Protecting Self from Intentional Injuries - PE and Health 9 Notes

Core Definitions and Vocabulary Concepts

  • Violence: The intentional use of force or power against oneself, another person, or a group that can result in harm, injury, or death. It can manifest in various forms including physical, verbal, emotional, or sexual. Violence often occurs in contexts involving anger, conflict, or the abuse of power.

  • Self-Harm: The act of deliberately causing injury to one’s own body. It serves as a way of coping with emotional pain, stress, or overwhelming feelings. Common behaviors include cutting, burning, or hitting oneself. It is frequently a sign that the individual requires support and professional help.

  • Coping Skills: Strategies or techniques utilized to handle stress, emotions, and difficult situations in a healthy manner. These skills help individuals manage reactions, solve problems, and maintain mental and emotional well-being. Examples include talking to someone, exercising, or practicing relaxation.

  • Resiliency: The ability to recover, adapt, and remain strong when facing challenges, stress, or adversity. It involves the development of a positive mindset, learning from past experiences, and continuing to move forward despite significant difficulties.

Classifying Injuries: Intentional vs. Unintentional

Injuries are categorized based on the intent behind the action.

  • Unintentional Injuries: Injuries that occur without any intent to cause harm. Examples provided include:

    • Vehicular Accidents

    • Drowning

    • Burns (can be both intentional and unintentional depending on context)

    • Suffocation (often classified as unintentional)

  • Intentional Injuries: Injuries resulting from purposeful human action, directed at oneself or others. Examples provided include:

    • Suffocation (noted as intentional in certain contexts)

    • Extortion

    • Bullying

    • Burns (when inflicted purposefully)

    • Drowning (when inflicted purposefully)

Examining Risks and Protective Factors

Protective factors are conditions or characteristics that reduce risks and promote the healthy development and well-being of children, youth, and families. They act as positive countermeasures that help build resilience, develop skills and character, and advocate for social relationships that lessen risk exposure.

  • Goal of Prevention: Stopping violence before it begins requires an extensive understanding of underlying factors that influence violent behavior.

  • The Five Primary Protective Factors:

    • Resilience: The ability to manage and find a solution to every situation an individual may encounter.

    • Social Connection: Having friends, family, and community members who provide emotional and proper support to the child or victim.

    • Social-Emotional Competence: The ability of the child or victim to positively interact with others and express their feelings effectively.

    • Concrete Support in Times of Need: Ensuring the individual knows specifically when, where, and to whom they can turn for support when a crisis arises.

    • Knowledge of One’s Rights: Having accurate information regarding legal rights and obligations to maintain one's ground in difficult situations.

Protective Factors for Specific Threats

Gang and Youth Violence, Illegal Fraternity, and Extortion

  • Parental involvement and monitoring.

  • Family support.

  • Coping skills (specifically interpersonal skills).

  • Positive social connections and peer support.

  • Academic achievement.

  • Reducing delinquency, alcohol, and drug use.

Sexual Abuse

  • Parental use of reasoning to resolve family conflict.

  • Emotional health and connectedness.

  • Academic achievement.

  • Empathy and concern for how one's actions affect others.

Kidnapping and Abduction

  • High friendship quality.

  • Social support (tangible help and support from neighbors).

  • Coordination of resources and services among community agencies.

  • Neighborhood collective efficacy.

Legal Framework and Child Rights

International Standards

  • Article 19: UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989): State Parties must take all legislative, administrative, social, and educational measures to protect children from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury, abuse, neglect, maltreatment, or exploitation (including sexual abuse) while in the care of parents, legal guardians, or any other person.

Philippine National Laws and Policies

  • RA 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act): Provides protection against all forms of abuse, exploitation, and discrimination. It provides sanctions for trafficking, child prostitution, and other forms of sexual abuse.

  • RA 9208 (Anti-trafficking in Persons Act): Aims to eliminate and punish human trafficking, specifically of women and children, and establishes support mechanisms for trafficked persons.

  • RA 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act): Recognizes the need to protect the family and its members from violence and threats to personal safety.

  • RA 9344 (Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act): Covers the stages involving children at risk and children in conflict with the law, focusing on prevention, rehabilitation, and reintegration.

