What Should Happen When You Suspect Child Abuse? By MISD

Maybe it’s not really happening. How Prevalent Is Abuse? Maybe it’s not really happening.

National Statistics . Over 3 million reports of child abuse are made every year in the United States; however, those reports can include multiple children. In 2009, approximately 3.3 million child abuse reports and allegations were made involving an estimated 6 million children.

Daily Statistics- FATALITIES

Every Second Every 10 seconds a child is reported abused or neglected.

Texas Yearly- 2010 Child Population 6,584,709 264,342 initial intakes alleging abuse/neglect 1863 CPS Caseworkers - responsible for investigation 66,897 confirmed victims 280 child abuse/neglect related fatalities 288,075 Alleged Victims Children Removed 16,347

Abuse Facts 2003 Confirmed in Texas Physical Abuse: 36,606 Sexual abuse: 7,473 Abandonment: 420 Medical neglect: 2,371 Physical neglect: 7,198 Neglectful Supervision: 26, 398 Refusal to accept parental responsibility: 845 Emotional abuse: 1067

Total Physical Abuse 60 – 70% of abused children suffered bruises and welts. 15-20% incurred skeletal injury. 24 – 30% of the cases involved brain or neuromotor dysfunction.

Social Abuse 50% of runaway youth have been physically abused and an even greater percentage have been sexually abused. 60% of prostitutes have been sexually abused as children. 65% of prison inmates at the Ferguson Unit (TDC) were abused as children. 90% of convicted murderers were physically abused as children.

Emotional & Psychological 50% abused children have school related problems. 22% suffer learning disorders requiring special education. 60-80% of adult drug or alcohol abusers have a history of child abuse.

About 30% of abused and neglected children will later abuse other children, The estimated annual cost of child abuse and neglect in the United States for 2007 is $104 billion. Abused children are 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy. Abused teens are 3 times less likely to practice safe sex, putting them at greater risk for STDs.

What’s The Law? Anyone “having cause to believe that a child’s physical or mental health or welfare has or may be adversely. affected by abuse or neglect” must report the case to any state or local law enforcement agency and to CPS. The Texas Family Code 261.101 requires professionals to make a report within 48 hours of first suspecting abuse, neglect or exploitation of children.

What if I don’t? Failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect is punishable by imprisonment of up to 180 days and/or a fine of up to $1000.00. (Texas Family Code, Chapter 34)

Meet the First Response Team The Police Department and CPS will respond together to an allegation of abuse. The First Response Team (CPS and the Police investigator) may then come to your school. They will want to speak to the outcry witness and then to the child.

Handling the Outcry One of the most important phases of a child abuse investigation is when a child makes the first outcry. What occurs during the first interview with a child can dramatically impact the child’s ability and willingness to fully and truthfully disclose his or her experiences.

Clear Outcry When an outcry of physical or sexual abuse is made to a teacher, counselor, or principal, an attempt to gather further information or interview of the child should not be done. Once the principal has been notified, the outcry witness should immediately notify the First Response Team.

Other Behaviors If a child exhibits behavior or makes drawings of a sexual nature or that are not age appropriate, this could be a type of outcry. Further investigation is warranted. The child should not be punished or reprimanded for this type of outcry.

Unclear Outcry When an outcry of physical or sexual abuse is unclear to the teacher counselor, or principal, further questioning may be needed. Keep the question short, to the point, and open-ended. Leading or suggestive questions should be avoided.

Which way is the correct way to ask a question? “Did he/she touch you on your private parts?” “How did or where did he/she touch you?”

Always notify the principal!!! However, your responsibility is not relinquished after you tell the principal.

The outcry witness should go online to www.txabusehotline.org You will create an account as a first time user and then work through the online pages to report.

You may also call 1-800-252-5400. If you call, make sure you have 30 minutes to an hour to make a report.

Does Sexual Assault Happen In Midland? There are 487 registered sex offenders in Midland. www.familywatchdog.us Note that these are REGISTERED. These are only the one who have been caught…

What About The Family? Please DO NOT contact any family member prior to or after the notification to Child Protection Services. Law enforcement or Child Protective Services will notify the parents and advise them of the allegations.

Will Anyone Tell the Family Who Reported? The law requires that confidentiality of the reporter be maintained. Only a judge can determine that the reporter be revealed. However, a summary of allegations can be obtained and names could be on the report as a witness or collateral. But the person who reported will remain confidential.

Confidentiality Remember, when a child makes an outcry of abuse that outcry is confidential. The outcry should only be discussed with the persons directly involved in the investigation.

References www.preventchildabusetexas.org www.wacotrib.com www.mrccac.org www.familywatchdog.us