3. Emotional Abuse
A child can be emotionally abused in a number of ways. They may be treated differently in the family and made a scapegoat. They may have had a number of different carers and have no experience of being special to one adult. Children may have experienced humiliation and been made to feel shame for behaviour that they could not control, e.g. bed wetting. They may have been left hungry and dirty with little expectation of regular caring attention. Such treatment can leave a child feeling worthless and cause adverse effects on a child’s emotional development.
Case Study: Chloe and Gerard
Chloe aged 5 and Gerard aged 4 are the children of a 29 year old mother, Gina. Gina had a difficult childhood as her mother was an alcohol abuser and Gina had, at times, struggled to manage the care of her children.
When Chloe was born she had more of her mother’s attention and Gina could manage her little daughter. She enjoyed dressing her in pretty clothes and took pleasure in Chloe’s lively personality. After Gerard was born Gina was soon in a relationship with Joe, who was charmed by Chloe, but found Gerard demanding and irritating. Gina was dependent on her new partner, Joe, and tried hard to please him.
Gerard, however, was often picked on and punished by both parents for his demanding behaviour. He did not always do as he was told and was a boisterous, challenging boy. Joe had grown up in a family with strict and rigid rules and had often been punished for minor things. He believed that Gerard needed more discipline but his punishments were harsh for a little boy. Gerard was hit and sent to his room for long periods if he irritated the grownups and sometimes had his bedding removed if he had wet the bed.
Chloe’s behaviour deteriorated as, living in an atmosphere of fear led to her lying to protect Gerard. If really stressed, Gerard would soil himself and Joe thought it would teach Gerard a lesson to remain in soiled clothes. Gerard felt humiliated, and the punishments became more severe as Gerard continued to fail. He was often sent to his grandmother as a way of managing the stress in the family. Sadly, his grandmother had an alcohol problem and did not offer reliable care and, on several occasions, Gerard was found wandering in the late evening.
Neighbours reported the children left in the garden on winter evenings and involved the Child Protection Team of the local Council. Efforts were made to improve Gina and Joe’s parenting, but Gina always defended Joe’s treatment of the children and there were no improvements. When the children were 6 and 5 the court decided that it was not safe for the children to remain with Gina and Joe and an adoptive family would be the best way to secure the children’s future.
Answer the following questions about Chloe and Gerard’s background and how it would be dealt with in their long term care.