Date: Sunday, 06 October 2024
Author: Queennette Odudu
Country: United States of America
SUMMARY
Somewhere deep in the shadows, an unsettling paradox appears. Persons who have survived childhood abuse, once helpless victims, go on to do the same evil that tormented them as children. This heartbreaking occurrence brings forth essential issues regarding the state of humanity: What compels someone to go through the same painful cycle again? Is it an attempt to gain control, a cry for assistance, or a sign of something more serious? We will traverse the difficult terrain of trauma, power relations, and the relentless pursuit of healing as we examine this intricate and delicate subject.
BACKGROUND
The Vicious Cycle of Child Abuse
Abuse generally is a traumatizing experience, and no individual, not even a child, should be subjected to it in whatever form, but in society, we find there are things that have gone beyond control, eaten deep into the depths of society; one of them is child abuse. Child maltreatment is a global issue with serious life-long consequences, affecting nearly 300 million children aged 2-4 years. It includes physical and emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, negligence, and commercial or other exploitation. The consequences of this abuse include impaired lifelong physical and mental health, social and occupational outcomes that can slow a country's economic and social development, and the transmission of violence from one generation to the next.
Child abuse is often hidden, with only a fraction of child victims ever receiving support from health professionals. A child who is abused is more likely to harm others as an adult, so violence is passed down from one generation to the next. In armed conflict and refugee settings, girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence, exploitation, and abuse by combatants, security forces, members of their communities, aid workers, and others, thus having a severe short- and long-term physical, sexual, and mental health consequences, including injuries, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Adolescent girls may face additional health issues, including gynecological disorders and unwanted pregnancy.
There is a significant chance that an adult who experienced abuse as a kid may go on to engage in abusive relationships, either as the abuser or the victim. Some survivors of childhood sexual abuse may try to undo the abuse by taking back power. By engaging in a relationship with another abuser, they can try to relive the relationship with their original abuser in the hope that they can get it right this time. Similarly, by becoming an abuser, someone who has been abused can play the role of the more powerful person in the relationship to overcome the powerlessness they felt.
Unfortunately, this is ineffective, and they may repeatedly dominate others in a futile attempt to get over the weakness they experience. Understanding the elements that contribute to this cycle is crucial for creating successful preventative and intervention efforts, even if not all survivors of child abuse go on to abuse others.
Factors Contributing to the Cycle of Abuse
Child abuse is a profoundly damaging experience that can have long-term psychological, emotional, and social consequences. A troubling aspect of child abuse is the cycle of abuse: some victims of child abuse go on to abuse others in their adulthood. This pattern, known as the “intergenerational transmission of abuse,” raises important questions about why this cycle occurs and how it can be broken. While not all survivors of child abuse become abusers, understanding the factors that contribute to this cycle is essential for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies.
Research suggests that about 30% of people who were abused or neglected as children go on to abuse their own children. This statistic, while significant, also means that 70% of abuse survivors do not perpetuate the cycle, highlighting that child abuse does not inevitably lead to future abusive behavior. Instead, a combination of psychological, environmental, and social factors contributes to whether a child abuse victim may become an abuser.
Some of these factors includes:
1. Learned Behavior and Normalization of Violence:
Many abused children are raised in homes where control, coercion, and violence are accepted as normal aspects of interpersonal interactions. These kids could come to believe that abusing others is a legitimate means of resolving disputes, expressing rage, or gaining control over them. Because they have internalized these behaviours as "normal" ways to engage with people, particularly in family relationships, they may unintentionally repeat them as adults.
2. Unresolved Trauma and Psychological Effects:
Complex trauma stemming from childhood abuse frequently impacts brain development, emotional regulation, and the capacity to build safe relationships. Insomnia, sadness, anxiety, PTSD, and personality disorders are among the mental health conditions that victims may experience. There are instances where these psychological impacts later in life materialize as violent acts. A person may become aggressive or abusive towards others if, for example, unresolved anger, frustration, or emotions of helplessness stemming from past maltreatment.
3. Attachment Problems:
The formation of stable relationships between a kid and their carer can be significantly impacted by child abuse. Children who have experienced abuse may grow up with unorganized or insecure attachment styles, which might hinder their ability to form good connections as adults. Individuals who suffer from disordered attachment tendencies may oscillate between accepting and rejecting intimacy, and they may react violently or abusively to perceived dangers. Their skewed perception of security, affection, and trust may cause them to imitate the violent acts they were subjected to.
