Emotional abuse of elders

Elder Abuse | National Institute on Aging

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Gerald's story

Gerald, 73, had a stroke, which left him unable to care for himself. His son offered to help, and Gerald moved in with him and his family. But Gerald's son and daughter-in-law worked all day and were busy with their kids in the evenings. Gerald hated being a burden on them and tried to take care of himself.

One day, Gerald's friend Carmen came to visit. She was surprised to see food stains on his clothes and sores on his heels. His room smelled like urine, too. Gerald seemed depressed and withdrawn — not at all like the jolly, witty friend she'd known for years. Carmen worried that Gerald's family was neglecting him.

Abuse can happen to anyone — no matter the person's age, sex, race, religion, or ethnic or cultural background. Each year, hundreds of thousands of adults over the age of 60 are abused, neglected, or financially exploited. This is called elder abuse.

Abuse can happen in many places, including the older person's home, a family member's house, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. The mistreatment of older adults can be by family members, strangers, health care providers, caregivers, or friends.

Types of abuse

There are many types of abuse:

Physical abuse happens when someone causes bodily harm by hitting, pushing, or slapping. This may also include restraining an older adult against his/her will, such as locking them in a room or tying them to furniture.
Emotional abuse, sometimes called psychological abuse, can include a caregiver saying hurtful words, yelling, threatening, or repeatedly ignoring the older adult. Keeping that person from seeing close friends and relatives is another form of emotional abuse.
Neglect occurs when the caregiver does not try to respond to the older adult's needs. This may include physical, emotional, and social needs, or withholding food, medications, or access to health care.
Abandonment is leaving an older adult who needs help alone without planning for his or her care.
Sexual abuse involves a caregiver forcing an older adult to watch or be part of sexual acts.
Financial abuse happens when money or belongings are stolen from an older adult. It can include forging checks, taking someone else's retirement or Social Security benefits, or using a person's credit cards and bank accounts without their permission. It also includes changing names on a will, bank account, life insurance policy, or title to a house without permission.

Who is being abused?

Most victims of abuse are women, but some are men. Likely targets are older adults who have no family or friends nearby and people with disabilities, memory problems, or dementia.

Abuse can happen to any older adult, but often affects those who depend on others for help with activities of everyday life — including bathing, dressing, and taking medicine. People who are frail may appear to be easy victims.

Money matters

Jasper's story

After his mother died, Victor started looking after his 80-year-old grandfather, Jasper. Because of his failing eyesight, Jasper could no longer drive to the bank. So, Jasper permitted Victor to withdraw money from the bank every month to pay bills. Lately, it seems the bank balance is lower than it should be. Jasper wonders if Victor is keeping some cash for himself.

Financial abuse is becoming a widespread and hard-to-detect issue. Even someone you've never met can steal your financial information using the telephone, internet, or email. Be careful about sharing any financial information over the phone or online — you don't know who will use it.

In addition to the theft of an older person’s money or belongings, financial abuse also includes:

Financial neglect occurs when an older adult’s financial responsibilities such as paying rent or mortgage, medical expenses or insurance, utility bills, or property taxes, are ignored, and the person’s bills are not paid.

Financial exploitation is the misuse, mismanagement, or exploitation of property, belongings, or assets. This includes using an older adult’s assets without consent, under false pretense, or through intimidation and/or manipulation.

Health care fraud can be committed by doctors, hospital staff, or other health care workers. It includes overcharging, billing twice for the same service, falsifying Medicaid or Medicare claims, or charging for care that wasn't provided. Older adults and caregivers should keep an eye out for this type of fraud.

You may see signs of abuse or neglect when you visit an older adult at home or in an eldercare facility. You may notice the person:

Stops taking part in activities he or she enjoys
Looks messy, with unwashed hair or dirty clothes
Has trouble sleeping Share this infographic and help spread the word about recognizing the signs of elder abuse.
Loses weight for no reason
Becomes withdrawn or acts agitated or violent
Displays signs of trauma, like rocking back and forth
Has unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or scars
Has broken eyeglasses/frames, or physical signs of punishment or being restrained

Develops bed sores or other preventable conditions
Lacks medical aids (glasses, walker, dentures, hearing aid, medications)
Has an eviction notice for unpaid rent, notice of late mortgage, or home eviction
Has hazardous, unsafe, or unclean living conditions
Displays signs of insufficient care or unpaid bills despite adequate financial resources

If you see signs of abuse, try talking with the older adult to find out what's going on. For instance, the abuse may be from another resident and not from someone who works at the nursing home or assisted living facility. Most importantly, get help or report what you see to adult protective services. You do not need to prove that abuse is occurring. Professionals will investigate.

