MODULE 2&3

• Victim characteristics

  • Low self-esteem, dependent on abuser, difficulty maintaining relationships
• Women Abuse refers to physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, economic, and spiritual harm against a woman by her spouse, live-in partner, or common law husband
• Neglect can manifest as physical neglect, developmental neglect, and educational neglect
• Cycle of Violence

  1. Tension Building

  2. Acute Battering

  3. Honeymoon Stage
• Abuse is defined as the willful infliction of physical injury, mental anguish, or both
• Child Abuse is the intentional injury of a child and can result from various forms of mistreatment
• Spouse battering or partner abuse is most commonly directed towards the wife (female)
• Types of Abuse

  • Physical
  • Emotional
  • Sexual
  • Economic
  • Spiritual or religious
• Characteristics of Violent Families

  • Social Isolation
  • Abuse of power and control
  • Alcohol and drug abuse
  • Intergenerational transmission process
• Abuser characteristics


  • Strong feelings of inadequacy & low self-esteem, poor problem solving and social skills, emotionally immature, needy, irrationally jealous, possessive
• Domestic Abuse is done at home and often involves a vulnerable group as a common factor
• Violence is defined as physical force exerted for the purpose of violating or damaging another person
• Measures for Abused Woman

  1. Acceptance, warmth, non-judgmental attitude

  2. Reinforce importance of safety and right to be free of abuse

  3. Discuss available options (shelters, legal protection) by reporting abuse or seeking court orders

  4. Respect victim's decisions

  5. Help victim develop a plan to ensure safety
• Characteristics of an Abused Child include various forms of mistreatment such as physical abuse, neglect, failure to provide adequate care, abandonment, and sexual assault
• LEVELS OF ANXIETY

  • Mild Anxiety - Sensation that something is different and warrants special attention
  • Sensory stimulation increases and helps focus attention to learn, solve problems, think, act, feel, and protect self
  • Motivates to make cha
• Characteristics of an Abused Child

  • Cigarette burns
  • Scalding or burns
  • Internal injuries
  • Dirt, fleas, and lice on child
  • Developmental delays
  • Bruises, welts
  • Fractures, sprains
  • Injuries in various stages of healing
• Causes of Anxiety

  • Psychoanalytic Theory - Conflict of ID and Superego
  • Interpersonal Theory - Fear of interpersonal rejection
  • Behavioral Theory - Product of frustration
  • Learning Theory - Exposure to early life fearful experiences causes anxiety
• ELDER ABUSE - Maltreatment of older adults by family members or caregivers
• Often results from unreasonably severe corporal punishment or unjustifiable punishment
• Behavioral & Psychological Characteristics of Elder Abuse

  • Possible physical or mental impairment
  • Aggressive or submissive behavior
  • Fearful of reporting abuse
  • Dependency on caregiver
  • Feelings of low self-esteem
  • Hopelessness
• ANXIETY - A vague feeling of dread or apprehension
• TREATMENT & INTERVENTION

  1. Provide first aid or medical treatment as needed

  2. If violence or abuse is imminent, separate victim from the perpetrators

  3. Provide reports to state protective services

  4. Ensure sensitive, compassionate care of the victim

  5. Support victim for not tolerating abuse

  6. Listen empathetically to victim’s discussion of current & part of abuse

  7. Thoroughly document all injuries & treatment provided

  8. Collaborate with health care team
• Behavioral & Psychological Characteristics of Sexual Abuse


  • Unusual interest in, or avoidance, of sexual nature
  • Sleep problems, nightmares
  • Seductiveness
  • Statements of damaged or dirty body, fear there is something wrong in genital area
  • Aspects of sexual molestations in drawings, games, or fantasies
• Child Abuse Measures

  1. Ensure child’s safety & well-being – Primary part of treatment

  2. Ensure child’s comfort; use appropriate introductions & avoid touching child without permission

  3. Play activities, including drawing, to encourage disclosure

  4. Explain all medical tests & procedures in terms a child can understand

  5. Encourage child’s relationship with parents
• BUSE - Intentional injury of a child
• MEASURES FOR ABUSER

  1. If perpetrator is threatening or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, call security or the police to ensure safety of family and staff

  2. Inform abuser of your duty to report the abuse to the appropriate agency

  3. Enlist aid of experienced health team personnel

  4. Encourage perpetrator to accept responsibility for violent behaviors if he has acknowledged the abuse

  5. Encourage & refer the abuser to community resources
• Forms of child abuse

  • Physical abuse
  • Neglect
  • Failure to provide adequate physical or emotional care
  • Abandonment
  • Sexual assault
• Behavioral & Psychological Characteristics of Child Abuse

  • Fearful to caregiver
  • May not cry when approached by an examiner or during painful procedure
  • Behavioral extremes
  • Poor academic performance
  • Self-injurious behavior
  • Runs away, abuses drugs or alcohol
  • Lack of peer relationships
• Physical Signs of Elder Abuse

  • Malnourishment or dehydration
  • Fecal or urine smell on person
  • Dirt, fleas, lice
  • Pressure ulcers, sores, rashes
  • Bruises, abrasions, fractures
  • Hematomas, grip marks
  • Multiple injuries on various healing stages
• Elderly Abuse Measures

  1. Be patient & allow client enough time to discuss the situation

  2. Respect client dignity & avoid being judgmental

  3. Discuss options for ensuring the clients safety

  4. Provide a list of resources & support services
• Anxiety is a response to external or internal stimuli causing behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms
• 2 Primary Purposes of Anxiety

  • Alerts person to an actual or impending danger
  • Prepares person to take defensive action
• Mild Anxiety


  • Sensory stimulation increases and helps focus attention to learn, solve problems, think, act, feel, and protect self
  • Motivates to make changes or engage in goal-directed activities
  • Associated with tension of everyday life
  • Individual is alert; perceptual field increased
  • Can be motivating, produce growth & creativity, and increase learning
  • Normal and healthy amount of anxiety; allows one to have sharp focus and problem solving
• Levels of Anxiety
• Moderate Anxiety


  • Focuses on immediate concerns
  • Narrows perceptual field
  • Selective in attentiveness
  • Learning and problem-solving takes place
  • Thinking ability is impaired; sharp focus & problem-solving happen at a lower level
• For Severe-Panic Levels

  1. Reduce anxiety quickly

  2. Use a calm manner

  3. Remain with the client

  4. Minimize environmental stimuli

  5. Provide clear, simple statements

  6. Use a low-pitched voice

  7. Attend to physical needs of the client

  8. Provide gross motor activity

  9. Administer anti-anxiety medication as prescribed
• Severe Anxiety

  • Feeling that something bad is about to happen
  • Significant reduction in perceptual field occurs
  • Focuses on specific or scattered details
  • All behavior is geared toward relieving anxiety; usually ineffective
  • Cannot complete tasks, solve problems, or learn effectively
  • Individual needs direction to focus
  • Ritualistic behavior
  • Feeling of doom may be felt; focus & problem-solving not possible
• ANXIETY DISORDER
• Panic


  • Associated with dread and terror and sense of impending doom
  • Disorganization
  • Individual unable to communicate or function effectively
  • Increased motor activity occurs
  • Loss of rational thoughts, distorted perception
  • Inability to concentrate
  • If prolonged, panic may lead to exhaustion and death
  • Most extreme anxiety; unstable and not in touch with reality
• Anxiolytic Medications

  • Benzodiazepine – Most common: Diazepam, Alprazolam, & Clonazepam