4. Emotional Irregularity:
Children who experience abuse frequently have trouble controlling their emotions and impulses, which can persist into adulthood. They might struggle to control their feelings, responding in circumstances that don't call for such strong emotions as rage or fury. This loss of self-control, particularly in intense or conflict-filled circumstances, can result in hostile or abusive behavior toward others.
5. Absence of Encouragement and Good Models:
Being raised in an abusive household frequently results in a lack of healthy behavior role models. Victims might not acquire healthy ways to express their emotions or how to be in relationships that are not abusive if they are not exposed to constructive dispute resolution, empathy, and caring interactions.
6. Societal and Cultural Influences:
Cultural norms and societal attitudes toward violence, gender roles, and family dynamics also play a significant role. In societies or communities where violence is tolerated or seen as a form of discipline or authority, abuse survivors may be more likely to rationalize or justify their abusive behavior. Societal pressures, stigmas, and lack of access to mental health resources can further exacerbate the cycle of abuse.
How do we break this Cycle?
Breaking the cycle of child abuse requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach that addresses the various aspects of this complex issue. Early intervention and prevention are crucial in stopping the cycle of abuse before it begins. Community education programs can help educate the public about child abuse, its signs, and its consequences. Parenting classes can guide and support parents and caregivers on healthy parenting practices, stress management, and conflict resolution. Public awareness campaigns can utilize media and social media platforms to raise awareness about child abuse and promote prevention strategies.
Furthermore, therapy and support are essential for survivors of child abuse. Counseling can provide individual and group counseling sessions for survivors to process their experiences, develop coping mechanisms, and learn healthy ways to manage emotions and relationships. Likewise, facilitating support groups for survivors to share their experiences, receive emotional support, and connect with others who have gone through similar situations can also be a way to break this cycle.
As many victims of child abuse tend to suffer from mental health issues, addressing mental health and substance abuse is also critical in breaking the cycle of abuse. Mental health services can provide access to mental health professionals who can diagnose and treat mental health issues related to child abuse with the help of the government and NGOs. Substance abuse treatment can offer treatment and support services for survivors struggling with substance abuse.
Finally, strengthening legal protections and advocacy is necessary to ensure survivors receive the justice and support they deserve. This will, in a way, deter them from being vengeful and eventually becoming abusers themselves. Policymakers can advocate for policy changes that strengthen legal protections for survivors and hold perpetrators accountable. Legal practitioners, too, can provide access to legal assistance and support services for survivors navigating the legal system.
Conclusion
Understanding why some victims of child abuse become abusers is crucial for stopping the cycle of violence. While not all survivors repeat the pattern, those who do frequently have unresolved trauma, learned behaviors, emotional dysregulation, and a lack of positive role models. Additionally, societal and cultural variables can help to normalize abusive behavior. A multifaceted approach is required to break the cycle, including early intervention, community education, mental health care, and strong legal protections. By addressing these issues, we can help survivors heal and prevent abuse from spreading to future generations, resulting in a safer, healthier society for everyone.
REFERENCES
1. Child Welfare Information Gateway, “Long-Term Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect” https://cwig-prod-prod-drupal-s3fs-us-east-1.s3.amazonaws.com/public/documents/long_term_consequences.pdf accessed 4 September 2024
2. Malory Plummer and Annie Cossins “The Cycle of Abuse: When Victims Become Offenders https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27436859/ accessed 3 September 2024
3. Randi, “How to Stop the Cycle of Abuse” https://cptsdfoundation.org/2020/09/18/how-to-stop-the-cycle-of-abuse/ accessed 4 September 2024
4. World Health Organization, “Child Maltreatment’ https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/child-maltreatment World Health Organization, “Child Maltreatment” https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/child-maltreatment accessed 3 September 2024
5. Melissa Van Wert & Ors, “Intergenerational Transmission of Child Abuse and Neglect: A Transdisciplinary Analysis” https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2470289719826101 Accessed 4 September 2024
Access to full PDF link: https://c1486ebe-335a-4a6e-8000-6fa320baf58f.usrfiles.com/ugd/c1486e_9f2589920a0146d68c2e31066ce1ea42.pdf
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