Who can help?

Elder abuse will not stop on its own. Someone else needs to step in and help. Many older adults are too ashamed to report mistreatment. Or, they're afraid if they make a report it will get back to the abuser and make the situation worse.

If you think someone you know is being abused — physically, emotionally, or financially — talk with him or her when the two of you are alone. You could say you think something is wrong and you're worried. Offer to take him or her to get help, for instance, at a local adult protective services agency.

Many local, state, and national social service agencies can help with emotional, legal, and financial abuse.

The Administration for Community Living has a National Center on Elder Abuse where you can learn about how to report abuse, where to get help, and state laws that deal with abuse and neglect. Go to https://ncea.acl.gov for more information. Or, call the Eldercare Locator weekdays at 800-677-1116.

Most states require that doctors and lawyers report elder mistreatment. Family and friends can also report it. Do not wait. Help is available.

If you think someone is in urgent danger, call 911 or your local police to get help right away.

Caregiver stress — You're not alone

Caring for an older adult can be rewarding. It can also be demanding, difficult, and often stressful. Caregivers may need to be available around the clock to fix meals, provide nursing care, take care of laundry and cleaning, drive to doctors' appointments, and pay bills. Often, family caregivers have to give up paying jobs to make time for these new responsibilities.

It may be hard to keep a positive outlook when there's little hope of the older adult's physical and mental condition improving. Over time, the demands and stress of caregiving can take their toll. A caregiver might not even know he or she is being neglectful or abusive.

If you are a caregiver, make sure you have time to rest and take care of your needs. Ask a family member or friend to help for a weekend, or even for a few hours. Having time to take care of yourself will help you remain healthy and have patience and energy for caregiving. Churches, synagogues, and other faith-based organizations in your community may have volunteers who can visit and help on a regular basis. Respite care provides a break for caregivers. It can be arranged for just an afternoon or for several days or weeks. Visit the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center's National Respite Locator to find respite services in your area. Caregiving support groups may also help. Exercise can help with caregiving stress and emotional well-being.

What is the long-term effect of abuse?

Most physical wounds heal in time. But elder abuse can lead to early death, harm to physical and psychological health, destroy social and family ties, cause devastating financial loss, and more.

Any type of mistreatment can leave the abused person feeling fearful and depressed. Sometimes, the victim thinks the abuse is his or her fault. Adult protective service agencies can suggest support groups and counseling that can help the abused person heal the emotional wounds.

For more information about elder abuse and where to get help

Eldercare Locator
800-677-1116
[email protected]
https://eldercare.acl.gov

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Office for Older Americans
855-411-2372
[email protected]
www.consumerfinance.gov/practitioner-resources/resources-for-older-adults

National Adult Protective Services Association
202-370-6292
www.napsa-now.org

National Center on Elder Abuse
855-500-3537
[email protected]
https://ncea.acl.gov

National Domestic Violence Hotline
800-799-7233 (24/7)
800-787-3224 (TTY)
www. thehotline.org/get-help

National Elder Fraud Hotline
833-FRAUD-11 for 833-372-8311
https://stopelderfraud.ovc.ojp.gov

U.S. Department of Justice
202-514-2000
800-877-8339 (TTY)
[email protected]
www.justice.gov/elderjustice
www.justice.gov/elderjustice/roadmap

This content is provided by the NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA). NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up to date.

Content reviewed: July 29, 2020

Emotional Elder Abuse | Causes, Signs, and Next Steps

What Is Emotional Elder Abuse?

Unlike the other forms of elder abuse and neglect, such as physical or sexual abuse, emotional elder abuse is somewhat more difficult to define, and certainly more difficult to prove.

