Mental health articles

Treatment Plan for Child Abuse What to do immediately

• Your priority is the health and safety of the child. If you suspect the child’s life is in danger, refer him immediately to a place of safety. This could be a family member, a nearby hospital or an organisation working with children.

• Explain to the adults concerned that child abuse is a serious criminal offence and that the abuser is liable for police action if a complaint is made. Carefully write down what was said during the interview. Consider whether informing the police would make the situation worse (for example, if the abuser is the only income earner in the family and he is taken to jail, how will the family survive?). Removing the child to a place of a safety (such as a relative’s house) may provide a temporary solution. In some places health workers are required by law to inform the police of cases of child sexual abuse. In such places you must inform the police and let the legal process take its course.

• Talk to the family members who are available. Explain why you suspect abuse. Many parents are not aware that their actions can be so damaging to the child’s health. Just telling them about the dangers of beating a child or neglecting her emotional needs may bring about a change in their behaviour. Often, a cycle of violence builds up in the home where parents beat their child, who, in turn, misbehaves even more, leading to more beatings.

• If you suspect sexual abuse, then it is unlikely that the family will accept it easily, particularly if the abuser is someone close to the family. Do not accuse anyone. Instead, share your concerns openly with the family and stress that if the abuse continues, the child’s health will be even more seriously affected.

• Teach the child how to ensure her safety. Explain that the abuse is not her fault and she should not feel guilty for having spoken out about it. It is important to make sure this never happens again. Suggest the following to the child regarding how she may prevent abuse from recurring:

• tell the abuser, in a firm manner, not to touch you;

• run away from the abuser – go to another adult who can protect you.

• Put the family in touch with community supports. This could include child support groups, family violence groups, legal support, child protection agencies, the police or specialist health professionals.

Treatment Plan for Child Abuse When to refer

If the child abuse persists or is very serious, refer to a child specialist team and be sure to inform the police.

Treatment Plan for Child Abuse What to do later

Keep in close touch with the child and the family at regular intervals for at least six months. Very often the abuse stops once it has been openly discussed. If it does not, you may need to encourage

the family to take action to stop it. Talk to the child each time; many children do recover from the

trauma, but some children may develop mental health problems and may need specialist help from trained child health workers or counsellors.

 

Tags: abuse, child abuse, treatment