RECOMMENDED READS

Book Reviewer:  Joan van Niekerk

This is a very valuable little book, simply written and well illustrated with case studies set out clearly so that one can find useful information easily. It is useful for both the lay and professional counsellor when faced with a traumatised child and in fact the book states that it was written for (p2)

Indeed the book is simply written, but would perhaps be well beyond the literacy level of the lay counsellor with limited education. However much of the information could be simplified and condensed, translated into vernacular languages and used by lay trauma counsellors, who, in geographical areas where there are no professional resources, provide the only counselling assistance to the traumatised child. I would recommend that organisations involved in the training of lay trauma counsellors for children do use the resource material in this book and integrate it into their training programmes.

The early section of the book describes and defines trauma and how this impacts on the life of children. It describes the behavioural signs of trauma in children and follows this section with some very practical and yet simple management ideas.

The five chapter headings and subheading are entirely self explanatory.

1. The trauma as experienced by the child - this includes what is traumatic for children, the effects of trauma, identifying traumatised children and adult reactions to childhood trauma. This chapter is valuable in that it also tracks symptomatic behaviour through the various developmental stages of childhood, reminding the reader that children may respond differently to trauma depending on their ability to understand and deal with the traumatic event in their life.

2. How to help a traumatised child - this deals with managing the child'sdisclosure, coping with post-traumatic stress symptoms, and has a special section for teachers who have to manage the traumatised child in the classroom situation.

3. Trauma and violence - in this chapter various forms of violence are described and the child's possible traumatic response. This section also has a useful - but brief input on violent children - I think that this needs some expansion as statistics do indicate an increasing problem in relation to reported acts of violence on children by children - especially sexual violence.

4. Traumatic bereavement and grief - this section looks at children's grieving processes and how one can assist the grieving child.

5. The last section deals with the role of mental health professionals, who they are and what treatment involves. There are some sections in the book which the author may like to rethink and rewrite if a second printing is planned.

a. On P127 in the section on prevention some old myths raise their dangerous heads! It is so important when teaching children protective behaviours to do this with the knowledge and understanding that children, because of their small size and/or emotional and psychological immaturity cannot say "no" to abuse, and that to instruct a child, who has, or may in the future experience abuse, to say "no" when the child cannot, leaves the child with a double burden - that of the abuse, as well as a sense of personal failure and feelings of guilt. This is especially true of children who are abused within seductive relationships.

It is also important to let children - like adults - know that in some potentially dangerous situations, compliance may ensure survival, and resistance may result in greater injury or even death.

b. The section on the Justice system needs some re-writing. The author confuses the term "in camera" with the use of the intermediary system. It is important for every victim of a sexual crime to be aware of the fact that whether or not the intermediary system is used, they are entitled to give their evidence "in camera" or in private, whether they are adult or child.

The term "mediator" also cannot be used interchangeably with the term "intermediary" as both have very different legal meanings.

c. The Resource list at the end of the book is a wonderful idea and provides some very useful ideas re where to go for help. However the numbers are years out of date - some dating back to 1993 - and should have been checked and updated before the book was published as this limits the practical value of the resource list markedly.

Overall comment - a useful book for everyone who works with children to have on their bookshelf or to have access to.

Copyright SASPCAN 1999 - 2003.  Last updated 19 August 2003 . 
For queries about SASPCAN please mail saspcan@absamail.co.za