Art Therapy - Children's Program

Friends Children’s Program is available to children ages 5 years and older who reside in Washington County and have witnessed or experienced domestic violence. Programming includes individual and group art therapy, advocacy, parenting education, and family unit activities.

Women who are battered often go to extreme and courageous lengths to protect their children from an abusive partner. In fact, research has shown that the non-abusing parent is often the strongest protective factor in the lives of children who are exposed to domestic violence. However, growing up in a violent home may be a terrifying and traumatic experience that can affect every aspect of the child’s life, growth, and development. In spite of this we have learned that when properly identified and addressed, the effects of domestic violence on children can be mitigated. Children who witness or experience domestic violence cope by acting out aggression, role-reversal with adults, being controlling, under-achieving, withdrawing, regressing, escaping, and over achieving.

Art Therapy is a process where children are encouraged to explore a variety of art materials to express and communicate thoughts, fears and experiences. The act of creation can be used to help them develop strategies for coping and remaining safe in the future.

The symbolic quality of representation and the focus on imaginative expression is used to explore ideas feelings and issues which include:

• Hopes and concerns for the future. Make sense of external confusion.
• Enhance communication skills in relationships and in doing so develop insight.
• Provide a non-verbal avenue to express feelings/experiences too difficult to verbalize. 
• Increase self esteem and confidence.
• Stimulate imagination and creativity.
• Assist with development of motor skills and physical coordination.

The act of making a piece of art triggers internal activity that contributes to physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. The Art Therapist, who is trained in counseling, employs many other techniques such as relaxation, child-centered play, behavior charts, and family systems counseling to promote healing in all areas of the family’s life.

For more information about the art therapy program please call 262-334-7298 or email info@fafinc.org.

How Domestic Violence Effects Child Development

Children growing up in a violent home are affected whether or not anyone ever lays a hand on them. Immersion in environmental violence will have the same traumatic emotional affects on children and the same power to make abusers or victims out of them in the future.

Fetus:

DV is a leading cause of birth defects and increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, low premature birth, and birth weight, and premature birth.

Infant:

DV can cause fussiness; sleep problems; excessive crying and screaming; hiding; excessive startle; stuttering; language delays; and aggression. Direct injury may result when being held in a mother’s arms while she is being battered.

Pre-School:

DV may cause tension-related tics; withdrawal or aggression; attention deficit disorder; speech delays and disorders; insufficient bonding; neglect; injury; inappropriate sexual knowledge or language; stress-related illness; fear of parent; over-clingy to parent; regression and escapism.

School-Age:

DV may cause aggression; acting out; withdrawal; depression; attack abuser; hide from abuser; shock; running away; bed-wetting; nightmares; cruelty to animals; learning problems; under or over achievement; eating disorders; early drug or alcohol use; sexual activity or acting out; role reversal with adults; regression and escapism.

Teenagers:

DV may cause abuse of own mother; runaway; trouble with alcohol or other drugs; sexual activity or acting out; eating disorders; aggression; depression and suicide; pregnancy; homicide; dating violence; rape and gang violence.

Indicators of Domestic Violence in a Child’s Life

Identifying children who are witnessing or experiencing domestic violence is not easy. Many times you will not see physical indicators such as bruises, broken bones, or cuts. The signs of violence may be invisible – therefore you must be aware of the behavioral and emotional indicators.

Emotional Abuse:

Physical Indicators	Emotional/Behavioral Indicators
Speech disorders	Bad habits
Lags in physical development	Behavior problems/extremes (overly aggressive, overly compliant, too adult, too babyish)
Failure to thrive	Neurotic traits (obsessions, phobias, hypochondria)
	Lags in emotional or intellectual development
	Attempted suicide

 

Physical Abuse:

Physical Indicators	Emotional/Behavioral Indicators
Pattern of absences from school.	Learning disabilities, extreme curiosity, imagination, fantasy life, day dreaming.
Unexplained pattern of physical injuries – or injuries at various stages of healing.	Fearful of others, overly compliant, withdrawn, listless, aggressive, hyperactive, constantly irritable or irritating, phobias, hysteria.
Chronic unresponsive stress related ailments. May include asthma, stomach aches, vomiting, and headaches.	Nightmares, afraid to go home, running away, substance abuse, delinquency, bed wetting, frightened of a particular adults or of all adults.

 

Sexual Abuse:

Most often there are no physical indicators of sexual abuse.

Physical Indicators	Emotional/Behavioral Indicators
Difficulty walking or standing.	Sudden behavior change.
Torn, stained, bloody underclothing.	Unwilling to change for gym class.
Pain/itching on genital areas.	Withdrawal, fantasy, or babyish behavior.
Sexually transmitted disease, early or unwanted pregnancy.	Unusual sexual knowledge or behavior. Oral, written or artistic expression with frequent sexual content.
Chronic sore throat.	Poor relationships with peers.
Vaginal or bladder infections.	Substance abuse, eating disorders

Neglect:

Physical Indicators	Emotional/Behavioral Indicators
Pattern of school absences - Extended stays at school – early arrival, late departure	Begging for and/or stealing food
Hunger	Constant fatigue
Poor hygiene – unattended physical/medical needs	Substance abuse, eating disorders
Lack of supervision, abandonment

How to Help Children Affected by Domestic Violence

Nurturing children affected by domestic violence can begin the healing process. While providing the needed love and care, it is important demonstrate the following characteristics.

Trust and Respect
Acknowledge children's right to have their own feelings, friends, activities, and opinions. Promote independence, allow for privacy, and respect their feelings. Believe in them.

Provide Emotional Security
Talk and act so children feel safe and comfortable expressing themselves. Be gentle. Be dependable.

Provide Physical Security
Provide healthy food, safe shelter, and appropriate clothing. Teach personal hygiene and nutrition. Monitor safety, develop a daily routine and consistent family structure.

Provide Discipline
Be consistent. Ensure rules are appropriate to the age and developmental level of the child. Be clear about limits and expectations. Use discipline to guide, not punish.

Give Time
Participate in the children's lives, activities, school, sports, special events, celebrations, and friends. Include children in appropriate adult activities.

Encourage and Support
Be affirming. Encourage children to follow their interests. Allow disagreement. Recognize improvement. Teach new skills. Let them make mistakes.

Give Affection
Express verbal and physical affection. Be affectionate when children are physically or emotionally hurt.

Care for Yourself
Give yourself personal time. Keep yourself healthy. Maintain friendships.