Consequences of Physical Abuse

Physical Abuse

If you know someone who has been physically abused, or have been yourself you may find this information useful.

Physical abuse is one of the most common forms of abuse and this is when children are hurt or injured and it is not an accident.
Physical abuse can range from minor incidents to severe beatings but they are all just as serious, as abuse can lead to physical injury and also leaves emotional scars.
Hitting, beating with objects, pulling hair, throwing and shaking are all examples of physical abuse and can cause pain, cuts, bruising and broken bones.

Who Physically abuses children?

Physical abuse usually happens by people in your own family, and it can happen in all kinds of families regardless of how much money they have, their religion or where they come from. It can happen in families with one or two parents at home, with uncles, aunts, or grandparents in the house or in foster families or residential units.

It is important for you to remember that,
abusing children is wrong and it is never your fault.

Adults are responsible for looking after and protecting children and young people, abusing a child physically is a choice made by the adult. When an adult abuses a child they are using their power over the child for their own selfish purpose. Children depend on adults for their physical and emotional security. Children need adults to care for them and love them. Nothing you have done wrong or can do, justifies or excuses the violence. While certain things may seem to trigger the abusers temper, no one deserves to be a victim of physical violence or abuse.

How someone who has been physically abused might feel

If you have been physically abused it may leave you with some intense feelings which you find hard to cope with. Some of these feelings could be:

· Feeling that you are no good.
· Finding it hard to concentrate.
· Feeling alone and isolated.
· Depressed
· Frightened
· Confused
· Ashamed
· Embarrassed
· Feeling like running away
· Feeling angry
· Worried about abusing others.

All these feelings are normal and many children do not tell anyone about what is happening, as there may be no adult they can trust enough to talk to. Sometimes the adult may threaten terrible things if the child tells such as that the child will die or be sent away from where they are living.

How Physical abuse can affect behaviour

· Not taking care of yourself properly.
· Not being able to trust others.
· Not being able to make friends.
· Poor concentration.
· Having nightmares.
· Difficulty sleeping.
· Blanking out the memory.
· Eating Problems
· Acting angry, loosing your temper or hurting other people.
· Using alcohol or drugs.
· Self-harming.

Getting Help with how you feel.

All people respond to traumatic events differently and this is the same for people who have been physically abused. Some people may have come to terms with very severe abuse fairly easily; others may find the abuse more difficult to come to terms with and may find the abuse has a more lasting effect. Neither of these responses is more correct or healthier than the other. We all deal with things differently.

Lots of people who have been abused need extra help to help them understand what has happened and sort out their feelings. Few people can do this on their own. Rarely are even close friendships enough help by themselves. It takes time to heal. And it is very brave to confront these painful and difficult experiences. Quite often counselling is the most effective way to overcome these effects.

Therapy with a Counsellor you feel comfortable with can help you to: -

· Create a safe place to explore the hurtful childhood experiences.
· Allow you not to be on your own and break the secrecy.
· Teach you to practice new coping skills.
· Create a place to explore who you are, develop a positive self-image and sense of yourself.
· Cope with feelings of hopelessness and anger when they surface.
· It takes time to heal from experiences that have been hidden for so long. Be patient with yourself and give yourself time to recover it will be worth it in the end.

If you are experiencing abuse from your Foster Carers, the Staff or other residents in a children’s home, or a family member who you are living with you should speak to someone who you can trust or contact one of the help lines for advice and support.

Where to get Help.

Click here for Advice and Support from VFCC

Child Line: 0800 88 44 44

Samaritans: 08457 90 90 90

Children’s Legal Centre: 01206 873820 (provides free legal advice and information for children and young people on any issue).

Youth Access: 020 877 29 900 (Youth Access can give details of local advice, information and counselling services)

Care Line- 020 8514 1177 (Confidential counselling for anyone on any issue)

Get Connected: 0800 096 0096 (For Young people who are thinking of running away, or who have run away. Helps young people work out what they need most when they phone, and puts them in touch with places that can help.)

NSPCC- 0800 800 500