25 Apr Exercising Courage in Protecting Children

Case Study: Child Sexual Abuse

 

Empowering clients can be challenging when the client is a minor

 

We must be diligent about following legal and life protecting standards.

 

Cases of child abuse involve deciding how, to whom, and which information related to the abuse is disclosed.

 

Sexual abuse is particularly daunting

 

Disclosure by the victim is usually delayed

 

Issues and Ethics

 

2

 

Empowering an Emotionally Abused Client

 

Case Study: Child Sexual Abuse

 

Children are prone to experience guilt, self-blame and shame.

 

We must be sensitive to sustaining the dignity of child clients and their families.

 

We must be courageous in our willingness to make difficult and complex decisions on behalf of the child and the family.

 

We must navigate the headwaters of dysfunction, sometimes hostile, family dynamic, contentious court battles, and/or detrimental agency policies to protect the child

 

Issues and Ethics

 

3

 

Table 8.1 *Stakeholders/Welfare/Interests

Stakeholders Welfare (Positive/Negative) Interests

Brooke Working through her issues in therapy Not having trust betrayed Protection from further abuse Being able to confide in and trust therapist Having support of mother

Audrey Working through her issues in therapy Maintaining her relationship with Brooke Helping Brooke improve her behavior Supporting and protecting Brooke

Dr. Flowers Not losing her job Helping Brooke and Aubrey continue counseling sessions Helping Brooke recover from trauma and empower her Demonstrating moral courage in the workplace Providing equitable counseling services to Brooke and Aubrey Demonstrating trustworthiness to Brooke and Aubrey

4

 

Empowering an Emotionally Abused Client

 

Case Study: Child Sexual Abuse

 

Courage, Honesty and Fairness – Flowers’s decision to challenge her agency’s mandate to terminate her clients

 

Candor and Respectfulness – Flowers explained in both oral and written form a plethora of information

 

Candor and Respectfulness – Flowers also informs Brooke of the information in language that is understandable to a 7-year-old

 

Issues and Ethics

 

5

 

Empowering an Emotionally Abused Client

 

Case Study: Child Sexual Abuse

 

Benevolence – Reminding of her duty to report

 

Compassionate Care – Flowers genuinely attempts to enter into Brooke’s subjective world and understand how isolated, afraid, helpless, and alone she must be feeling.

 

Trustworthiness – Flowers wonders whether telling Aubrey about Brooke’s allegations could possibly be construed as a breach of trust.

 

Issues and Ethics

 

6

 

Empowering an Emotionally Abused Client

 

Case Study: Child Sexual Abuse

 

Benevolence – Aubrey is informed that she will be broadly informed of her child’s progress and if her child is in danger.

 

Loyalty and Candor – Flowers gave Aubrey advance warning about an impending report to protective services.

 

Diligent – Flowers honored her commitment to be candid, respectful, and empowering

 

Issues and Ethics