aimed at correcting parent-child relationships in families registered in the category of difficult life situations, including a socially dangerous situation. As a rule, the main problems of such families are the lack of mutual understanding between parents and children, as well as the lack of psychological and pedagogical knowledge among parents to effectively raise a child. Relationships in such families are destructive in nature and require correction, which is achieved by recognizing pedagogical errors, developing skills for effective interaction within the family and introducing these skills into the practice of everyday life.

The main aspects of this stage are educating parents, introducing them to methods of proper communication, providing them with psychological support, and creating a favorable psychological climate in the family.

It is important to form an emotional connection between parent and child and, as a result, to establish warm relationships based on mutual love and respect.

As part of the implementation of this block, the following forms and methods of work will be used: socio-psychological trainings; consultations; correctional classes; individual preventive conversations.

In order to increase the psychological competence of parents, the ABC of Parental Love club operates at the center. The club's classes are aimed at increasing the psychological and pedagogical literacy of parents, forming their emotional connection with the child, developing constructive ways to resolve conflict situations in the family, identifying and correcting parental attitudes and positions.

IV – Preventive. Preventive work with families and minors to prevent violence and abuse

Preventive work includes preventative activities and individual work with families and minors, which is carried out through a system of mass events held at the center, individual conversations to teach children and adults personal safety techniques, etc.

An important aspect in organizing work to prevent violence and abuse against children is the participation of parents and children in joint events, various promotions and holidays, which allows them to form emotional closeness and affection between children and parents, develop constructive interaction skills, and makes it possible to teach parents how to involving their children in various types of joint activities (including play).

One of the important areas of work at this stage is raising awareness about the problem of violence and abuse, as well as developing responsible behavior among program participants.

Most of the activities at this stage are conversations, classes during which Program participants will acquire skills that help them recognize and avoid violence in various situations, and skills to build non-violent relationships with others in the family.

In addition, in order to provide information about countering violence and abuse, protecting children’s rights, and providing assistance in difficult life situations, the program provides for the distribution of information booklets, brochures, and leaflets.

V – Methodical. Methodological support for activities to prevent violence and abuse

Methodological support for activities to prevent violence and abuse is aimed at studying and disseminating experience, increasing the competence of specialists working with families and registered minors, and provides for the development of an algorithm for the activities of prevention specialists and the necessary program and methodological material.

Violence and Abuse Prevention Action Plan

ALGORITHM FOR IDENTIFYING A CASE OF CRUEL TREATMENT AND PLANNING ASSISTANCE FOR A VICTIM CHILD

I - receiving information involves collecting information about child abuse, which can come from various sources - neighbors, friends, passers-by, clinics, police, social protection authorities, citizens, etc. in order to organize early detection of cases of abuse. Conducting information and educational work with minors, parents (legal representatives), center specialists, explaining to them the signs of child abuse or neglect of their needs, the procedure for action if such signs are detected

II – investigation of a signal about a case of abuse involves conducting a preliminary assessment of the identified case of abuse, socio-psychological diagnosis of the situation of the family, team, and conducting an individual conversation with children, parents (legal representatives).

III – child safety assessment involves a timely assessment of safety and risk in situations where a child is subjected to physical (sexual) violence or is in conditions of neglect and neglect. The current state of the child is assessed by the state of his physical health, emotional state, the danger of the immediate social environment and the presence of a high risk to his safety, life and health if left without help.

IV – organizing the protection of a child victim of abuse involves investigating the fact of child abuse.

V – control of the dynamics of the family situation, the situation in the team involves family patronage, individual conversations, questionnaires, testing of students and their parents (legal representatives).

VI – completion of assistance.

Personnel and material support of the Program

Personnel and material support for the Program is carried out in accordance with the legislation and regulations of the Krasnodar Territory, regulations in the field of social protection of the population, and regulations of the Center.

The Program is supported by:

social work specialists of the family and children assistance department and the organizational and methodological department;

methodologists of the department of assistance to families and children and the organizational and methodological department;

educational psychologist;

psychologist;

lawyer;

teacher of additional education;

representatives of the institution's administration.

