Addressing Child Abuse to Create Brighter Futures for Adolescents and Young Adults
National Child Abuse Prevention Month is an important initiative that highlights the need to educate the public and collaborate with families and communities to prevent child abuse and neglect. Child abuse and neglect refers to an act or failure to act by a parent or caregiver that results in, or places a child at imminent risk of, harm. Abuse can be physical, sexual, or emotional and may also include parental substance use or abandonment. Child abuse can have serious long-term effects on a young person, as these experiences are considered adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) that occur during critical developmental years. Such experiences can lead to cognitive difficulties, social challenges, juvenile delinquency, adult criminality, substance abuse, future abusive behavior, and an increased risk of chronic illness. According to Megan Sutsko, PsyD, a clinical psychologist with the Assessment Services team at Teen Health Connection, there are signs and risk factors associated with abuse and trauma that can be identified.
“Risk factors include poverty and family system stressors, parental mental health challenges, parental substance abuse, domestic violence in the home, and any type of developmental delay or disability in the child,” said Dr. Sutsko. “The early warning signs of trauma vary and can often mimic an ADHD presentation. Children can display erratic behavior, have trouble regulating their mood, demonstrate aggression, struggle in school, have loose or rigid boundaries, and some children get very withdrawn. It is important that any significant change in a child’s behavior or mood is monitored closely.”
At Teen Health Connection, we are committed to addressing child abuse by evaluating the challenges youth in our community face and creating clear action plans to support healing and prevent future abuse. One of the primary ways we do this is through our Independent Psychological Assessment (IPA) program, which provides objective, comprehensive psychological assessments for youth ages five and older who have experienced one or more forms of child maltreatment and are part of our foster care system. Our team of licensed psychologists accepts referrals for youth who have entered Child Welfare custody in Mecklenburg County due to abuse, neglect, and/or dependency.
“The IPA team specifically intervenes to assess children who have either experienced abuse or neglect or have an elevated risk for experiencing abuse or neglect.” stated Dr. Sutsko. “We contribute to prevention by outlining a path of healing and recovery for the children we see. We also give feedback explaining how abuse and neglect impact the mental health and development of the child. The IPA process is meant to be a factor for change and healing in families who are struggling.”
Early intervention is important when addressing child abuse because it can help minimize the risk of long-term negative effects on life-course development. The majority of victims experience at least one adverse outcome as a result of their victimization, particularly when these outcomes are measured in adulthood. For this reason, it is critical to prevent child abuse and neglect before it occurs or to intervene as early as possible.
In many cases, the way in which care is provided is a critical factor in helping a young person recover. The IPA psychologists and our other care providers believe that providing trauma-informed care is essential to supporting healing and resilience for adolescents who have experienced abuse. As Dr. Sutsko expressed, “It is important to create a treatment environment that feels safe and empowering. Understanding that individual’s specific sensitivities and normalizing a trauma response can help adolescents trust the process.”
Addressing child abuse is one of the key factors in helping young people live safe, happy, and healthy lives. “The hope is that their healing will diminish recurring patterns and reduce generational trauma,” Dr. Sutsko answered when reflecting on how Teen Health Connection contributes to the prevention of child abuse and neglect through its Independent Psychological Assessments. She stresses the importance of prevention, awareness, and support for children and adolescents, leaving us with the message, “What I would want the community to take to heart is the importance of shifting our perspective when supporting children and adolescents. Instead of asking, ‘What is wrong with you?’ we should be asking, ‘What happened to you?’ This trauma informed lens helps us understand behaviors within the context of lived experiences, promotes compassion over judgment, and creates safer, more supportive environments where healing can truly begin.”
Written by – Isaiah Griffin
Sources
Goldstein E, Chokshi B, Melendez-Torres GJ, Rios A, Jelley M, Lewis-O’Connor A. Effectiveness of Trauma-Informed Care Implementation in Health Care Settings: Systematic Review of Reviews and Realist Synthesis. Perm J. 2024 Mar 15;28(1):135-150. doi: 10.7812/TPP/23.127. Epub 2024 Mar 6. PMID: 38444328; PMCID: PMC10940237.
Reynolds AJ, Mathieson LC, Topitzes JW. Do early childhood interventions prevent child maltreatment? A review of research. Child Maltreat. 2009 May;14(2):182-206. doi: 10.1177/1077559508326223. Epub 2009 Feb 24. PMID: 19240245; PMCID: PMC5004346.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d.). What is child abuse? https://www.hhs.gov/answers/programs-for-families-and-children/what-is-child-abuse/index.html
