Mandatory Reporting and You Understanding Mandatory Reporting and Recognizing Abuse and Neglect: Laws, Definitions, and Procedures

What is Mandatory Reporting ? Mandatory Reporting is the lawful requirement for certain professionals, caretakers and child care professionals to report suspected abuse or neglect to the authorities.

Who is a Mandatory Reporter? Teachers and school employees, doctors and nurses, social workers, probation officers, police officers, private care givers, anyone who provides full or part time child care for pay. Any person over 18 who has received training approved by VDSS to recognize abuse or neglect YOU ARE!

To Whom Do You Report? Virginia Department of Social Services Child Protective Services Division (CPS) Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 1(800) 552-7096 (Toll Free) 1(804) 786-8536 (Virginia) Reports are generally of suspicion of maltreatment. Proof is not required. It is the job of CPS to investigate and find proof or not.

What are you Reporting Child Abuse Child Neglect Abuse or Neglect toward a child by a person caring for that child. Parent, other family member, teacher, coach, caretaker, nanny, babysitter, etc.

Child Abuse/Neglect IS… Section 63.2-100 of the Code of Virginia defines an abused or neglected child as any child under 18 whose parent or other person responsible for the child’s care: Causes or threatens to cause a nonaccidental physical or mental injury Neglects or refuses to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, emotional nurturing or health care

Child Abuse/Neglect IS… Abandons the child Fails to develop adequate supervision in relation to the child’s age and development level Commits or allows to be committed any illegal sexual act upon a child including, incest, rape, fondling, indecent exposure, and prostitution or allows a child to be photographed in sexually explicit material Knowingly leaves child in care of a nonrelated adult who has been convicted of an offense against a minor

Situations Outside the Scope of Child Abuse/Neglect Education Neglect (handled by school system) Failure to provide immunizations and or preventative care Failure to use safety belts Non caretaker sexual abuse (handled by Police) Abuse that did not occur in VA* Poverty

Signs of Physical Abuse Physical Indicators Unexplained bruises on face, torso, thighs, buttocks Multiple injuries in various stages of healing Bruises or welts resembling instruments, belt, cord, etc. Injuries regularly appearing after absence Behavioral Indicators Reports injury by caretaker Uncomfortable with physical contact Complains of soreness Wears clothing inappropriate for season (Covers up in summer) Afraid to go home Behavior extremes (withdrawn, aggressive)

Signs of Physical Neglect Physical Indicators Consistent hunger, poor hygiene Unattended physical problems or medical needs Consistent lack of supervision Abandonment Behavioral Indicators Reports no caretaker at home Begs or steals food Constant fatigue, listlessness, or falling asleep in class Shunned by peers

Signs of Sexual Abuse Physical Indicators Behavioral Indicators STDs Pregnancy Difficulty walking or sitting Pain or itching in genital area Torn stained or bloody underclothing Bruises or bleeding in external genitalia Behavioral Indicators Reports sexual abuse Highly sexualized play Detailed age inappropriate understand of sexual behavior Role reversal, overly concerned for siblings Excessive seductiveness Sudden noticeable behavior change

Signs of Emotional Maltreatment Physical Indicators Speech disorders Delayed physical development Learning problems Behavioral Indicators Habit disorders (sucking, biting, rocking, in older child) Antisocial, destructive Passive and aggressive behavior extremes Appears to derive pleasure form hurting others or animals

Notes on Signs of Abuse & Neglect A combination or pattern of indicators should alert you to the possibility of maltreatment, abuse and/or neglect. Indicators should be considered together with the explanation provided, the child’s developmental and physical capabilities, and behavior changes. In other words: Take it case by case, children will exhibit different signs and no one definition or indicator will be the same in all children.

How YOU Will Report At the MCC we take the issue of child abuse and neglect very seriously. If you suspect a child in any of our programs has experienced child abuse or neglect, tell Ryan, Ashley, or Mike immediately. We will go through the reporting process together and see it through to the end.

Training Website http://www.dss.virginia.gov/family/cps/mandated_reporters/cws5691/index.html