The generally accepted definition of emotional elder abuse is, “intentional infliction of anguish, pain, or distress through verbal or nonverbal acts. ” This includes threatening, harassing, intimidating, and attempting to humiliate an elderly individual.

Examples of emotional elder abuse include:

Degrading statements
Humiliating language
Intentionally causing long waits for food, medication, or basic care
Interfering with decision making
Making false accusations
Verbal aggression
Placing an elder’s assistive devices out of reach (walker, cane, glasses, or dentures)
Scolding elderly individuals
Threats of social isolation

In short, emotional elder abuse involves controlling the elderly person’s freedom to intentionally cause feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, and emotional pain. This type of abuse can have a severe negative impact on the mental health and overall well-being of elders.

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Types of Emotional Elder Abuse

Generally speaking, there are two types of emotional elder abuse: verbal and non-verbal emotional abuse. Non-verbal emotional elder abuse can be particularly difficult to prove, however, both types can cause the victim severe emotional pain and suffering.

Examples of Verbal Emotional Elder Abuse

Being mean or extremely cold
Blaming the elderly person, especially for things beyond their control
Causing guilt or shame
Embarrassing the individual, especially when others are around
Insulting, ridiculing, or name-calling
Intimidating
Talking to the nursing home resident as if they were a child
Threatening to harm the elderly individual
Yelling, screaming, or swearing

Examples of Non-Verbal Emotional Elder Abuse

Hiding personal belongings
Giving the silent treatment
Ignoring the individual
Isolating an elderly individual from other residents
Limiting access to basic necessities, such as food, water, or the restroom
Restricting a person from socializing
Terrorizing when no one is around

In addition to being either verbal or non-verbal, emotional elder abuse can be intentional or unintentional. This depends on whether the abuser wants to hurt the victim, or if they are overly stressed from caregiving and lash out against their own will.

Indicators of Emotional Abuse in Elderly

Emotional elder abuse is often not apparent, even to the victims themselves. It is therefore very important to know the indicators of emotional abuse in the elderly.

Some indicators that emotional elder abuse may be occurring include:

Agitation
Avoidance of eye contact with a specific caregiver
Confusion that is unrelated to any health problems
Cowering when the abuser is around
Fear
Increasing depression
Nervousness
Passivity
Reluctance to talk openly
Sadness
Self-neglect
Sudden changes in sleeping or eating patterns
Withdrawal

These indicators serve only as a guide for suspecting cases of emotional elder abuse. It is important to note that the presence of one or more of these behaviors is not definitive proof but rather should trigger further investigation.

Sadly, if emotional elder abuse is occurring, it may also mean that other types of abuse are occurring. This makes it imperative to take all warning signs seriously to keep vulnerable individuals free from harm and distress.

Diagnosing Nursing Home Emotional Abuse

Because many residents in care facilities have cognitive, neurologic, or psychiatric conditions, diagnosing nursing home emotional abuse can be tricky.

Factors such as fear of retaliation make it common for nursing home and assisted living residents to keep emotional abuse to themselves. Abuse victims also tend to be so dependent on others for care, they do not want to upset their abusers more, thereby putting themselves at increased risk of neglect.

The most effective way to diagnose nursing home emotional abuse is for family members to ask neutral questions. Adult children are often able to identify if elder mistreatment is occurring with their parents.

Nursing home residents should be interviewed alone, and physicians should encourage their patients to provide detailed information.

A red flag to take careful note of is any caregiver who interrupts the resident to answer questions for them. Hovering caregivers are also people to monitor more carefully than others.

How to Report Emotional Elder Abuse

Reporting emotional elder abuse is of the utmost importance. Chronic abuse will not stop on its own. It may also mean that other, more dangerous forms of abuse are occurring. These troubling factors make it necessary for others to intervene promptly.

If you think someone is in immediate danger, call 911 to get help right away.

If you suspect your loved one is being emotionally abused, talk with them when you’re alone. Offer to get them outside help, such as by contacting Adult Protective Services (APS) for them. You may also call the Eldercare Locator hotline at 1-800-677-1116 to get help with properly reporting emotional elder abuse.

Most states require that doctors report elder abuse. However, family and friends can also report it. Help is available, please do not wait.

