How Child Abuse Affects Children

Child abuse can have a variety of effects on a child’s development and psychological health. Recognizing signs of physical or psychological abuse and understanding the effects of abuse can help you protect your children from abuse. There are certain legal actions you can take if you suspect abuse from your spouse. Abuse can also impact the outcome of a divorce with things like child custody and visitation rights. Talk to an Oklahoma Family Lawyer if you have questions about this. 

How Abuse Affects a Child

Physical child abuse, psychological abuse, and neglect can all affect a child in different ways, some of which can continue into adulthood. However, it is important to note that not all children are affected equally by abuse or neglect. Some children can heal by adulthood and others can heal from therapy as an adult. Others may continue to have problems regardless of therapy. 

The way abuse or neglect affects a child can depend on the child’s age, pre-existing problems in the child such as developmental delays, and the type of abuse that they have been exposed to. Children often model future social relationships from the relationships and attachments they form in their childhood. Abuse from a parent or close family member can model an unstable and unhealthy relationship for the child. Since abuse is often frightening, the child can grow up viewing the world as frightening and unstable. 

This can make a child grow up into a person with unhealthy coping mechanisms like drug abuse, depression, and suicidal thoughts. In some instances, the child may mimic the abuse when they grow up on their spouse and children. All of these problems can affect the child’s ability to hold a job, receive an education, or maintain healthy social relationships. 

What To Do If Your Child Was Abused

The first thing you should do if you suspect abuse is to talk to your child and call the local pediatrician or psychologist. Seeking help from a health professional or organization that handles child abuse can help you figure out what can be done to help your child. Contact police when you have discovered a specific instance of abuse or neglect. 

If your child was abused by your spouse, this may count as grounds for divorce. Separating your child from the abuser or finding a way to end the abuse is important for the healing process to begin. During a divorce, child abuse may be able to earn you full child custody and denial of visitation rights to the abuser. A lawyer can help you navigate through the various legal processes that come with these types of situations. 

Family Law Attorney in Oklahoma

Figuring out the legal steps involved with divorce, child abuse, and child custody is often a complicated process. An Oklahoma Divorce Lawyer can help you assess your options and obtain the court orders you want. All you have to do is contact the Putnam Law Office today at (405)-849-9149 for a consultation. Mr. Putnam is an Oklahoma City, OK attorney who is dedicated to his clients.