Term
|
Definition
| infliction of physical injury |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| inappropriate exposure or sexual contact, activity, or behavior without consent |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| emotional/verbal/mental injury |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| failing to meet physical, emotional, or other needs |
|
|
Term
| Indicators and Dynamics of Sexual Abuse |
|
Definition
| Physical or anatomical signs/injuries associated with the genital and rectal areas. Behavioral signs include any extreme changes in behavior, including regression, fears and anxieties, withdrawal, sleep disturbances, and/or recurrent nightmares. If the victim is a child, he or she may also show an unusual interest in sexual matters or know sexual information inappropriate for his or her age group. Sexual promiscuity, sexual victimization, and prostitution can also be signs. |
|
|
Term
| Some factors influencing the effect of sexual abuse include: |
|
Definition
Age of the victim (at time of abuse and time of assessment)
Extent and duration of sexual abuse
Relationship of offender to victim
Reaction of others to the abuse
Other life experiences |
|
|
Term
| Immediately after disclosing the abuse, an individual is at risk for: |
|
Definition
Disbelief by others (especially if victim is a child or perpetrator is a spouse/partner of an adult)
Being rejected by others
Being blamed for the abuse and the consequences of disclosing the sexual abuse
For a child, one of the most significant factors contributing to adjustment after sexual abuse is the level of parental support. |
|
|
Term
| Some of the effects of sexual abuse can be: |
|
Definition
Aversive feelings about sex; overvaluing sex; sexual identity problems; and/or hypersexual behaviors
Feelings of shame and guilt or feeling responsible for the abuse, which are reflected in self-destructive behaviors (such as substance abuse, self-mutilation, suicidal ideation and gestures, and acts that aim to provoke punishment)
Lack of trust, unwillingness to invest in others; involvement in exploitive relationships; angry and acting-out behaviors
Perceived vulnerability and victimization; phobias; sleep and eating problems |
|
|
Term
| Indicators and Dynamics of Psychological Abuse and Neglect |
|
Definition
Psychological abuse/neglect is sustained, repetitive, and inappropriate behavior aimed at threatening, isolating, discrediting, belittling, teasing, humiliating, bullying, confusing, and/or ignoring. Psychological abuse/neglect can be seen in constant criticism, belittling, teasing, ignoring or withholding of praise or affection, and placing excessive or unreasonable demands, including expectations above what is appropriate.
It can impact intelligence, memory, recognition, perception, attention, imagination, and moral development. Individuals who have been psychologically abused are likely to be fearful, withdrawn, and/or resentful, distressed, and despairing. They are likely to feel unloved, worthless, and unwanted, or only valued in meeting another’s needs. |
|
|
Term
| Those who are victims of psychological abuse and neglect often: |
|
Definition
Avoid eye contact and experience deep loneliness, anxiety, and/or despair
Have a flat and superficial way of relating, with little empathy toward others
Have a lowered capacity to engage appropriately with others
Engage in bullying, disruptive, or aggressive behaviors toward others.
Engage in self-harming and/or self-destructive behaviors (i.e., cutting, physical aggression, reckless behavior showing a disregard for self and safety, drug taking) |
|
|
Term
| Indicators and Dynamics of Physical Abuse and Neglect |
|
Definition
Physical abuse is defined as nonaccidental trauma or physical injury caused by punching, beating, kicking, biting, or burning. It is the most visible form of abuse because there are usually physical signs.
With a child, physical abuse can result from inappropriate or excessive physical discipline. |
|
|
Term
| Indicators of physical abuse include: |
|
Definition
Unexplained bruises or welts on the face, lips, mouth, torso, back, buttocks, or thighs, sometimes reflecting the shape of the article used to inflict them (electric cord, belt buckle, etc.)
Unexplained burns from a cigar or cigarette, especially on soles, palms, back, or buttocks—sometimes patterned like an electric burner, iron, or similar
Unexplained fractures to the skull, nose, or facial structure
Unexplained lacerations or abrasions to the mouth, lips, gums, eyes, and/or external genitalia |
|
|
Term
| Behavioral indicators of physical abuse include: |
|
Definition
| being wary of individuals (parent or caretaker if a child is being abused) and behavioral extremes (aggressiveness or withdrawal), as well as fear related to reporting injury. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
treating someone badly in order to benefit from his or her resources or work. It is when someone uses a situation to gain unfair advantage for himself or herself. Exploitation is more common when there is a power differential between parties due to social status, abilities, income, education, job position, and so on.
Social workers have ethical mandates not to exploit clients, supervisees, students, and others who they come in contact with in their work. |
|
|
Term
| macro implications: relationship between discrimination and exploitation of individual |
|
Definition
| On a macro level, it is also important to see the relationship between discrimination and exploitation of individuals. When individuals are not provided the same access to social rewards, they are inherently exploited. |
|
|
Term
| Most social problems are aggravated by the status of particular groups in the society, including that: |
|
Definition
There is a greater prevalence of poverty among people of color and female household heads.
Poverty decreases the opportunities for employment, education, goods, and so on.
Poverty creates greater stresses that lead to physical and mental illnesses, family breakdown, inability to work, and other problems.
Discrimination creates deficits in social power. |
|
|
Term
| Risk factors: Perpetrators Of Abuse, Neglect, And Exploitation |
|
Definition
1. History of owning weapons and using them against others
2. Criminal history; repetitive antisocial behavior
3. Drug and alcohol use (substance use is associated with the most violent crimes)
4. Psychiatric disorder with coexisting substance abuse
5. Certain psychiatric symptoms such as psychosis, intense suspiciousness, anger, and/or unhappiness
6. Personality disorders (borderline and antisocial personality disorders)
7. History of impulsivity; low frustration tolerance; recklessness; inability to tolerate criticism; entitlement
8. Angry affect without empathy for others—high anger scores associated with increased chance of violence
9. Environmental stressors: lower socioeconomic status or poverty; job termination |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| factors that cannot be changed by interventions such as past history of violent behavior or demographic information. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| factors that can be changed by interventions such as change in living situation, treatment of psychiatric symptoms, abstaining from drug and alcohol use, access to weapons, and so on. Each client presents with a unique set of risk factors that require an individualized plan. |
|
|
Term
Risk Factors for Perpetrators of Abuse, Neglect, & Exploitation
Stressors (define/list) |
|
Definition
| history of abuse; isolated with lack of social supports; low sense of self-competence and self-esteem; financial problems |
|
|
Term
Risk Factors for Perpetrators of Abuse, Neglect, & Exploitation
Poor skills (define/list) |
|
Definition
| rigid, authoritarian; low intelligence quotient (IQ); poor self-control; poor communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills |
|
|
Term
Risk Factors for Perpetrators of Abuse, Neglect, & Exploitation
Family issues (define/list) |
|
Definition
| marital discord, imbalanced relationship with marital partner (dominant or noninvolved); domestic violence; substance abuse |
|
|
Term
| Interventions to reduce dynamic risk factors include: |
|
Definition
Pharmacological interventions
Substance use treatment
Psychosocial interventions
Removal of weapons
Increased level of supervision |
|
|