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Treating Cases of Elder Emotional Abuse

Victims of elder emotional abuse may be placed in adult day care or have other special services provided to ensure their safety. Additional ways to treat elder emotional abuse include counseling and medication.

Elder emotional abuse may cause the victim to feel depressed, scared, or extremely anxious. Talking through their feelings with a counselor may offer some relief.

If counseling alone does not help, the elderly individual’s health care provider may also prescribe medication for relaxation or help with sleeping.

Statistics About Emotional Elder Abuse

Emotional elder abuse is the most common form of elder abuse. Sadly, it is often considered a normal part of caregiver stress and is not properly reported and documented.

In a study by the National Institutes for Health (NIH), interviews with a group of over 200 nursing home staff members indicated that, “a total of 81% of the staff reported that they had observed and 40% had committed at least one incident of psychological abuse during the same 12-month period. ”

The NIH report also uncovered the following alarming statistics:

70% of staff said they observed other staff yelling at residents
50% of staff said they witnessed a fellow staff member insulting residents

The staff members who were interviewed reported that their fellow caregivers committed substantial levels of abusive behavior. The most common type of emotional elder abuse was yelling at a resident with swears or insults.

Other Types of Elder Abuse

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes five categories of elder abuse: physical, financial, sexual, psychological, and neglect.

“Regardless of the type of abuse, it will certainly result in unnecessary suffering, injury or pain, the loss or violation of human rights, and a decreased quality of life for the older person.”

– The World Health Organization

Physical Abuse

Physical elder abuse causes harm or impairment and generally includes hitting, slapping, pushing, or striking with objects. It may also include unnecessary physical or chemical restraints.

Financial Abuse

Financial elder abuse, also called financial exploitation, includes stealing money or belongings from an older adult. It can also include forgery, taking a person’s Social Security benefits, or accessing their credit cards and bank accounts without permission.

In some instances, elder financial abuse involves changing wills, life insurance policies, or names on titles.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual elder abuse is when a caregiver forces an older adult to watch or take part in sexual acts. This includes any non-consensual contact and unwanted sexual talk.

Nursing Home Neglect

Nursing home neglect is an all too common form of elder abuse and generally entails a caregiver failing to provide adequate food, water, medicine, clothing, shelter, or supervision. It is still a rampant problem that needs urgent attention but has gotten more publicity in recent years.

Filing a Nursing Home Emotional Abuse Lawsuit

Filing a nursing home emotional abuse lawsuit is best handled by experienced nursing home abuse lawyers. These lawyers, dedicated to issues arising in nursing homes, have the unique experience that is required to prove emotional abuse cases and secure compensation.

An experienced nursing home lawyer may also be able to recover punitive damages, which is money awarded to punish a defendant.

If an emotional abuse case is proven, punitive damages may set the example needed to prevent this type of abuse from happening to others.

If you think your loved one is a victim of emotional elder abuse, get a free legal case review today.

Chapter 4 Violence in Schools and Other Educational Institutions - Our Right to Be Protected from Violence

What types of violence exist in schools?

Physical abuse by teachers : Teachers may beat children and teenagers as punishment, for example for badly done assignments.
Abuse and humiliation by teachers : Teachers may yell at children or call them names.
Physical and psychological abuse by other students : Students may beat or bully a child.
School gang violence : In many schools, children and teenagers are part of gangs that are at odds with each other.
Sexual and gender-based violence : Girls may be verbally harassed, abused or even sexually abused at school or on their way out of school. Also, violence often occurs against young people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

For more information see the United Nations Study on Violence against Children.

Children in their own words

“My teacher teaches in Oriya, which I do not understand. When he asks me questions, I can't answer because I don't get what he's talking about. Every day he humiliates me for this and beats me with a rag to wipe the board.

Native girl, 9 years old, South Asia.

“I took a folder and wrote down the dates and times of the times I was harassed. I took this folder to the principal of the school. He said: “Son, you have too much free time if you manage to write in these folders. I have more important things to do than deal with what happened two weeks ago.” I told him, "I just wanted you to have an idea of what's going on every day, all the harassment and abuse." He took the folder and threw it in the trash."

Boy, North America.

"The teacher offends older girls, locks them in the toilet and tries to rape them, scaring them that if they do not agree, he will lower their grades."

