Seminar - Child Abuse Flashcards
What is Child abuse (WHO)?
All types of physical and/or emotional ill treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, negligence and commercial or other exploitation, which results in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity
How is Child Abuse Classified?
Into 4 main forms: Physical abuse Sexual Abuse Emotional Abuse Neglect Other forms: child labour, female genital mutilation and the Trokosi system
What is physical abuse?
Involves a caregiver inflicting non-accidental physical injury or engaging in actions that create a high risk of harm. This includes striking, biting and burning
In what instance is physical abuse inflicted at home?
It may be inflicted with the objective of punishing the child.
Which groups of children are the most vulnerable to physical abuse?
Infants and toddlers are the most vulnerable because *the developmental stages that they may go through.
*This age group is also at increased risk because they cannot report their abuse
What is sexual abuse?
Constitutes any action with a child that is done for the sexual gratification or the financial profit of the person committing the act.
Give some examples of sexual abuse
It includes
- sexual intercourse,
- exposure of the perpetrator’s genitals,
- showing sexually explicit material to a child, or
- to participate in the production of sexual material.
What is the DSM-V definition for emotional abuse?
Non-accidental verbal or symbolic acts by a child’s parent or caregiver that result, or have reasonable potential to result, in significant psychological harm to the child
Give some examples of emotional abuse.
Includes rejecting, isolating, terrorizing, verbally assaulting and over-pressuring a child.
What is unique about emotional abuse?
It is not as obvious as physical abuse due to the absence of physical injury. It is also largely unreported because it has been normalized in most Ghanaian societies.
What is unique about emotional abuse?
It is not as obvious as physical abuse due to the absence of physical injury. It is also largely unreported because it has been normalized in most Ghanaian societies.
What efforts are being made to help emotionally abused children?
Several advocacy groups are attempting to create severity stratification systems based on the legal constructs of harm and intent so that emotionally abused children are identified and managed.
What is physical neglect?
Failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter and protection from potential harm
What is childhood neglect?
Failure to provide for or meet a child’s basic physical, emotional, educational and medical needs
What is emotional neglect?
Failure to provide affection or love or other kinds of emotional support
What is educational neglect?
Failure to enroll a child in school, ensure attendance at school or provide home schooling
What is medical neglect?
Failure to ensure that a child receives appropriate care or needed treatment for injuries or physical or mental disorders
What is Female Genital Mutilation? And where is it prevalentt?
involves surgical removal of parts or all of the most sensitive female genital organs , usually the clitoris. most prevalent in the northern regions and some parts of the Volta and Oti Regions
What is Female Genital Mutilation? And where is it prevalent?
involves surgical removal of parts or all of the most sensitive female genital organs , usually the clitoris.
*Most prevalent in the northern regions and some parts of the Volta and Oti Regions
What are the underlying beliefs of FGM? What does it ensure
It is believed that by mutilating the female’s genital organ, her sexuality will be controlled; but above all it is to ensure a woman’s virginity before marriage and chastity thereafter
What are some complications of FGM?
haemorrhage, infection, acute pain and keloid formation
What is the Trokosi System?
A traditional system where virgins girls are sent into shrines as slaves to make amends for wrongs committed by a member of her family.
In which part of Ghana is the Trokosi system common?
In the Southern Volta Region of Ghana
What happens to the virgin girls sent to shrines as part of the Trokosi system?
They become the “wives of the gods” and are sexually exploited by the priests and shrine priests
