Child Abuse Identification, Prevention & Reporting Susan Nisbet, Consultant 2009 Training

2006 Child Abuse Statistics 862,276 Children in Oregon 862,276 Children in Oregon 12,043 Oregon children were victims of child abuse and neglect 12,043 Oregon children were victims of child abuse and neglect 17 died as a result of familial abuse or neglect 17 died as a result of familial abuse or neglect

Identification What is Child Abuse? ORS 419B.005 defines child abuse as: Assault Assault Mental Injury Mental Injury Child Selling Child Selling Threatened Harm Threatened Harm Rape Rape Sexual Abuse Sexual Abuse Sexual Exploitation Sexual Exploitation Neglect Neglect Exposure to Meth labs & controlled substances Exposure to Meth labs & controlled substances

Child Abuse Statistics 2006 Physical abuse28.6% Physical abuse28.6% Mental injury 8.9% Mental injury 8.9% Neglect & drug affected20.2% Neglect & drug affected20.2% Sexual abuse14.0% Sexual abuse14.0% Threat of harm 3.5% Threat of harm 3.5% (DHS 2006)

Identification What is Child Abuse? Any assault of a child and any physical injury to a child caused by other than accidental means, including any injury which appears to be at variance with the explanation. Any assault of a child and any physical injury to a child caused by other than accidental means, including any injury which appears to be at variance with the explanation. –Does the explanation match the injury? –Is there a pattern of injury? –What is the location of the injury?

Identification What is Child Abuse? Any mental injury of a child, which shall include only observable and substantial impairment of the child’s mental or psychological ability to function caused by mental cruelty. Any mental injury of a child, which shall include only observable and substantial impairment of the child’s mental or psychological ability to function caused by mental cruelty. –How do we recognize a harm to a child’s ability to think, reason, or have feelings? –What are symptoms at school?

Identification What is Child Abuse? Threatened harm, subjecting a child to substantial risk of harm to child’s health or welfare Threatened harm, subjecting a child to substantial risk of harm to child’s health or welfare –Living with a convicted sex offender –Living in serious domestic violence situations –Siblings to victims of death or serious injury Child selling Child selling

Identification What is Child Abuse? Negligent treatment or maltreatment, failure to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing or medical care that is likely to endanger the health or welfare Negligent treatment or maltreatment, failure to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing or medical care that is likely to endanger the health or welfare Permitting a person under 18 years of age to enter or remain in a place where Methamphetamine is being manufactured Permitting a person under 18 years of age to enter or remain in a place where Methamphetamine is being manufactured Unlawful exposure to a controlled substance – substantial risk of harm the child’s health or safety Unlawful exposure to a controlled substance – substantial risk of harm the child’s health or safety

Identification What is Child Abuse? Exposure to Meth labs & controlled substances is neglect Exposure to Meth labs & controlled substances is neglect video

Identification What is Child Abuse? Rape of a child, includes but is not limited to rape, sodomy, unlawful sexual penetration and incest Rape of a child, includes but is not limited to rape, sodomy, unlawful sexual penetration and incest Sexual abuse as defined in ORS 163 Sexual abuse as defined in ORS 163 Sexual exploitation, including use of children for pornography and prostitution Sexual exploitation, including use of children for pornography and prostitution

Identification Rape, Sexual Abuse & Sexual Exploitation –Sexual contact: fondling, intercourse, vaginal or anal penetration or oral/genital contact for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of either party –Sexual contact between an adult and a minor –Sexual contact between minors –Exposing children to pornography or using them for pornography –Having sex in front of children

Most sex offenders are strangers. True or False? Identification - Prevention

FALSE – Nearly all sex offenders are known to the child. They are relatives, family friends, coaches, pastors, teachers… Sex offenders intentionally live, work or volunteer where they have opportunities for regular contact with children.

Identifying Inappropriate Behavior “Grooming” behaviors may include: –Improper language, jokes, comments –Improper , letters, notes –Discussion of personal or sex life –Lack of physical boundaries –Flirting, inappropriate attention –Gifts –Overrides authority of parents or staff

Help Prevent Child Abuse Talk with your supervisor if you notice any inappropriate or questionable behavior. Talk with your supervisor if you notice any inappropriate or questionable behavior. Be open to the possibility that someone you know may have abused children. A co-worker, friend or family member. Be open to the possibility that someone you know may have abused children. A co-worker, friend or family member. Do not disregard rumors of sex abuse or child abuse. Do not disregard rumors of sex abuse or child abuse. Remember that children rarely lie about abuse. Remember that children rarely lie about abuse.