If necessary, joint work is organized with specialists from bodies and institutions of the system for the prevention of neglect and juvenile delinquency in Krasnodar, as well as cultural, sports, educational institutions, and leisure centers in Krasnodar.

ASSESSMENT OF PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION PERFORMANCE

To assess the effectiveness of working with families, specialists use a parametric method, the essence of which boils down to comparing two groups of parameters:

1) the initial state of the family (at the time of the initial diagnosis, before starting work with this family);

2) the control state of the family (at the time of the control diagnosis, after the planned work with the family).

Methods for assessing the effectiveness of program implementation:

questionnaire (survey) of representatives of the target group of the service;

diagnostic data;

administrative control;

quality control (supervision and expert assessment of the deputy director of the institution supervising activities to prevent family troubles).

Expected results of the program implementation

Creation on the basis of the institution of a system for the protection of minors from all forms of cruelty and violence, which will ensure the safety of registered children and will contribute to the prevention of cruelty;

Increasing the number of children, adolescents and young people who have received reliable information about the problem of cruelty and violence and ways to overcome it;

Forming a negative opinion among minors and their parents towards all forms of abuse;

Improving the quality of life of minors, instilling in them a sense of purpose, a sense of responsibility, and establishing a positive relationship with others;

Increasing the level of parental competence in raising children, acquiring and using skills of constructive interaction with a teenager;

Formation in society of an intolerant attitude towards various manifestations of violence against children, increasing information security.

RESULT OBTAINED

This program has been implemented at the institution since October 1, 2017.

The work carried out within the framework of the program over two years contributed to the creation in the institution of a system for protecting minors from all forms of cruelty and violence, which ensures the safety of children and helps prevent abuse. The result of the creation of this system is the absence of cases of abuse and violence in families against registered children and adolescents.

During the implementation of the program, 100% of registered minors aged 10 to 18 years received reliable information about situations where a child is subjected to physical (sexual) violence or is in conditions of neglect and neglect, as well as ways to prevent domestic violence and among teenagers.

The early prevention measures of abuse used within the program contribute to the formation of a negative opinion among minors and their parents towards all forms of abuse.

Analysis of the program implementation results showed that all program activities were carefully thought out and prepared, and the main problematic issues were resolved promptly. The department's specialists use various forms and methods in their work. The implementation of the program contributes to the qualitative improvement of the activities of the department of assistance to families and children of the State Budgetary Institution SO KK "Krasnodar CCSON of the Central District".

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Alekseeva I.A., Novoselsky I.G. Child abuse. Causes. Consequences. Help. – M.: Genesis, 2005. – 256 p.
2. Vasiliev N.N. Conflict overcoming training. – St. Petersburg: Publishing House “Rech”, 2002. – 112 p.
3. Gretsov A. Communication training for teenagers. – St. Petersburg: Peter, 2006. – 84 p.
4. Johnson D.W. Communication and development training. / Per. from English – M.: Progress, 2001. – 140 p.
5. Karabanova O.A. Psychology of family relationships and the basics of family counseling. – M.: 2008. – 320 p.
6. Lyutova E.K., Monina G.B. Communication training with a child. – St. Petersburg: Publishing House “Rech”, 2008. – 176 p.
7. Monina G.B., Lyutova-Roberts E.K. Communication training. – St. Petersburg: Publishing House “Rech”, 2007. – 224 p.
8. Pavlov I.V. Communication with a child: interaction training. – St. Petersburg: Publishing House “Rech”, 2008. – 87 p.
9. Panfilova M.A. Game therapy of communication: Tests and correctional games. A practical guide for psychologists, teachers and parents. – M.: “Publishing house GNOM and D”, 2002. – 160 p. (To help the psychologist.)
10. Psychological, pedagogical and social support for adolescents: programs, group classes, project activities / author. Pyrochkina S.A., Pogorelova O.P. – Volgograd: Teacher, 2008. – 123 p.
11. Ramek V.G. Confidence training in interpersonal relationships. – St. Petersburg: Rech Publishing House, 2005 – 148 p.

