Emotional abuse

Home: K to 12: Respect Protect Connect Program: Information for educators

This is an extract from the Respect Protect Connect workshop manual, by Timothy O'Leary and Russell Pratt.

Emotional abuse is the most prevalent form of child maltreatment. Sadly, its impact upon a young person is often mistakenly relegated behind sexual and physical abuse.

The effects of emotional abuse are felt in the sense of helplessness and worthlessness experienced by physically abused children, in the sense of violation and shame found in sexually abused children, and in the lack of support experienced by neglected children (Brassard & McNeil, 1987; Hyman, 1987; Schakel, 1987). Purely as a result of emotional abuse, many children experience a failure to thrive, both emotionally and physically (Tomison & Tucci, 1997).

Tomison & Tucci suggest that effective interventions with victims of emotional abuse require family support work, community education, support networks for children, and support networks for parents and caregivers.

Work with young male victims of emotional abuse requires an ability to see past their often-present defensiveness or defiance and an understanding of the vulnerability and low self-esteem that drives their way of being in the world. For them to engage with you they need to know it is safe for them to do so.

Connect:

Australians Against Child Abuse.
Department of Human Services - Child Protection Crisis Line.

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Disclaimer Copyright Updated: 21 Sep 2009