In cases of child abuse, the psychological scars last a lifetime.

Minister for Health and Social Development, Dancia Penn-Sallah made this statement at the opening of child abuse month, which is held under the theme ‘Together we can break the chains of child abuse in our community.’ 

She pointed to the fact that children experts the stage from birth to age five or seven is the most impressionable stage in a child’s life.

“It is during this sensitive time of innocence when concepts of significant trusting relationships are formed. Violence against children whether physical or mental can create immediate and long-term impacts,” she said.

Psychologists and Psychiatrists have concluded that such violence can have effects into later childhood, adolescence and adult life.

According to Lisa Dunning, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Specialising in Parent/Child Relationship issues in the US, stressed that many children who suffer from the psychological effects of child abuse often become child abusers themselves or can become perpetrators of violent crimes.

She reported that though the psychological effects of child abuse cannot be reversed, through counseling a child can learn more appropriate coping skills in dealing with their pain and anger.

Some psychological effects of child abuse are:

• Withdrawal from friends

• Low self esteem

• Timid and unsure of themselves

• Aggressive/hostile

• Angry

• Poor relationships with peers and/or the opposite sex

• Engaging in drugs and/or alcohol

• Poor school performance

• No interests

No goals

Here in the BVI, the Social Development Department last year recorded 40 reports of alleged incidents of child abuse and neglect. Of those 40 cases, 18 were reports of neglect; 12 were reports of sexual abuse; eight were reports of physical abuse and two were reports of verbal abuse.

And according to Minster Penn- Sallah, “the most disturbing reports to the Social Development Department continue to receive are reports neglect of children in our community.”

She added that in addition to the negative impact child abuse has on its victims, there are major economic consequences for individual families and for society as a whole.

“Some direct costs of child abuse include medical treatment for victims, legal costs, and social and welfare costs such as placement in foster care. In 2007 alone, the actual expenditure of the Social Development Department to address incidents of child abuse, totalled $426,580,” the Health Minster disclosed. 

There were also costs incurred by partner agencies such as Community Mental Health, Department of Education, and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force. 

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