Program for the prevention of violence and abuse of children and adolescents “Right to Childhood”
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Types of violence

Violence can be direct or indirect, isolated or systematic, current or past. But the classification according to the content of violence is more important than others:

1. Physical violence. These are any physical acts of violence against a child under 18 years of age, including punishment options (spanking, pushing, grabbing, etc.).
2. Neglect of responsibilities. This means failure to comply with parental responsibilities, ignoring the needs of the child, and inadequate care for the child.
3. Sexual violence. Using a child under 18 for the purpose of obtaining sexual pleasure. Any erotic contact with or exploitation of a child (pornography).
4. Psychological abuse. Humiliation, insults, ridicule and other degrading behavior patterns.

Sexual violence includes several forms:

• Depraved acts. Any actions on the part of an adult that can cause excitement in a child under 14 years of age and form an inadequate attitude towards sexual relations. Actions can be physical (bodily) or intellectual (demonstration of materials).
• Pedophilia. Sexual harassment of a child under 14 years of age.
• Pornography. Any form of demonstration of sexual relations (books, films, magazines).
• Coercion to engage in sexual activity. Not physical, but mental influence on the child, gradually forcing him to enter into some kind of sexual relationship. You can put pressure with the status of an adult, with blackmail.

Child abuse is a general term for any kind of violence. This is actual harm to a child:

• through insults and incorrect punishments;
• inadequate requirements and strict control;
• prohibitions.

Abuse can be called physical actions (beatings), murder, harm due to failure to provide assistance, neglect of a child and his needs, mental harm, lack of protection and care.

Responsibility for violence against children in the family

In the Russian Federation, all types of domestic violence against children, if proven in court, can be classified as “child abuse.” Punishment can be administrative (for improper performance of parental responsibilities for the maintenance and upbringing of children) or criminal (for all types of sexual and physical violence, as well as for some forms of emotional violence). The maximum sentence for domestic violence against children is twenty years in prison.

Every aggressive parent must remember that child abuse can result in a long prison sentence.

In many families, it is considered absolutely normal to use light means of physical force in raising children: spanking, pinching, and others. It would seem that this behavior of parents is not dangerous for the child and it cannot be equated to physical violence. However, according to Russian legislation, any methods of influencing a person that cause physical pain, but do not cause damage to health, are equated to beatings. Punishment for beatings, if proven, is correctional labor for up to one year or imprisonment for up to two years.

Signs of violence

It is not easy to suspect external violence, which is due to:

• the closeness of the family as a system;
• interdependent relationship between aggressor and victim;
• lack of information;
• intimidation and mistrust on the part of the victim.

Basically it all comes down to the fact that a family where violence reigns is a closed system. But there are a few things that can hint at child abuse:

• screams, claps, slaps, swearing, clearly audible behind the wall (many apartments are separated by thin walls, and violence does not always occur silently);
• traces of beatings on the child;
• the child’s unkempt appearance, clothing inappropriate for the weather.

Signs of physical abuse include:

• damage to body organs and sensory organ disturbances;
• inactivity, lethargy, delayed physical and mental development;
• anxiety and aggression towards other people or animals;
• shyness, passivity, fear of adults;
• avoidance of home, fear of tactile contacts;
• communication with young children.

Signs of psychological abuse include:

• psychotrauma and (or) post-traumatic stress syndrome;
• in children up to middle school age – delay in physical and speech development;
• in adolescents – loss of meaning and purpose in life, disorientation, thoughts of suicide;
• impulsiveness, anger, manipulative disorders (thumb sucking, hair pulling);
• humility and pliability;
• fears and problems with sleep;
• depression and lethargy;
• deviations;
• diseases.

Signs of child sexual abuse:

• the child's age-inappropriate or strange awareness of sexual matters or activities;
• sexual harassment by a child of other children or adults;
• complaints about some health problems, especially in the genital area;
• anxiety when other children cry;
• nervous tics, rocking, thumb sucking.

Common signs of violence:

• the child's inability to concentrate;
• memory impairment;
• self-hatred, lack of self-esteem, low self-esteem;
• pessimism;
• mistrust towards the whole world, especially adults;
• attacks of anger or aggression;
• chronic feelings of fear, shame, guilt;
• detachment from society;
• depression;
• anhedonia.

