FBI outlines 4 key steps for talking to kids about trauma, crisis

FBI outlines 4 key steps for talking to kids about trauma, crisis


How about a child’s question – like “Where’s mom?” – in view of a crime Studies show that responding to a traumatic event can either help the child deal with it, or result in a violent, disappointing adulthood.

According to one, “The child may view the event as a serious threat to his or her safety and will usually experience high levels of fear or helplessness.” National Institute of Justice (NIJ) report Published in April 2021.

“Trauma experienced during childhood can result in deep and long-lasting negative effects that can extend into adulthood. There can be direct effects be a psychologistBehavioral, social, and even biological.”

This requires a very delicate approach by law enforcement in a way that explains the truth to children while letting them know that they are not alone. FBI Said on Monday.

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Inside the FBI command post to protect NYC during Times Square’s New Year’s festivities, which involves dozens of law enforcement agencies. (FBI)

It’s one of several topics discussed by the bureau as part of National Crime Victims Rights Week, which focuses on training agents about how to talk to families who have lost a loved one in a traumatic incident.

This includes incidents ranging from natural disasters to car accidents, as well as crimes recently in florida The homicide, where the 10 and 17 year olds watched their father fatally shoot their mother, Jamie Felix.

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mother holding daughter

The FBI said that children “rely on caregivers for emotional and physical safety and care” in times of crisis. (iStock)

“Children have less experience and internal resources in times of crisis,” the FBI said. “They rely on caregivers for emotional and physical safety and care. Sudden and painful death interferes with the child’s sense of control and security in the world.”

Internal trauma can quickly lead to a physical reaction, such as absenteeism from classes, poor school performance, and violence into adulthood, the NIJ reports.

The report notes that these effects are associated with long-term consequences, including increased risk of further victimization, adult criminality, substance abuse, depression, and chronic diseases.

Florida teacher Jamie Felix murdered

Jamie Felix was a Florida teacher who was murdered in front of her children on March 29. (Dignity Memorial Obituary; Facebook)

The 2021 NIJ report, which combined seven studies, concluded, “All of these findings underscore the importance of preventing child maltreatment and addressing children’s exposure to violence as victims or witnesses.”

“One conclusion that can be drawn from the many studies is the need for coordination across all sectors, including the justice system, to implement effective strategies to reduce the harm caused by childhood trauma and its links to There will be, but not limited to, the involvement of the justice system,” the report says.

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Many of the themes and findings appear to be covered in resources and information released by the FBI this week, one of several areas of trauma notification training that includes updated videos, a phone app, and countless resources.

Here are four steps outlined by the FBI, along with important factors to keep in mind when talking to children about traumatic events that happened in their family. (The complete FBI pamphlet with resources is included below.)

FBI Director Christopher Wray

FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks during a news conference in Omaha, Nebraska on August 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Charlie Niebergal, File)

Step One: Provide Trauma Information in a Private Space

According to the FBI, people who have to break traumatic news to a child should talk to the child alone in a quiet room, with a parent or close caregiver recommended.

“If a caregiver is unable to provide notification, identify an adult who is familiar, close, and supportive,” the FBI says. “This ensures that notification is done in a culturally appropriate, spiritually sensitive manner.”

It is important that this conversation takes place away from the eyes and ears of adults, or even a crowd of older children, who can “overwhelm” a child.

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And a child’s age at delivery is very important because of how developed their brain is.

Preschool-age children “mostly see death as temporary, reversible, and impersonal,” at ages 5 to 9 “begin to see that all living things eventually die, and death is final,” and 9 In adolescence, they “understand that death is irreversible” while, according to the FBI, they are coming to grips with their own mortality.

Common stages of how children of different ages understand and process death, according to the FBI

Normal stages of how children of different ages deal with and understand death, according to the FBI. (FBI)

Federal Bureau of Investigation agents passing through the crime scene

The FBI offers tips about how to talk to children about trauma. (Getty Images)

Step Two: Be Honest

Where a loved one dies, there will be sadness. There is no way around it.

“When children are not told the truth, they often become confused about what happened,” the FBI says.

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The FBI said, for example: “Your sister Melissa has died. Her body has stopped working. She can no longer run, walk, eat, sleep, or go to the bathroom.” He doesn’t feel any pain.”

The FBI said it is important to be honest with children who have had traumatic experiences and explain death in terms of the cessation of bodily functions.

The FBI said it is important to be honest with children who have had traumatic experiences and explain death in terms of the cessation of bodily functions. (FBI)

Step Three: Delivery

This leads directly to step three, which explains how to talk to children in these situations.

A slow voice is the best approach and keep the language age appropriate. According to the FBI, a teen-ager can process more than younger children, who will be overwhelmed by too much information.

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Also, consider siblings, who often share with each other how they are feeling and what is going on.

Be prepared for a variety of emotional reactions, which may be immediate or delayed.

An FBI agent uses a gun in action

The FBI said it’s important to consider how to talk to children about trauma. (iStock)

Step Four: Follow Up

The matter ended here. Children of all ages should be allowed to absorb the information. Some, especially as they get older, will probably think about it more than younger children.

According to the FBI, as the news unfolds, they will have questions and ask adults and caregivers about how to grieve.

“Be available to answer questions,” the FBI stressed, while attempting to get the child back into a normal routine if possible. “Affirm the child’s emotional response and let them know they can expect to feel a variety of emotions over time.”

And don’t be surprised if the caregiver has to repeat details or even the entire process, especially when dealing with young children.

Complete FBI Steps and Resources

Bonus Tip: Limit/Avoid Social Media and News Coverage

A final advice is to limit or eliminate social media and news media coverage of a particular case.

when 7 years old harmony montgomery After she disappeared from her biological father’s home in New Hampshire, the story made national headlines, but was even more prevalent in local news. Her father, Adam Montgomery, was convicted of her murder in February.

She was separated from her younger biological brother, Jamison, in the foster care system, where their bond was described as “inseparable”.

Harmony Montgomery and her younger brother Jamison went missing from a foster home more than two years ago.

Harmony Montgomery and her younger brother Jamison went missing from a foster home more than two years ago. (Courtesy: Johnathon Bobbitt-Miller)

Jamison was adopted by a loving couple – Blair Miller and Johnathon Bobbitt-Miller – who in previous interviews told Fox News Digital how they talked to Jamison about Harmony and kept her away from news coverage.

Blair said Jamison would often ask, “Where’s Harmony,” and that she felt her older sister “coming home” with every doorbell ring.

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The kind parents explained roughly what they could do, essentially following in the FBI’s steps, and said they would explain more to Jamison as he grew up and asked questions.

Even after the incident came to light, they celebrated Harmony’s birthday and acknowledged the feelings of Jamison, who was 5 years old when the horror unfolded.


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