The Educator's Role In Reporting the Emotional Abuse of Children

Journal of Instructional Psychology, Sept, 2000 by Felicia F. Romeo

After the child has been identified and reported, they will have access to Child Protective Agency services such as psychological interventions and programs to aid them in repairing their damaged self-esteem and negative self-image. Through psychotherapy and counseling, each child will learn to build a trusting relationship with a caring adult, who is warm, empathetic and values the child. As a result, these children will begin to value and view themselves as "loveable" and "worthwhile."

They will also have an opportunity to heal their self-esteem by participating in various therapy programs, such as: play therapy, art therapy, dance therapy, and bibliotherapy. If it is necessary to remove children from the home, they will enter the Foster Care Program and will be placed in a foster home. Some parents feel guilty after they emotionally abuse their children, and they also may have a desire to change their behavior. These parents will be able to attend counseling sessions, anger management programs, and other programs to teach them how to have a positive and emotionally healthy relationship with their children

Summary

Emotional abuse can be even more serious than other forms of child abuse (physical, sexual, and neglect), as the emotional abuse damages and destroys the child's self-esteem and self-image. Educators who are well informed regarding the behavioral indicators of emotional child abuse serve a vital role as protectors of these children, by reporting their reasonable suspicions of this emotional abuse to the respective Child Abuse Hotline. When these emotionally abused children are in the Child Protective Services, they will begin to receive counseling and psychotherapeutic programs to help them to repair their damaged self-esteem and negative self-image. Unless emotionally abused children receive these psychological interventions, the consequences of the emotional abuse can have devastating and life-long consequences.

References

Associated Press, Sun-Sentinel, February 2, 1991, P. B-10.

Kempe, H. C. and Kempe, R. S.(1978). Child Abuse. Howard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Leman, K. (1993). Bringing Up Kids Without Tearing Them Down. Delacorte Press, New York.

Toufexes, A. (1998). Report Cards Can Hurt You. Time, 133(18), p. 75.

Wallach, L. B.,(1993). Helping Children Cope with Violence. Young Children, May 1993, pp. 4-11.

Wood, J. Emotional Abuse -- An In Depth Review, http://suite 101.com/article.cfm/ domestic_violence/23806.

Dr. Felicia F. Romeo, Clinical Psychologist, College of Education, Florida Atlantic University.

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Dr. Felicia F. Romeo, College of Education, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431-0991.