Girls group, Latin America.

“In our school, bars are hung on the windows, video cameras are hung in the corridors, and the main entrance is equipped with a metal door. I feel like a prisoner and not at all protected. The teachers exaggerate too much."

11th grade student, Europe and Central Asia

“One day my father couldn't pick up my sister from school and she had to go home alone. On the way, four boys molested her, but she was unable to tell her father about it. She told me about everything, but even I can’t tell my father about what happened. ”

Child, South Asia.

Session 6: Agree - Disagree

What is this lesson for?

It involves everyone in the mental, speech and motor processes.
It helps the group learn to listen to each other and respect different ideas.

You will need:

Free space
Three signs that can be hung a few meters apart. One sign with the words "AGREE", another with the words "DO NOT AGREE" and a third with the words "DO NOT SURE"
Time: 45 minutes

What to do:

Explain that you will read a statement about violence in schools. Each participant must decide what he thinks about this statement. Agree, disagree or not sure? Participants should stand near the sign reflecting their opinion.
Read the first statement (use the statements in the box or make up statements that work with this group). Give participants time to think about where to place.
Invite several members of each group to explain their views. The rest have the right to take another place if they hear something that forces them to change their mind.
Read the second statement; repeat point 3.
Read the third statement; repeat point 3.
Ask the following questions to the group:
- How did you feel about this activity?
- What have you learned during this time?
- If you changed your point of view, what influenced it?

Next steps:

If you were talking to someone who doesn't think school violence is a problem, what would you say to get them to change their mind? Act out this situation. See also ideas for role-playing games.
Suggest that the group read the UN Study on Child Abuse to learn more about violence in schools, or quote the main points from the introduction to this chapter. Use quotes to discuss different types of school violence.
Seek the opinion of the Commission on Civil Rights regarding school violence.

Use these statements or make up your own.

Physical punishment (slaps, slaps) may be used if they help children learn.

Verbal punishment (scoldling, humiliation) do not offend children as much as physical punishment.

Children who are teased need to learn to protect themselves.

Activity 7: Mapping

What is this activity for?

It helps teenagers start talking about life situations.
Everyone gets the opportunity to take part in drawing.

You will need:

Large sheets of paper (one per group)
Markers, crayons or pencils
Card hanging tape
Time: 45-60 minutes

What to do:

Divide participants into groups of four. Invite each group to draw a map of their school, youth center, or other places where they are learning. They may also want to draw the school yard or the streets around the school.
Have them mark on their maps where the violence occurs and briefly describe the type of violence they are referring to.
Group leader comment: some young people may talk about the violence they are experiencing at the moment. See Chapter 1, Part C for information on how to deal with such cases.
Hang the maps on the wall for groups to come and look at. You can group children by gender or age (if the group includes representatives of different ages).
Discuss in groups:
- How are the cards similar? What is the difference?
- Do boys and girls identify the same or different places and types of violence?
- Do teenagers of different ages identify the same or different places and types of violence?
Write down the results of the work on a large sheet of paper: indicate the main types of violence, the places where it occurs, and ways to prevent it.

Next steps:

Role-play ways to deal with these types of violence; (ideas for role play)
Show the cards to an authority figure (teacher, headmaster, or community leader). Do it in a way that does not put yourself or other teens in danger. Advise on how cards can be used to make a difference, for example, should an adult be in an unsafe place? Can toilets be made safer?
Research your country's laws regarding school violence. Are there such laws? Are they being followed? If not, discuss what action can be taken in this regard.

Activity 8: Learn the truth about bullying.

What is this class for?

To raise awareness on this issue.
To develop ideas for action.

You will need:

Questionnaires
Pencils
Time: undefined.

What to do:

Organizations around the world collect information about child abuse for research on child abuse. Teenagers may also collect information. One way to collect information is through the use of a questionnaire.
Discuss in small groups the problem of school violence on which you can collect information. Before making a decision, ask:
- Do you need to get permission for this activity from someone (principal or youth centre)?
- Can you gather this information without endangering yourself?
- Can you collect this information without endangering others?
- How do you explain to others why you are doing this?
- How will you disseminate the findings?
Have each group present their ideas; vote for one idea that everyone will work on.
Design a questionnaire to collect information. An example of a questionnaire (on the topic of bullying) is provided on the next page. Decide when is the best time to collect information (for example, during your lunch break during the week).
Gather information. It is convenient to work in pairs when one person asks questions and the other writes down the answers.
Meet with other couples to share what you have learned (for example, types of bullying that occur most frequently). Groups of older participants can calculate the percentages and make charts or tables to show the results.

