While child physical abuse occurs among all ethnic, socioeconomic and cultural groups, few resources have been developed to facilitate therapy with children and families struggling with these issues or to raise awareness about this serious public health problem, says lead author Melissa Runyon. To fill the void, she and her team put pen to paper. The 56-page book, published in English and Spanish, is used by therapists and school counselors to aid communication with parents and children. In simple language, it tells the stories of three youngsters who describe their experiences and recovery from physical abuse. The book dispels common myths: for example, that the father is most often
the abusive parent. Showing families healing through effective therapy offers readers a message of hope. The book, supported by a grant from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Administration, is being distributed throughout New Jersey and nationally to more than 50 agencies that are part of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.
UMDNJ has long been a leader in raising the standard of care for children who have experienced abuse. The CARES Institute at SOM provides medical and mental health services to children who have experienced physical and sexual abuse, neglect and violence. CARES researchers have developed evidence-based models to treat these children and their families. Through interactive sessions, participants who are referred due to child physical abuse learn to communicate more effectively and strengthen family relationships. Therapists help children heal from the abuse they have experienced, and parents learn to manage their emotions and provide discipline without resorting to coercive and violent strategies.
The Institute has also taken its expertise outside the state’s borders, training thousands of mental health professionals in the U.S., Australia and several Scandinavian countries. In a current project in Sweden, Runyon has provided training to mental health professionals in four cities. A study will compare outcomes of the American model to the standard of care for families at risk for child physical abuse in Sweden.