END THE SCOURGE OF CHILD ABUSE
YEARS OF PAIN There’s no specific treatment duration for counselling victims of child abuse
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LUCKNOW: It’s a relief for a victim of child abuse when the family reaches out for help and the culprit is put behind bars. But experts say the horror, in most cases, lingers on. According to doctors, it’s a long journey for children, as the memories can come rushing back any time, impacting their mind and recovery.
Sample this. A middle-aged woman turned up for treatment at the King George’s Medical University (KGMU). She detested men, even those in her family. “Her hatred was such that she was unable to live with her husband. When we counselled her, physical abuse during childhood emerged as the root cause of her problem,” said Dr Pooja Mahour, assistant professor at the department of psychiatry, KGMU.
Dr Mahour, who is in the child and adolescent unit of the department, says that victims of up to 90% child abuse cases are girls.
An eight-year-old patient who came there had been abused by her neighbour. Although the “dirty uncle” was caught and her parents supported her, she couldn’t muster the courage to go out and play. “The physical abuse had caused behavioural problems and anger outbursts towards everyone she met. The culprit was caught and threatened not to repeat the act but the girl continues to live in trauma,” said Dr Mahour.
“For her, school became a problem as she could not concentrate, had dissociated with her with friends, and didn’t respond to teachers. An overall personality change was observed in her,” she added.
Doctors say there’s no specific treatment duration as far as counselling victims of child abuse is concerned.
Dr Devashish Shukla of the department of psychiatry, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia hospital, said, “I have a case where the child came to me as an 8-yearold. He’s a 12 now.”
“The mental trauma not only affects the mind (of victim) but impairs physical development too,” he added.
There are those who are brutally assaulted and need multiple surgeries and hospital visits. Prof JD Rawat of the department of paediatric surgery, KGMU, said, “Often the smaller kids (below 5 years) ask why they are made to visit the hospital. Such kids need anywhere from 9 to 12 months for complete surgical treatment.”