Identifying Appropriate Behavior Be aware of your own behavior and maintain appropriate boundaries with children Be aware of your own behavior and maintain appropriate boundaries with children Be a role model Be a role model If you are uncertain about your own behavior, seek advice from your supervisor If you are uncertain about your own behavior, seek advice from your supervisor When in doubt, err on the side of caution When in doubt, err on the side of caution

Identifying Inappropriate Behavior Examples of inappropriate behavior may include: Inviting or entertaining students in your home Inviting or entertaining students in your home Asking students to work for you outside of school Asking students to work for you outside of school Transporting students in your vehicle Transporting students in your vehicle Violating the personal space of, touching or making inappropriate comments to students Violating the personal space of, touching or making inappropriate comments to students Posting inappropriate material or communicating with students via the Internet Posting inappropriate material or communicating with students via the Internet

If a Child Discloses Abuse Remain calm Remain calm Emphasize that the child did the right thing by telling Emphasize that the child did the right thing by telling Stress that the child is not to blame Stress that the child is not to blame Report the abuse immediately to law enforcement or DHS Report the abuse immediately to law enforcement or DHS Do not question the child Do not question the child Do not contact the child’s parents Do not contact the child’s parents Do not notify the alleged abuser Do not notify the alleged abuser Avoid making promises you cannot keep Avoid making promises you cannot keep

REPORTING ABUSE

Mandatory Reporters Mandatory reporters are those people required by law to report child abuse. Mandatory reporters are those people required by law to report child abuse. All school employees are mandatory reporters. All school employees are mandatory reporters. Notifying your supervisor does not fulfill your reporting obligations. You must report to law enforcement or the Department of Human Services. Notifying your supervisor does not fulfill your reporting obligations. You must report to law enforcement or the Department of Human Services.

When To Report Abuse Report child abuse immediately. What does immediately mean? Report child abuse immediately. What does immediately mean? Example: If a child tells you in the morning that he/she is the victim of abuse… …do not wait until school is out to report your concern. …do not wait until you finished attending meetings, making phone calls, etc. …do make the report right away.

HOW TO REPORT Make a telephone call to the Department of Human Service – Child Protective Services and fax a copy of the District Child Abuse Reporting Form. Make a telephone call to the Department of Human Service – Child Protective Services and fax a copy of the District Child Abuse Reporting Form.OR Contact local law enforcement. Contact local law enforcement.

HOW TO REPORT Complete the District reporting form Complete the District reporting form Contact building Principal Contact building Principal Keep a copy for your records Keep a copy for your records Provide a copy to your Principal, Counselor & Superintendent Provide a copy to your Principal, Counselor & Superintendent

Why Should I Report? It is required by law and District Policy that you report. It is required by law and District Policy that you report. To protect the child you are concerned about as well as other possible victims. To protect the child you are concerned about as well as other possible victims.

What if I Don’t Report? Failure to report is a violation of the law. Failure to report is a violation of the law. Mandatory reporters have also been sued for damages in civil court for failing to report. Mandatory reporters have also been sued for damages in civil court for failing to report. You could be disciplined by the District and/or Teacher Standards & Practices Commission (TSPC). You could be disciplined by the District and/or Teacher Standards & Practices Commission (TSPC).

FAQ Reporting Abuse Q: As a mandatory reporter, am I only obligated to report concerns I have at work? Q: Can I be sued for a making a report? Q: After I report, will my name be made public? Q: What if the abuse happened a long time ago? Q: Why should I report this time? They never do anything when I call to report suspected child abuse.

Self Care Reporting child abuse is stressful. Remember to take care of yourself during the process. Consider consulting with your supervisor or healthcare provider to process your experience.

For More Information Department of Human Services – Child Protective Services Teacher Standards & Practices Commission ORS & ORS Chapter 419B The Center for Missing & Exploited Children The Status of Children in Oregon’s Child Protection System