  • RA 8353 (The Anti-Rape Law): Expanded the definition of rape and reclassified it from a crime against chastity to a crime against the person.

  • RA 9775 (The Anti-Child Pornography Law): Aims to combat child pornography.

  • RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012): Defines cybercrime and provides for the prevention, investigation, and suppression of illegal acts committed via the internet.

  • RA 10627 (Anti-Bullying Act of 2013): Requires all elementary and secondary schools to adopt policies to prevent and address bullying within their institutions.

Individual Safety Strategies

Actions Following Injury or Assault

  • Acquire medical care immediately if injured or sexually assaulted.

  • Identify assistance in the neighborhood and contact local agencies.

  • Look for a safer place and create a safety plan to depart.

  • Secure evidence of abuse, including pictures of injuries or threatening messages.

  • Speak to a confidante (friend, family, or spiritual adviser).

  • Consider obtaining a restraining order for protection.

Positive Problem-Solving Strategies

  • Be careful and study your actions.

  • Make a plan of action.

  • View the problem as a challenge.

  • Be creative in finding solutions.

  • Generate multiple different solutions to the problem.

Support-Seeking Strategies

  • Talk to a friend about how to address the situation.

  • Ask advice from responsible family members or relatives.

  • Talk to others to find out more about the root of the problem.

  • Look for someone who will sympathize.

  • Seek help from qualified professionals.

Positive-Reframing and Self-Talk

Self-talk is a coping skill used to change thoughts during stress or challenges.

Preparing for a Stressful Situation

  • "I know I can do it."

  • "It’s easier once I get started."

  • "What exactly do I have to do?"

  • "Tomorrow I will be through it."

  • "I have succeeded with this before."

  • "I won’t entertain negative thoughts."

Facing the Challenge/Problem

  • "I can do this."

  • "I can only do my best."

  • "I can ask somebody for help."

  • "If I get nervous, I’ll take a deep breath."

  • "If I feel tense, I’ll do my coping exercise."

  • "It’s OK to make mistakes; no one is perfect."

  • "I won’t rush. I will take it slowly step by step."

Coping with Fear

  • "I’ll survive this."

  • "Take a deep breath."

  • "Lord/Allah, help me!"

  • "I can always call someone."

  • "Relax! It will end."

Self-Congratulations and Affirmation

  • "I did it!"

  • "I did it well!"

  • "Next time, I don’t have to worry much."

  • "I’ve got to tell this to [someone]."

  • Affirmation: "I start the day with a peaceful thought."

  • Affirmation: "Every day in every way I grow stronger and stronger."

Socio-Emotional Skills and Warning Signs

Importance of Strong Socio-Emotional Skills

  • Making and keeping friendships.

  • Gaining personal confidence.

  • Resolving conflicts and managing stress/anxiety.

  • Learning social norms and making appropriate decisions.

  • Resisting negative social pressure.

  • Recognizing one's own strengths and weaknesses.

  • Developing awareness of others' feelings.

Recognizing Signs of Self-Harm

  • Physical Signs: Cutting, bruising, burning, hitting, and scratching.

  • Causes of Self-Harm: Distracting self from emotions, self-punishment, producing physical pain to counter emotional numbness, and creating a sense of control.

  • Indirect/Less Direct Signs:

    • Wearing long sleeves or pants in hot weather.

    • Regular nervous scratching or picking at the skin.

    • Social withdrawal or isolation.

    • Keeping sharp objects or lighters on hand.

    • Expressing worthlessness or despair.

    • Unexplained wounds on wrists, arms, thighs, or torso attributed to "accidents."

    • Blood stains on clothing, bedding, or tissues.

    • Avoiding situations that reveal skin (e.g., swimming, locker rooms).

Professional Support Systems

Professionals

  • Psychologists and Psychiatrists

  • Guidance Counselors

  • School or Community Social Workers

  • Medical Doctors and Mental Health Nurses

  • Crisis Hotline Responders

Institutions and Support Groups

  • Mental Health Hospitals and Clinics

  • Community Mental Health Centers

  • School Guidance and Counseling Offices

  • Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) focused on mental health

  • Peer support groups and recovery support communities