Next steps:

Share your information with others—students, parents, community members, youth organizations, or religious leaders. Engage them in working together to develop plans to end the violence. For example, it might be possible to ensure that an adult is present in the school yard if bullying occurs, or to determine how incidents of bullying are reported to school authorities.

Sample questionnaire on school bullying

Individually ask the person if he/she would like to answer a few questions about bullying. Explain why you are asking these questions and state that you will not reveal his/her name when submitting the results. If he/she agrees, move to a private place, explain what bullying is, and ask each of the following questions one by one.

Bullying is an action taken by one teenager or a group of teenagers towards another teenager in order to threaten, humiliate or harm that teenager. Bullying can be physical, verbal (using words), or sexual. Bullying can include email, instant messaging, and websites. Isolation (rejection of a person into a group) can also be considered a form of bullying.

Have you ever been bullied at school?

How often does this happen to you?

Less than once a month

About once a month

About once a week

More than once a week

What type of bullying have you experienced?

Physical

Verbal

Insulations

Sexy

Using the Internet

Other (explain).

What do you think could help stop bullying?

Change the situation.

Take action to end violence against children in schools and other educational institutions.

Young people around the world are taking action to combat violence against children in schools and other educational settings - you can do it too. Below are some resources that may help you. You don't have to use all of these materials, choose the ones that suit your age group and their interests.

The “Planning for Action” questions in Chapter 1 will help you prepare your project.
The boxed box “Ideas for Action: Child Abuse in Schools and Educational Institutions” below describes ways to involve new actors in this work. See chapter 8 for more ideas.
The short stories in the “Acting Around the World” section on the next page highlight what other young people have already done.
The short stories are followed by a longer story entitled “Violence against children in schools: taking action in. Salvador". This story can be used by young people who want to take a closer look at the project implementation process.

Give participants enough time to plan activities. This may take longer than other activities in this book. It is better to spend more time planning, for example, several days or weeks. This will allow you to think about potential problems and find ways to solve them.

Ideas for action: child abuse in schools and educational institutions

Form a group of student volunteers to walk home those who have been bullied or to be with them during lunch.

Work with the school to develop a way to report incidents of violence, such as using a mailbox.

Find a representative of a children's organization to talk to teachers and parents about ways to discipline without violence.

Invite the organization to teach teachers and teenagers about non-violent methods of conflict resolution.

Talk to elected officials about the need for laws to stop physical punishment in schools.

Organize a school or community debate on the issue of physical punishment.

Work with a child welfare organization to establish a hotline where students can report abuse and get help with the problem.

Ask teachers if they can talk about researching violence and violence against children in civics and law lessons, for example.

Taking action around the world: child abuse in schools and educational institutions

Below are some examples of anti-violence measures taken by children in schools and educational institutions around the world.

El Salvador: In the city of San Salvador, youth gangs were involved in street fights, rapes, murders and bombings on school grounds. Scouts of El Salvador conducted a study to identify the reasons that lead young people to join gangs; one of these reasons was the need for self-determination and self-affirmation. They set up a camp for two schools with opposing gangs. In the camp, the students of the two schools got to know each other. They worked in small groups doing activities that allowed them to be creative, find non-confrontational ways to communicate, get to know each other, and learn to respect their inherent differences. After their stay at the camp, the gang members began to organize social events and carry out community service projects involving both schools. Since the beginning of the camps, the number of students who resort to violence has decreased by 80%. (More >>).
India: In meetings with international and local organizations, children in the Indian state of Orissa identified physical and humiliating punishment as the most common form of child abuse. They made adults aware of this through theater plays, letters, and seminars. They also created a film that was presented to members of the community. In August 2004, the Chief Minister of Orissa issued an executive order banning corporal punishment in the state's schools.
Peru: School boards in Peru give children a say in many issues related to children's rights. They are working to stop the use of physical and psychological punishment, as well as other types of violence against children. School boards hold seminars for parents on the issue of children's rights, including the issue of physical punishment. When cases of violence against children are identified, they are reported to the Municipal Department for Children's Rights.
Uganda: The African Organization for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect and Child Protection in Uganda works to end the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. Within the framework of the organization, children-led support groups operate on the observance of the rights of both schoolchildren and out-of-school children. As a result of their activities, there is an increase in the number of reports of cases of child abuse and better contacts with adult activists, including members of local councils.

