Running head: Reflection 1

Reflection

Student Name

Professor’s University

University Name

21st March 2022

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Reflection

My client, Andrew is a 16-year-old boy, who has experienced significant trauma in

the last 6 months. His mother passed away and since then, he has been witness to his father's

aggressive behaviour. Andrew is in high school and has been continuously struggling with his

father’s violent tendencies and alcoholism for the last six months. It is no longer safe for

Andrew to continue living in his father’s home. In addition to other resources, recommended

here, he will benefit from seeking counselling services related to establishing boundaries and

strengthening his communication skills with his father.

He wants to leave the home and move out on his own but is worried about putting his

brothers at risk of further abuse. He's confident about his abilities and plans for his future.

With support, he will be able to better manage the emotional trauma of leaving his family,

gain access to counselling services, and begin working towards post-secondary education.

Andrew is a very intelligent and sharp young man. He's been working hard to

graduate from high school early. He has plans for the future and is confident about his

abilities. He faces some challenges that can be overcome with a little help. He will also need

support to maintain focus on his studies while transitioning into independent living.

The aggressive nature of Andrew’s father has caused some serious emotional damage

to Andrew. The emotional, social and economic stress of abuse has a debilitating effect on

children in particular. Intimidation by the abuser is often linked with children’s reluctance to

leave abusive relationships. The loss of homes, schools and familiar neighbourhoods can

cause serious emotional problems, including anxiety, behavioural and attention problems and

depression. Children’s emotional and intellectual development may be disrupted as a result of

domestic abuse, making effective learning impossible. A child’s exposure to persistent

domestic abuse can also affect their cognitive and social development, limiting their ability to

interact successfully with their environment. The consequences of these experiences range
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from poor school performance to emotional and behavioural problems, damaging children’s

potential for academic and emotional success. Child abuse is a common difficulty for

children across the world. Victims of child abuse are plagued with lifelong complications to

their self-esteem, development and ability to function in the world. Child abuse is often a

topic many parents and carers will try to avoid, due to fear of being branded abusive should

you sometimes lose your temper, for example. There are times when children are deliberately

or knowingly harmed, but much more often it is as a result of inappropriate decisions or

actions. Whatever the cause, it is vital that all parents and carers understand what constitutes

child abuse so that they can make informed choices about their parenting style and actions.

Recognising and preventing child abuse is the responsibility of all people working with

children. It is not the role of child protection professionals to identify every child who is

being abused, but rather to ensure that a child’s concerns are listened to and acted upon and

that children and young people receive appropriate support following abuse.

Andrew has shown signs of maturity at a very early age. With the right guidance and

help, he can create a better life for himself and his brothers. He is aware of his responsibilities

towards them and is eager to help. He’s suffered this aggressive kind of abuse for a long

period. The normal reactions he shows are healthy, such as a rising stress level and a fight or

flight response. I believe talking with experienced adults can benefit him in taking decisions

independently, which will give him confidence and reduce his stress levels. Andrew presents

serious concerns about the risk of his brothers being exposed to the same abusive atmosphere.

He is aware that he cannot handle such an environment and its consequences by himself, so

it's important to provide him with more structured and professionally-supported surroundings

until he can think about more permanent options.

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References

Sousa, C., Mason, W. A., Herrenkohl, T. I., Prince, D., Herrenkohl, R. C., & Russo, M. J.

(2018). Direct and indirect effects of child abuse and environmental stress: A

lifecourse perspective on adversity and depressive symptoms. American Journal of

Orthopsychiatry, 88(2), 180.

James, F., & Green, J. (2018). Long term effects of child abuse: lessons for Australian

paediatric nurses. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, The, 35(4), 42-51.