About Us
Hidden Harm
EPAO is a politically and religiously independent specialist and advisory centre for questions relating to emotional and psychological abuse of children.
Unlike sexual + physical abuse, EPA is vastly unknown in its devastating impact on children.
This is mostly evident when parents are in custody disputes and children suffer sometimes severe psych abuse over years.
The legal system often fails to protect these children.
But EPA can also occur in so-called healthy families -> emotional blackmailing, emotional neglect, exaggerated control, exposure to violence, psych. manipulation, etc. are just a couple of forms which happen on a daily basis behind closed doors.
Children who are exposed to such harm can show significant symptoms which are not different to sexual or physical abuse.
(Sometimes the damage can last life-long and is passed on one's own children).
Our organization had set itself the goal of breaking this vicious circle.
This is mostly evident when parents are in custody disputes and children suffer sometimes severe psych abuse over years.
The legal system often fails to protect these children.
But EPA can also occur in so-called healthy families -> emotional blackmailing, emotional neglect, exaggerated control, exposure to violence, psych. manipulation, etc. are just a couple of forms which happen on a daily basis behind closed doors.
Children who are exposed to such harm can show significant symptoms which are not different to sexual or physical abuse.
(Sometimes the damage can last life-long and is passed on one's own children).
Our organization had set itself the goal of breaking this vicious circle.
Integrity • Expertise • Impartiality
We work on three different levels
Our organization is determined to help parents to raise their children in a safe and healthy way.
1. Raising public awareness
- •What is EPA: different forms – impact on children.
- •How to detect symptoms of EPA on a child.
- •Measures to help.
- •Positive parenting and how EPA can be prevented.
(Open lectures, articles, counseling, support groups, etc.)
2. Educate professionals
- •Psych. counselors, therapists, social workers, mediators, lawyers, teachers.
- •Moreover, in case of EPA suspect, working with parents + children in this context.
Workshop, lectures, supervision.
3. Changing the Legal system
- •Educating lawyers + judges, court psychologists, etc. about EPA.
- •Suggesting child-protecting measures to courts (in case of custody disputes).
- •Applications for child protection that are enshrined in the legal system.
Legal advocacy and systemic protection measures.