NRNP 6645 MIDTERM REVIEW

Domestic violence & sexual abuse:  Most states require professionals to report any suspicion of child abuse.  Although reporting suspected abuse can jeopardize a therapeutic alliance, sometimes therapy needs to take a second place to the interests of safety.  If a clinician does not report suspected child abuse, they should consider the consequences of making a mistake.  Perpetrators and victims of childhood sexual abuse don’t usually volunteer this information.  Detection of this abuse is up to the therapist who may have to rely on indirect clues  A child MAY show the following symptoms if they are being abused: sleep disturbance, encopresis or enuresis, abdominal pain, exaggerated startle response, appetite disturbance, sudden unexplained changes in behavior, overly sexualized behavior, regressive behavior, suicidal thoughts or running away.