CHILDHOOD TRAUMA
"A BROKEN CHILD GROWS INTO A BROKEN ADULT" - ANONYMOUS
Childhood Trauma has diverse effects on people and these include shock, unstable emotions, reflection of the cause of trauma, and restrained relationships. It occurs following sudden events such as disasters, rape, physical attack, or exposure to unusual environments. Trauma can affect development and have severe impacts on children, and depends on multiple social factors.
One of the elements that influence effects of trauma on children is the level of suffered stress and high levels are expected to have effects that are more significant. The scope of the event that induces the trauma is another factor to the effect of trauma on children with horrible experiences expected to yield effects that are more significant. A child's ability to endure pressure is another factor and relates with emotional stability. Those who are stable may suffer mild effects of trauma while children who aren’t mature emotionally are likely suffer severe effects. A child's personality is another significant element that determines effects of trauma on the child. Support that a child can receive, following exposure to a traumatic event, is another factor to effects of trauma. With all other factors kept constant, received support is likely to empower a child to overcome a traumatic experience.
“Children in alcoholic families suffer trauma as acute as soldiers in combat they also carry the trauma like an albatross through their lives.”
“Home is the place where you should feel safe but here, she is frightened. Cheeks streaked with tears, bruises all over the body, this little angel deserves to be loved not tormented.”
"What happens in childhood doesn’t always stay in CHILDHOOD"
"The wound might be healed but the pain is never forgotten"
CONCLUSION
Child abuse is a social injustice that is given the least attention in our society. Dealing with these reactions and helping your child recover from the abuse, requires time, strength, and support from your extended family, your community, and from professionals in law enforcement, child protection, and mental health services. It may be difficult, but it is important to notify law enforcement if your child discloses sexual abuse. This is an important step in keeping children safe in our society. However, the most important thing is that this subject needs to be reiterated, discussed publicly so that those who suffer silently for many, many years can overcome this trauma. Hopefully, someday more perpetrators will also be brought to justice.
