Through the Shadows: Exploring Domestic Child Torture
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29173/jafn719Keywords:
Torture, child abuseAbstract
Child torture is a severe form of child maltreatment. Children who are tortured are at high risk of death and/or re-traumatization. It is imperative both legally and ethically that health care providers recognize children who are being tortured in order to develop a safety plan to help prevent further abuse and trauma to the child. This article will define and address the following: child torture, intrafamilial child torture (ICT), common presentations of victims of ICT, risk factors of victims of ICT, and guidelines for healthcare practitioners working in the United States when they assess victims. Additionally, there will be a discussion on the importance of collaborating both on an interdisciplinary (e.g. medical, social workers, child protective case workers, psychology) and multidisciplinary (clinical and legal) level. and the utilization of self-care activities for clinicians, after treating a child who has been tortured.
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