If you know of cases where young people in your country have taken action to combat violence against children in schools and educational institutions, please share this information with the group.

Violence against children in schools: taking action in El Salvador.

In 2001, in San Salvador and its surrounding cities in the Republic of El Salvador, youth gang activity led to an increase in street fights, rapes and murders. The public was literally shocked when bombs began to explode on the playgrounds of schools. School leaders tried to punish the perpetrators, but their actions were unsuccessful.

Young members of the Scout Association in El Salvador conducted a study to find out the reasons why young people join gangs. What are they looking for? Scouts were asked why they joined the scouting movement. The answers turned out to be very similar, in particular, among the reasons they named the need for self-determination and self-affirmation. It was decided that the scouting organization could help teenagers who become gang members.

They invited schoolchildren between the ages of 15 and 20 who attended two schools with opposing gangs to the summer camp. Teenagers were given the opportunity to leave home, have fun, experience a real adventure for free. Most of them had never left the city before.

At the camp, students from two schools got to know each other. They worked in small groups called "solidarity brigades", which included young men trained to work with gang members. "Solidarity Brigades" organized various events that helped the children to show their creative abilities, find non-conflict ways of communication, as well as get to know each other and learn to respect the differences between them.

At first, many gang members were suspicious. However, their opinion began to change when those who had been in the first camp returned to school. Enthusiasm showed itself more and more; they organized various events, established dialogue between schools, and carried out community service projects.

Since then, the camps have grown in number, resulting in over 10,000 participants, including 500 teachers who have learned how to teach tolerance and non-violence. According to a study conducted by the National Civil Police, since 2001, the number of students who resort to violence has decreased by 80%.

Source: World Organization of the Scout Movement.

Reflect on the following

Do young people join gangs in your community? If yes, why? Why were the gang members initially distrustful of the camps? What has helped to overcome mistrust?

Psychological abuse of a child | State Institution "Lyakhovichi Territorial Center for Social Services to the Population"

People express negative emotions in relation to other persons in different ways. Someone simply speaks badly about some person behind his back, and someone chooses a harsher and more unpleasant method of influence - psychological violence. Statistics show that the victim most often is not an adult, but a child. Minors are subjected to psychological violence in schools, on the street, at home. This is a very serious problem, because because of it, children's emotional behavior and development are disturbed. They have fears.

What is psychological abuse?

Psychological violence is also called emotional. This term refers to the periodic or constant insult of the child with some unpleasant words, the humiliation of his human dignity, the utterance of threats. Often, parents have formed the desired image of children. To achieve it, mothers and fathers present their children with such requirements that they are not able to fulfill due to age opportunities. This also applies to psychological abuse.

Negative attitude towards a child has very serious consequences. He ceases to be happy. He begins to suffer from his own feelings. The child withdraws into himself, loses confidence in the people around him. In the future, all this leads to problems in building relationships. Another negative consequence is low self-esteem. For example, peers at school may call a child scary, stupid. With such thoughts about himself, he grows in the future.

Problem classification into forms

What can be considered psychological abuse of a child? Experts identify several forms of this problem. Here are the main ones:

Degradation. With this form, children or adults influence a particular child with rude words, curses, name-calling, ridicule in front of other people.
Ignore. This form of violence is most often observed on the part of adults - parents. They do not pay attention to their child, they are not interested in his successes and achievements. He does not feel affection, care, love. Naturally, such an attitude depresses the child.
Repulsion. This feature of behavior is manifested by the fact that parents push their child away, constantly drive him away, that is, they make it clear that they do not need him.
Terrorization. In this form of abuse, the child is constantly threatened by something. They threaten him, make demands that are impossible at this age stage.

