Assignment on Physical Abuse of a Child?

Question

For my assignment I have to write a dialogue that may occur between myself and a child who appears to have been beaten by his mother, but every time I try to write it I feel my character is "leading" the child.

What sort of questions would I ask that wouldn't traumatise the kid even more than he already would be?

What sort of things would a Five year old be likely to disclose to a child care worker about his mother hitting him?

I work in a child care centre. This assignment is part of the cerificate I need to complete for my qualifications.

In the scenario the child has marks on his legs, neck and a very swollen red ear.

I'm having trouble writing what I would say in response to the child disclosing "Mummy hit me".

Answer 1

Have any stuffed animals? Many therapists use stuffed animals or dolls for children to playact with, just by observing, the child with the toy, you can learn a lot. You can say, is the mother doll angry with the child doll, what is she doing, when she is angry. Does that hurt, when the mother does that. I sew anatomically correct bears for therapist to use in child sexual abuse cases. So I know that working with stuffed animals, dolls is a popular way for therapists to elicit answers from children without leading the children.
You are to be commended for doing this work. Helping children to live a good, happy life is rewarding.

Answer 2

Child: Mommy hit me.

You: She did? Why did she do that? (Respond like he had just told you that his mom jumped off the couch. Don't sound horrified or anything, just concerned)

Child: I don't know.

Y: That's okay. I may ask you some question you don't know the answer to, and that's ok. What did she hit you with?

C: child's response

Other questions you need to ask include:
Where were you?
Was anyone else there?
Has mommy done this one time or more than one time?
What makes mommy mad?

A 5 year old will be very blunt about what happened or will be very reluctant. Depends on the child, level of fear and severity of abuse.

Hopefully the child will respond with the information you want. If not, spend more time making the child comfortable. Talk aboaut safe things such as hobbies, favorite cartoon, school. You can always ease back into talking about his mom when he becomes comfortable again. Also, let the child talk about good things his mom does for him. I have found this helps the child feel better about telling the bad things.

Answer 3

Make sure that you don't reference in any way that he might be removed from his mother. Don't be surprised if you get very little from a child this age, they generally don't like to "tell" on mommy.

While maintaining a comfortable distance between the two of you (you should get down to his level so as not to intimadate him). Ask the following types of questions---

Can you tell me how you got that owie on your _____?

I bet that must have hurt, did you cry?

After he relates a bit of info--most likely that he fell, tripped, crashed his bike---Did any one see you fall? Did they help you get up?

Have you ever had owies like this before?

As you can see, mum and dad are never mentioned. Leading a bit is going to happen and that is okay as long as you are not supplying the child with the answers you want, or making veiled accusations.

What sort of things would a five year disclose? Next to nothing if he can get away with it. Don't forget that abused children are extremely loyal to their parents, they don't really want to talk to you!

Answer 4

you would have to make the child comfortable with you first and sometimes they just tell you stuff and you didn't even have to ask . Just try to establish a friendship and let him know that your not there to hurt them.