According to the law of the Russian Federation, a child himself can apply to the guardianship authorities for protection, and from the age of 14 - to the court, but rarely does a child decide to do this. Violence is usually accompanied by intimidation, as well as fear and habituation of the victim.

Each case of violence (cruelty and intensity) is assessed individually. The individual sensitivity of the child, age and the nature of the relationship between him and the adult are taken into account.

The most difficult thing to suspect is psychological violence or violence against the soul of a child. This is a multifaceted category:

• lack of love and attention;
• threats and ridicule;
• inadequate and excessive demands;
• any parental behavior that causes fear in the child;
• prohibitions;
• psychological pressure;
• overprotection;
• manipulation;
• any motives “out of love” that are harmful to the child’s health.

Because of this, low self-esteem, self-doubt, and loss of self-esteem are noted. With overprotection, a feeling of helplessness and complete dependence on parents develops. Separation from the family, social or physical orphanhood of a child forever leaves a mark in the form of a feeling of emotional insecurity. It is not a fact that the consequences will immediately manifest themselves; they may arise years later.

Consequences of physical punishment

A preschooler or preschooler who is often physically punished ceases to understand reasonable arguments. It is impossible to come to an agreement with such a child; he understands only force and considers as authority only those who can hit. It is because of these consequences that child psychology experts categorically prohibit the use of a belt as punishment.

Physical punishment brings mental suffering

Children who are often beaten usually grow up either cruel (and then beat their children themselves) or intimidated, easily succumbing to the influence of others for fear of reprisals. Both development options are deviations from the norm. Also, constant physical punishment can lead to periodic bursts of unmotivated aggression at home, school, and kindergarten. This psychological factor should not be overlooked.

In no case should one show indifference if a nearby child or teenager suffers from arbitrariness on the part of adults. We must do everything possible to ensure that the situation does not happen again. In this case, it is necessary to have a serious conversation with his parents (relatives), explaining the unacceptability of violence and the possible risks that arise from such behavior. If the conversation is unsuccessful, the duty of a concerned citizen is to contact the guardianship authorities. Representatives of the authorities will visit the dysfunctional family and explain to the parents what rights their child has.

Consequences of violence

A child or adolescent who has experienced violence feels fear, confusion, shame, and powerlessness. He often blames himself and perceives himself as an accomplice and the root cause of what happened. Sometimes he considers his behavior or position in the family to be the reason. Other consequences include a decrease in trust and social circle.

Many reactions depend on the age of the child:

1. Children under 3 years old. Popular reactions include: fear, mixed feelings, aggression, loss of appetite.
2. Preschoolers. There is anxiety, fearfulness, feelings of guilt and shame, mixed feelings, disgust, and a feeling of helplessness.
3. Junior schoolchildren. There is uncertainty among the student in family roles, an ambivalent attitude towards adults, fear, shame, disgust, and distrust of the whole world.
4. Younger teenagers. Depression and sensory emptiness (there are no sensations or feelings) are added to the previous consequences.
5. Older teenagers. Characterized by disgust, shame, guilt, duality of feelings towards adults, deviant behavior, and a feeling of uselessness.

Sexual violence is especially dangerous when it manifests itself in adulthood:

• psychosomatic diseases;
• lack of acceptance of your body;
• dependent behavior;
• problems in sexual relationships;
• repeated violence (men who have been subjected to violence commit it themselves; women who have been subjected to violence find themselves again in the role of victims).

As the child gets older, there may also be retaliatory violence, loss of self-esteem, mental disorders, and suicide attempts.

Any violence in adult life leaves the following traces:

• violation of self-concept;
• guilt;
• depression;
• sexual dysfunctions;
• problems in interpersonal relationships.

Violation of physical and mental boundaries as a result of violence affects the entire future life and behavior of a person. And the experience is repeated again and again.

In general, three areas of violence can be distinguished in a family: parents against children, adults against adults, and one of the family members against the elderly. And each of these forms is dangerous for the child. If it is not he himself who is subjected to violence, but, for example, his mother, then the following are possible:

• psychoemotional and psychosomatic disorders;
• school maladjustment;
• problems in social adaptation.