In various books on education, articles on psychological abuse of children, special attention is paid to isolation. This is another form of the problem. Its essence lies in various prohibitions (for example, you can’t communicate with peers, go for a walk with them). Sometimes, during isolation, parents resort to additional physical violence - they lock the child alone in an apartment, room, and sometimes even in a closet, beat him if he violates the prohibitions.

Signs of psychological abuse

When a child becomes a victim of psychological abuse, this can be guessed from some behavioral patterns. The following signs are observed:

the child develops anxiety, excessive anxiety;

appetite is disturbed;

feeling depressed;

self-esteem decreases;

minor avoids peers, adults,

seeks to retire; sometimes, due to psychological abuse, a child develops such a character trait as aggressiveness;

sleep is disturbed due to negative emotions;

the child begins to pay less attention to studies, gets bad grades at school;

constant threats, insults, bullying by peers or adults lead to suicide attempts.

Already in childhood, psychological abuse causes health problems. Physical and mental development is delayed, enuresis, nervous tics, and obesity occur. Emotional abuse affects the brain. This ultimately causes a predisposition to various diseases:

to coronary heart disease;

chronic fatigue syndrome;

oncological diseases, etc.

Domestic violence and advice to parents

Psychological violence in the family against a child occurs for various reasons.

First, parents may simply not love their child. It's terrifying. This reason simply does not fit in the head. How can you not love your own child, because he is the future of parents. Abusive moms and dads need to be talked to. Relatives also need help. If the parents do not come to their senses, then it is best for the child to live, for example, with his grandmother.

Another common reason is demands on the child. It is important to remember that you cannot force another person to do something. Requirements that are impossible to fulfill or that the child does not like can suppress the will and cause a depressed state.

Commandments of wise parents

There are 4 commandments of wise parents. They can help avoid psychological abuse of a child, because mothers and fathers do not always realize that their upbringing is wrong and leads to negative consequences.

First of all, never try to make the best out of your child. Not all people are the same. Each person is endowed with certain abilities and capabilities.

Secondly, do not compare your child with other children, do not reproach him for not achieving something, like some of his classmates.

Thirdly, do not threaten the child, do not blackmail him. Otherwise, you will cause him only fear, shame. Your child may think that you just do not love him.

Fourthly, do not sort things out with a child in front of witnesses, even if he has done something. It is better to discuss the problem at home, find out the reason. When misbehaving, shame the child, but remember that there should be a measure in everything.

A problem at school Absolutely any child can become a victim of school bullying. The likelihood of this is greatly increased if he is calm, not too active and sociable. His offenders can be class leaders, aggressive children who have found a victim for self-affirmation or who always strive to be in the spotlight.

A child will always tell about psychological abuse if he trusts his parents. With a secretive nature, lack of trust in the family, the opposite situation is observed. The child does not share his experiences and problems with anyone. It is possible to guess that he became a victim of psychological violence at school. The presence of this problem is indicated by the following nuances:

the child does not want to go to school;

he doesn't talk about his classmates;

his things are sometimes torn or soiled;

The child returns home after school in a depressed state.

What to do if a child is abused during school

Psychological abuse of children at school is a problem that should be solved by parents together with the class teacher. The teacher, as a rule, is aware of everything that happens in the classroom. You can also talk to the mothers and fathers of the offenders. If a minor has been a victim of abuse for a long time, then the best way out is to change schools or temporarily transfer to home schooling.

If a child does not want to transfer to another school, then parents should give him some advice on how to deal with ridicule, insults:

who does this;

an effective way to deal with offenders is to show them that their unpleasant words do not hurt or upset at all;

in response to the insults of the offenders, you can simply laugh (if you demonstrate such behavior every time, then after a while your peers will simply not be interested in “poisoning” their victim).

Liability for child abuse in the Republic of Belarus

The legislation of the Republic of Belarus establishes several types of liability for persons who abuse a child.

Administrative responsibility. The Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus provides for liability for failure to perform or improper performance of duties for the maintenance, upbringing, education, protection of the rights and interests of minors - in the form of a warning or the imposition of an administrative fine.

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