If an act of crime is traumatic for adults, it could have deeper emotional effects for children because they experience it from a state of greater vulnerability.
Therefore, it is important to know the possible psychological effects of such an event and, even more, how your child perceives it so that you can later help him understand his emotions.
HOW DO YOU LIVE IT AND WHAT DO YOU FEEL?
He experiences feelings of vulnerability and fear not so much of what might happen to him, but to his mom or dad; of losing their source of protection and security: you, your mom or dad.
Let us remember that for children his father figures are his first link with the world he is getting to know; in fact, biologically his organism is adapting through them: his parents feed him, give him heat, protect him; satisfy their basic needs.
This value that his parents have for him places him at a point where he knows that he cannot survive by himself, so, in his mind is the big question: what would happen to me if my parents were not there? I could not survive! It is a natural and biological act that, although it seems incredible, determines the child’s emotionality in an act where he perceives that the life of his parents is in danger.
In an assault, your child would perceive himself even more unprotected and fearful than you would feel because also, his mind still does not understand why such an event occurs, that is, he does not know about crime, problems social, economic … In the portal of the Citizen Service Center of Mexico it is explained:
«Children have more doubts and fears than an adult because they have been taught that they must respect the elderly and that adults know what they do and what they say, which can confuse them and cause them to think, for example: did that person hurt me? Why did he take something that is mine in that way? Can anyone do this to me again? Did I do something wrong or why did this happen to me? ”
In any case, what they live and what they feel from such an experience is shaping the way they see the world. If they live assaults, homicides, rapes, mistreatment, humiliations (physical force, weapons, masks, and thieves emit screams and noises to intimidate the victims), that is exactly what their brain captures as part of the real, natural, normal and every day. And how sad that violence lives, right?
THE EFFECTS ON YOUR MIND
- Memories of the event that cause discomfort.
- Repetitive dreams about the event
- You have the feeling that the assault or violent act will happen again at any time.
- Little appetite, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue.
HOW CAN I HELP YOU?
The Mexican Citizen Attention Center makes the following recommendations:
- Explain that it was not his fault, tell him that it was wrong behavior on the part of the person who did it and that although as a precaution he must protect himself from everyone, not everyone will harm him.
- Let him know that it is normal to be afraid of these events.
- Don’t lie to them or give them false hopes that it won’t happen again.
- If he wants to be much closer to you than before (sleeping with you or sleeping in his room for fear that something bad will happen to him again) avoid scolding him, ridiculing him or minimizing his fears, be understanding.
- Children have different ways of expressing what they are feeling, for adults it may be a little easier to speak, while minors can choose the game to express their feelings, doubts or fears in this way; follow him if he plays on this theme.
Do not take this event lightly, observe your child’s behavior, give him more support and show yourself closer; Do not hesitate to go to an expert if you develop post-traumatic stress symptoms and, above all, be sure that he continues to feel protected.