Agenda - 04-15-2003-6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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2002 HSAC Forum family violence, unemployment and lack of parenting skills. The team recommends close coordination between law enforcement and the Department of Social Services as well as enhanced collaboration and information sharing between agencies. Ms. Moore said that the abuse and neglect of developing children could lead to permanent changes to the brain in the areas of learning and assigning emotional significance to acts around them. These scars can never heal. She said, "Primary prevention goes back to home visitation." Programs like the Hillsborough Exchange Club Family Center can help teach families skills for organization, budgeting, discipline and nurturing. Adolescent abuse. Mr. Renfroe has encountered two basic kinds of adolescent abuse. The first is abuse by a parent or guardian. The second is the growing trend towards domestic violence among dating teens. Signs from the first kind of abuse often reflect blows to the face such as visible bruises, black eyes and split lips. Teens are often faced with higher rates of sexual abuse as they begin to move into maturity. These teens vary in their reactions some become .withdrawn and shy, covered in layers of clothing, while others run away from home, `act out' or become sexually promiscuous. CHARACTERISTICS OF TEEN ABUSERS ^ History of family abuse ^ Jealous ^ Charming ^ Quick-tempered ^ Hurtful ^ Blaming others ^ Prone to addiction ^ Cheating ^ Controlling CHARACTERISTICS OF TEEN VICTIMS ^ History of family abuse ^ Attempt suicide more often ^ More likely. to engage in sexually risky behavior ^ More likely to ride with drunk drivers This information was taken from Darrell Renfroe's talk. Mr. Renfroe said that teens experiencing all the kinds of abuse are more likely to have suicidal thoughts, eating disorders and alcohol and drug issues. They may be truant or show signs of depression, anxiety and destructive, 7