Families with violence are always at risk, since such an atmosphere is not suitable for raising a child. Children who grow up in violence, as a rule, later become victims or aggressors themselves (95%).

Possible consequences

Violence against a child in the family can result in the following sad consequences:

• acute and chronic diseases of internal organs, if the child is malnourished or does not receive the necessary medical care;
• insomnia and nightmares;
• mental disorders: bulimia - an eating disorder in which excessive eating alternates with prolonged fasting. The next stage of such an eating disorder is anorexia;
• depression, in which a person loses the ability to rejoice and experience other positive emotions;

  

  Depression in a child is a possible consequence of domestic violence

Among the long-term consequences of child abuse are disorders of the child’s physical and mental development, various somatic diseases, personal and emotional disorders, and social consequences. Almost all children who have suffered from abuse and neglect have experienced mental trauma, as a result of which they develop further with certain personal, emotional and behavioral characteristics that negatively affect their future life.

Kolontay N. N., psychiatrist

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Diagnosis of violence

It is also difficult to identify violence because parents themselves do not always perceive their actions as violent. They raise their child, yes, using the carrot method without the stick, but this is education. Or the carrot and stick method, then the child takes the beatings for granted for his misdeeds and therefore is even less likely to tell anyone.

There is one more thing that complicates the situation. In fact, any violence is associated with mental violence. Therefore, we have to work with several forms of violence at once.

Physical violence

Diagnostic signs of abuse that can be noted during a conversation with parents:

• nervous behavior;
• a fantastic description of the origins of a child's injuries;
• blaming other people or the child himself;
• multiple contradictions in injury history;
• accusing a child of lying;
• inadequate assessment, expectations and requirements that are not appropriate for the child’s age or developmental level.

Suspicion should be strengthened by the fact that the child is often in the emergency room, repeated similar injuries, and a large time interval between the injuries and going to the hospital.

The problem is that it is possible to notice nonverbal and verbal signs of parents’ lies and resourcefulness only in conditions of close observation and communication. Is this situation available to everyone who cares? No. The neighbor won't be allowed on the threshold of the house. Only social workers can achieve such a meeting with parents. The task of witnesses and eyewitnesses is to facilitate this meeting.

Diagnostic reactions during conversations with children:

• anxiety;
• reluctance and fear of meeting parents;
• the child’s conviction that punishment is justified;
• fear that social workers (defenders) will side with the parents after the conversation and find out that the punishments are justified by the child’s bad behavior;
• crying at any failure;
• tendency to fight;
• flinching at the slightest movement of a hand nearby.

Sometimes it really happens that a child comes up with a story about violence, which may be caused by a need for attention and sympathy, conflicts with friends or in a family rich in imagination. But then the child’s emotional and behavioral reactions will contradict the content of the story. In such cases, fear of parents and other signs and consequences of violence are not noted, but the child’s pleasure in being listened to and enthusiasm for the story is noticeable.

The described signs cannot be regarded separately from the context and family history, but there are a number of diagnostic markers that make it clear about physical abuse:

• bruises, bites, burns, scars;
• signs of suffocation;
• any damage that remains without a clear and correct explanation on the part of the parents;
• low self-esteem of the child;
• reluctance and fear to return home;
• baggy clothes that hide beatings;
• self-accusation of provocations towards the rapist;
• the child perceives beatings as family order and norm;
• excitement, crying, fear during screams, scandals.

Sexual violence

The difficulty in diagnosing sexual violence is that some family members may cover for others, even if the crime is known.

Teenagers react more seriously because they understand what exactly happened to them. As a rule, they change their entire lifestyle, clothing, and environment. Healthy feelings such as empathy and sympathy turn into aggression or blind subordination (to a person, to a cause). Pre-adolescent children show classic signs.

Diagnostic markers of child sexual abuse in the family include:

• good knowledge in matters of sexual relations beyond one's age;
• bruises, itching, blood in the genital area;
• sexual behavioral perversions;
• sudden changes in the child’s behavior;
• change in gait, discomfort when walking and sitting;
• eating disorders;
• self-loathing;
• nightmares and sleep disturbances;
• suicidal tendencies and depression;
• indulgence, compliance in relation to adults;
• deviant behavior.

