Indicators of Abuse & Mandated Reporting Arkansas Commission on Child Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence

Indicators of Physical Abuse PHYSICAL: Bruises or welts in unusual places or in patterns Bruises in various stages of healing Explanation of injury differs from parent explanation

Indicators of Physical Abuse BEHAVIORAL: Becomes frightened when other children cry Says the parents deserve to be hurt Is afraid of certain people

Indicators of Neglect PHYSICAL: Underweight Always hungry Not clean Inappropriately dressed Denied medical or dental care

Indicators of Neglect BEHAVIORAL: Begs or steals food Arrives early & leaves late Frequent, unexplained absences Overtired or listless

Indicators of Sexual Abuse PHYSICAL: Difficulty walking or sitting Wearing torn, stained or bloody underwear Injury to or discharge from genitals Pain during urination

Indicators of Sexual Abuse BEHAVIORAL Acts withdrawn or younger than age. Displays sexual behavior Tells you that she has secrets that she cannot tell. Tries to hurt himself Indicators of Sexual Abuse

What is a Mandated Reporter?

A person who, by profession, is mandated by law to report if they have “reasonable cause to suspect” that a child has been subjected to child maltreatment. He or she “shall immediately notify the child abuse hotline”.

How many of you are Mandated Reporters?

Mandated Reporters Any child care worker or foster care worker; A coroner; A day care center worker; A dentist or dental hygienist; A domestic abuse advocate; A domestic violence shelter employee or volunteer; An employee of or a person working under contract for the Division of Youth Services, of the Department of Human Services; An employee of a Child Advocacy Center;

Mandated Reporters… Any foster parent; A judge; A law enforcement official; A licensed nurse; Any medical personnel who may be engaged in the admission, examination, care, or treatment of persons; A mental health professional; An osteopath;

Mandated Reporters… A peace officer; A physician; A prosecuting attorney; A resident intern; A school counselor; A school official; A social worker; A surgeon; A teacher; A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program staff or volunteer; A juvenile intake or probation officer;

Mandated Reporters… Any clergyman, which includes minister, priest, rabbi, accredited Christian Science practitioner, or other similar functionary of a religious organization, or any person believed to be so by the person consulting him or her, except to the extent he or she has acquired knowledge of suspected maltreatment through communications required to be kept confidential pursuant to the religious discipline of the relevant denomination or faith, or he or she received the knowledge of the suspected maltreatment from the offender in the context of a statement of admission

Your turn to ask the questions… “What if someone sends a child to me with an allegation?” “What if my agency policy says I can’t report/have to be the one at the school to report/have to ask permission to report?”

Act 703 of 2007 “No school, Head Start Program, or day care facility shall prohibit, require permission, or require notification of any person before any employee or volunteer directly reports child maltreatment to the hotline.”

Educate them! –I’ll even do it for you… Hold their hand! –offer to sit with them while they call on speaker phone the first time. Scare them… –Yes, you read that correctly…

Protects Mandated Reporters who report in good faith from criminal and civil liabilities. This good faith is assumed under the law. Willfully FAILING to report is a class C misdemeanor. The Act establishes civil penalties for Mandated Reporters. The Child Maltreatment Act

Reporting Options By Phone: By Fax*: * Mandated reporters only. Must use Arkansas State Police official “Mandated Reporter’s Form” May only be reported by fax if it is non-emergency.

Working with Children Develop trust Allow the child to be heard Meet with the child separately Remember that you may be the only adult who has the chance to understand the child

When a Child Discloses Abuse DO consider your response before you are in a real situation. DO pay attention to your body language. DO know the reporting law. DO reassure the child that they did the right thing by telling you.

When a Child Discloses Abuse DO let the child know that it was brave to share something (no matter how minimal) about a difficult subject. DO document the actual words. DO call the Child Abuse Hotline.

When a Child Discloses Abuse DON’T try to conduct the investigation yourself. DON’T act shocked, horrified, scared, etc. DON’T share this information with others. DON’T try to talk a child out of what he/she is saying.

When a Child Discloses Abuse DON’T suggest to a child the he/she may have been abused. DON’T attempt to find out the details from the parent. DON’T stand over the child while he/she talks to you.

Sherry Williamson, M.P.A Arkansas Child Maltreatment Website: