1 Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention Presented by Thomas Training Associates

2 Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect An Issue Facing All Communities: The National Scope of the Problem Handouts courtesy of: National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention

3 How is Child Abuse and Neglect Defined in Federal Law? (per U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) Federal legislation provides a foundation for States by identifying a minimum set of acts or behaviors that define child abuse and neglect. The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), (42 U.S.C.A. §5106g), as amended by the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003, defines child abuse and neglect as, at minimum: Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm. Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention Source:

4 Types of Abuse Neglect Physical Sexual Other Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention Source:

5 Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Symptoms Handout courtesy of: National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention

6 Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect Handout courtesy of: National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention

7 Ohio Revised Code – Duty to Report Child Abuse or Neglect Section of the Revised Code requires a list of mandated reporters who are acting in an official or professional capacity and who know or suspect that a child under the age of 18, or a child with mental retardation or a physical impairment who is under the age of 21, has suffered or faces a threat of suffering any physical or mental wound, injury, disability or condition of a nature that reasonably indicates abuse or neglect to immediately report the knowledge to the Public Children’s Services Agency, a municipal, a County Peace Officer in the county where the child resides or the county in which the abuse or neglect has occurred or is occurring. While immediately is not defined, immediately means “without delay,” “at once” and “right now.” Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention

8 Who Is Responsible to Report Child Abuse or Neglect? The professionals identified in Section (A)(1)( b) of the Revised Code are mandated to report a suspicion that a child is being abused or neglected. ■ Attorneys ■ Physicians, including hospital Interns and residents ■ Podiatrists ■ Audiologists ■ Licensed Psychologists ■ School Psychologists (licensed) ■ Children Services agency ■ School authorities administrator or employee (public/private) ■ School teachers ■ School employees ■ Professional counselors ■ Child day care center ■ Day camp or residential camp administrator or employee administrator/employee ■ Coroners ■ Social Workers ■ Dentists ■ Speech pathologists ■ Nurses ■ Practitioners in limited branch of medicine, per R.C ■ A superintendent of a county board ■ A board member or an employee of mental retardation and developmental of a county board of mental disabilities retardation and developmental disabilities ■ An investigative agent under contract ■ Agent of county Humane Society. with a county board of mental retardation or a developmental disability or an employee of the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities ■ Persons rendering spiritual treatment ■ Marriage and family therapist, through prayer in accordance with the including independent marriage tenants of a well recognized religion and family therapists ■ Certified childcare agency administrator ■ Other health care professional or employee Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention

9 How Do I Determine If A Report Is Necessary to the Children Services Agency? You should report any time you have reason to believe that a child under 18 years of age or any physically or mentally handicapped child under 21 years of age, has suffered any wound, injury, disability, or condition of such a nature as to indicate abuse or neglect. It is important to note that you need only suspect – have reason to believe – that abuse or neglect is occurring; physical proof or other forms of validation are not required. It is the responsibility of the Public Children’s Services Agency, through its investigation, to determine if abuse or neglect, is in fact, occurring. Section of the Revised Code places the duty to investigate allegations of abuse or neglect on the public children services agency. It is the responsibility of the Public Children’s Services Agency and/or law enforcement to investigate the allegation. Source: Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention

10 Role of the Children Services Agencies “The public children services agency shall investigate, within twenty-four hours, each report of known or suspected child abuse or child neglect and of a known or suspected threat of child abuse or child neglect that is referred to it under this section to determine the circumstances surrounding the injuries, abuse, or neglect or the threat of injury, abuse, or neglect, the cause of the injuries, abuse, neglect, or threat, and the person or persons responsible. The investigation shall be made in cooperation with the local law enforcement agency...” From OHIO REVISED CODE, TITLE XXI COURTS - PROBATE - JUVENILE CHAPTER 2151 JUVENILE COURT [§ ] § Duty to report child abuse or neglect; investigation and follow-up procedures. Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention

11 Confidentiality in Reporting “... a report made under this section is confidential. The information provided in a report made pursuant to this section and the name of the person who made the report shall not be released for use, and shall not be used, as evidence in any civil action or proceeding brought against the person who made the report. In a criminal proceeding, the report is admissible in evidence in accordance with the Rules of Evidence and is subject to discovery in accordance with the Rules of Criminal Procedure..” From OHIO REVISED CODE, TITLE XXI COURTS - PROBATE - JUVENILE CHAPTER 2151 JUVENILE COURT [§ ] § Duty to report child abuse or neglect; investigation and follow-up procedures. Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention

12 Coping with Stress: Parents What sort of advice can you give to parents to help them better cope with the pressures of parenting? Ohio Family and Children First Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention

13 Coping with Stress Supporting Families: Preventing Child Abuse Supporting Families: Preventing Child Abuse Child Maltreatment Fact sheet Child Maltreatment Fact sheet Handouts courtesy of: FRIENDS National Resource Center for CBFRS Programs and National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention

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