Neglecting the child's needs

The most common type of violence and the least understood by parents. Even in seemingly prosperous families one can find its elements, for example, a lack of love and attention due to being busy at work.

Therefore, this species is the most controversial in terms of diagnosis. It is customary to judge neglect when there are obvious and serious violations: the child is hungry, poorly dressed, dirty, does not receive medical care or education, is left alone and is in danger.

Deprived children are characterized by promiscuity in building relationships and attempts to attract attention. Other diagnostic markers include:

• pedagogical neglect (small vocabulary, speech problems);
• retardation in physical development;
• unpleasant smell, dirt and hunger;
• depression, passivity and fearfulness;
• stinginess of emotions and poverty of reactions to kindness and praise;
• a feeling of uselessness and the belief “I am not good, I don’t deserve anything, and I will never deserve anything.”

Psychological abuse

The behavior of adults plays a decisive role in diagnosis. Psychological abuse can be suspected if parents:

• they are in no hurry to console the child, communicate with him, or hug him;
• are hypercritical of the child;
• scold, insult, humiliate;
• characterize the child negatively;
• they take out their anger on him on one of his relatives (they associate the child with him);
• openly admit their dislike;
• blame him for their failures.

The child will hint at psychological abuse:

• uncertainty and low self-esteem;
• speech and perception delay;
• tension from anticipation of punishment;
• undeveloped logical thinking;
• disrespect and distrust of adults;
• feigned maturity or independence as a defensive reaction;
• suicidal tendencies.

"Tsunami" of violence: a vicious circle

And a wave of intra-family violence began to roll in, as a result of massive frustrations. In such conditions, a whole generation of children grew up, and have since carried colossal psychological traumas from childhood. Today they have long grown up and become parents themselves, being unable to build psychologically healthy relationships in their family.

However, in addition to the objective prerequisites for the formation of collective and personal frustrations, there is also the individual responsibility of each parent and just an adult in relation to children, to their own psychological states. Following our own shortcomings, grievances, inconsistencies, moods, false attitudes, we cause irreparable damage to our own children, ruining their lives and future.

What to do, where to turn and is there a solution to this problem at the level of the whole society?

Rehabilitation

Eliminating violence always requires comprehensive work by a psychologist with parents and children. The most effective methods are:

• psychotherapy;
• individual and group consultations;
• trainings.

When interacting with a child, you must first achieve his favor and trust. To do this, you cannot focus on the situation, that is, say “Don’t be afraid,” “Don’t worry.” The main method of working with a child is a consultation conversation. But only a qualified specialist can carry it out.

Violence is always a stressful situation for a child, leading to psychological trauma. Accordingly, work should be aimed at eliminating psychotrauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, if it is observed. The best method is psychotherapy.

Prevention of violence

The main directions of prevention: education and information. They should be carried out in relation to children, parents, employees of child care institutions and all citizens in general. It is important to say:

• about what violence is;
• about its types;
• what to do if you become a witness or victim of violence;
• what is the responsibility for violence;
• where you can report violence (organizations, telephone numbers).

You should not talk in the context of “how to avoid becoming a victim of violence,” as this immediately sets the stage for self-accusation. As stated in the article, victims already tend to look within themselves for the reason, but this is not the case.

The essence and statistics

Children of different ages in families of different financial and social status can be subjected to violence. There are statistical studies that can be used to determine which groups of children are at greater risk:

• in 50% of cases, parents who subject their children to violence were themselves victims of violence in childhood;
• Children under 3 years of age are most often victims of violence;
• very often adopted children become victims;
• children with mental or physical disabilities are at risk.

In 77% of cases, the aggressors are the children’s parents, in 11% - other close relatives, and in 2% - strangers (nannies, foster parents).

According to scientists, although there is no exact data on how many people were exposed to violence in childhood, every child has experienced violence or humiliation at least once in his life. In Russia, about 49% of children are subject to intrafamily violence. About 10% of domestic violence victims die. In general, there are one or two deaths per hundred such cases.