CDA II: Welcome & Child Abuse & Neglect Sharon Hirschy, CCCC

Let’s Go Over Syllabus Get-Acquainted Group Discussion: What are my questions and concerns about handling child abuse?

Statistics on Abuse A. In 2002, more than one quarter of all child abuse and neglect victims were age 3 or younger (28.1%); slightly more than half (51.9%) were 7 or younger. More than four-fifths (80.0%) were abused or neglected by their parents, including birthparents, adoptive parents, and stepparents. Fathers more than mothers commit abuse. Evidence suggests that school-aged children may be abused more often but younger children are at greatest risk because they cannot protect themselves or readily seek assistance. Daily 4 children die from abuse. Based on the data from 44 States, 80 percent of perpetrators of child maltreatment were parents; 2 percent of perpetrators were caretakers; 10 percent were other relatives of the victim. About 5 percent of all perpetrators were noncaretakers

In 2002, state and local CPS agencies received an estimated 2.6 million reports of abuse and neglect for 4.5 million children because family members, professionals, or other citizens were concerned about the safety and well- being of children. (Child Maltreatment 2002: Reports from the States to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data Systems.) An estimated 896,000 of these reports were substantiated. That is, after follow-up and investigation, officials found reason to believe abuse and neglect had occurred or that the children continued to be at risk of further harm. CWLAChild Maltreatment 2002: Reports from the States to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data Systems

In 2002, abused and neglected children endured the following forms of maltreatment: 60.5% were neglected (basic physical needs were not being met) 18.6% were physically abused 9.9% were sexually abused 6.5% suffered from emotional abuse and other forms of maltreatment 18.9% experienced such other types of maltreatment as abandonment, threats of harm to the child, and congenital drug addiction. These percentages total more than 100% because many children were victims of more than one type of maltreatment and were coded multiple times. CWLA

Abused and Neglected Children Age Group Rate per 1,000 Children % % % % %

Shaken Baby Syndrome Shaken baby syndrome is caused by: Shaking babies and toddlers Throwing them in the air repeatedly Swinging them hard and repeatedly such as round and round

Shaken Baby Syndrome Injury to the brain of an infant or toddler (children under 3 and usually under 18 months) caused by severe shaking of the child by the legs, arms or shoulders. The brain tissue can tear, bleeding can occur in the back of the eye, the retina can detach from the eye, blood can collect between the skull and the brain. Children can suffer fractures and internal injuries. All of these can lead to mental retardation, blindness, coma, and death.

Symptoms of Shaken Baby Syndrome Breathing difficulties The child will not arouse from sleep Seizures or convulsions Irritability, pain Glassy-eyed look, blood in the eye, or fixed pupils Vomiting or choking Swelling of head

What is Child Abuse? Handout! It is the inflicting of harm on a child. Physical Abuse: Inflicting bodily injury on a child. Sexual abuse: Using a child in or exposing him to sexual activities, with or without his consent. Emotional abuse: Requiring a child to do more than he is able, criticizing, humiliating the child, screaming and yelling at a child continually. Neglect: Failure to provide adequate medical care, food, shelter, or clothing, supervision, education and guidance, love and affection.

Neglect Neglect: Failure to provide adequate medical care, food, shelter, or clothing, supervision, education and guidance, love and affection. In comparison to children who experienced physical abuse, children who were neglected were 46 percent more likely to experience recurrence. Sometimes it is culturally defined: How old should children be before left alone? studies of children in orphanages who lacked emotional contact, and a large number of animal deprivation and enrichment studies point to the need for children and young nonhuman mammals to have both stable emotional attachments with and touch from primary adult caregivers. If these connections are lacking, brain development both of caring behavior and cognitive capacities is damaged in a lasting fashion.

Why is Child Abuse Committed Lack of knowledge about children, parenting, guidance Unrealistic expectations of children Social Isolation Unmet emotional needs Poor childhood experiences Crises Drug or alcohol problems Emotional Instability/Personality disturbances

How do you stop abuse? Education Counseling Assistance with employment Teach decision-making, stress-coping skills Provide a support system Poor prognosis: Psychosis Battered Baby Syndrome Character Disorders: Sociopath

Child Abuse Scenarios You see a Dad continually tossing his 4 month old in the air. The baby looks frightened and is turning blue. What do you do? A 4 year old cries when you touch him and upon examining his back you find multiple bruises. He appear to have burns on his arms, and is crying You have a baby that has screamed for four hours. She is teething and nothing you do seems to help. You have 3 other children who are demanding your attention and you feel so frustrated. You pick up the baby and wonder if you just shook her, if she would get quiet. What should you do? You care for a 12 month old that seems to come back from home every Monday with new bruises on back, legs, buttocks, and arms. The parent says that he is learning to walk and is always falling. A 2 year old is scared to death to go into the bathroom, and seems afraid of any man. You have a 1 year old toddler that loves to be swung around and around. Mom often does it until they are both dizzy. What should you do?