Marilia Gabriela Deras
CJ 315 Module 5 Journal
Southern New Hampshire University
February 9, 2025
Children and teens who may experience traumatic events in their lives may have a plethora of
reactions, which will include physical, emotional, and behavioral shifts. Some physical reactions
could consist of stomach aches or any ache, sleep deprivation brought on by nightmares. Some
emotional changes could be fear, anger, heightened anxiety, mood swings, irritability, and
helplessness. Some behavioral changes to look out for could be withdrawing from activities they
usually enjoy, difficulty concentrating, alienating themselves from friends and family, and
portraying someone who is self-harming, attempting to commit suicide. It is very crucial for
children who have experienced this type of trauma to speak out on this for a multitude of
reasons. Children are the most vulnerable in our society today, and it is crucial for a child’s
development that they have stability in their most formative years. Suppressing their feelings and
not talking to a professional about the past traumas they endured can lead to serious mental
health issues that can arise, such as anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, eating disorders,
dissociative identity disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It can also lead to them
continuing the cycle of abuse onto someone else, as it was normalized for them, so they believe
that behavior is okay. Some actions that adults in these children’s lives that are experiencing
trauma can take to ensure a safe space for them is to create safe spaces for these kids. Creating a
safe space will assure the child they are safe and they are safe to express however they are
feeling. Adults will also need to have patience with the children because you cannot expect them
to just get over what they have endured. Adults should also find healthy ways for the child to
cope, whether that child receives therapy and is given coping mechanisms or through expression
of art, writing, or conversation. Also, having a consistent routine can help the child adjust to life
after the trauma and feel safe knowing they have an everyday routine that won’t change. State
laws do affect how an adult responds to a child victim by allowing who is considered a
“mandated reporter” and what criteria that falls underneath. This depends on the state you live in
and how strict the laws are with mandated reporting in that specific state. For example, in New
York State, Individuals who are employed by, or volunteer at, state operated, licensed, or
certified facilities or agencies under the Justice Center's jurisdiction are mandated reporters.
Consultants, volunteers, or contractors of organizations or companies that contract with facilities
and agencies under the Justice Center's jurisdiction are also considered to be custodians if they
have regular and substantial contact with a person receiving services. This varies from teacher to
therapist, physician, police officers, legal professionals, etc. In New York, the child laws are
much stricter than in most states. It solely depends on the state you live in because in some
states, it's voluntary rather than mandatory.
References
Mandated reporters. (n.d.-b). Justice Center for the Protection of People With Special Needs.
https://www.justicecenter.ny.gov/mandated-reporters
Ehmke, R. (2025b, January 9). Helping children cope after a traumatic event. Child Mind
Institute. https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-after-a-traumatic-event/
The Mental Health Impact of Child Abuse. (n.d.).
https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/effects-child-abuse.
Helping children and adolescents cope with traumatic events. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental
Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/helping-children-and-
adolescents-cope-with-disasters-and-other-traumatic-events
