Violence Against Children: Bullying, Child Abuse and Human Trafficking A Safety and Violence Prevention Curriculum Module Four

Bullying Defined Bullying occurs when a child is: Exposed repeatedly to aggressive actions on the part of one or more persons; The child has a difficult time defending him/herself, due to an unequal distribution of power (physical, social or relational). 2

Bullying Defined Bullying can be: Direct and physical (hitting, pushing, spitting) Indirect or social (name-calling and rumors) Relational (using relationships to control) Conducted in cyberspace

Myth or Fact? A. About 10 percent of youth are involved in bullying as: The person who exhibits bullying behavior The person who is bullied A witness to bullying B. Girls usually do not bully C. Bullying is part of childhood; kids will get over it D. Students do not care about bullying and violence at school E. Kids who witness bullying generally ignore it

Bullying and Violence

Bullying and Violence Consequences of bullying include suicide, homicide, depression and self-destructive behaviors. Bullying can take place between individual students or between groups of students. Consequences of bullying include suicide, homicide, depression and self-destructive behaviors. Bullying can take place between individual students or between groups of students.

Bullying and Violence Cyberbullying from a classmate or a stranger can occur anytime there is access to cell phones or the Internet Cyberbullying from a classmate or a stranger can occur anytime there is access to cell phones or the Internet

Bullying and Violence Violence can occur both at school and in the community. It may be due to: Cliques Gang activity Mental or emotional disturbances Social isolation What are some of the violence issues that our school and community face? Violence can occur both at school and in the community. It may be due to: Cliques Gang activity Mental or emotional disturbances Social isolation What are some of the violence issues that our school and community face?

Indicators of Bullying Avoiding certain situations, people or places, such as pretending to be sick so the child does not have to go to school Behavior changing, e.g., being withdrawn and passive, being overly active and aggressive, or being self-destructive Frequent crying or feeling sad Signs of low self-esteem Being unwilling to speak or showing signs of fear when asked about certain situations, people or places   Avoiding certain situations, people or places, such as pretending to be sick so the child does not have to go to school Behavior changing, e.g., being withdrawn and passive, being overly active and aggressive, or being self-destructive Frequent crying or feeling sad Signs of low self-esteem Being unwilling to speak or showing signs of fear when asked about certain situations, people or places   Having signs of injuries Suddenly receiving lower grades or showing signs of learning problems Having recurrent, unexplained physical symptoms such as stomach pains and fatigue (National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center)

Warning Signs of Violence

Aggressive Behavior Past violent or aggressive behavior Bullying or intimidating peers or younger children Past violent or aggressive behavior (including uncontrollable angry outbursts) Bullying or intimidating peers or younger children Showing cruelty to animals Fire-setting Having access to, or owning a collection of weapons Repeating themes of death or depression in conversation Showing preoccupation with violence in TV shows, movies, music, magazines, comics, books, video games and Internet sites Source: National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center

Exposure to Aggression and Violence Witnessing abuse or violence in the home Being a target of abuse or neglect (physical, sexual or emotional) Source: National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center

How Should You Respond? Identify and name bullying behavior among students– don’t be a bystander! Talk with the student who was being bullied and assure him or her that you care and want to help. Refer the student who bullied to an administrator (per school policy)  follow-up with school counselor or social worker about intervention for the student who bullied. Refer the targeted student to the school counselor or social worker for follow-up.

Bullying is not a mediation issue Bullying is not a mediation issue. You should not try to mediate bullying.

Child Maltreatment Types of abuse: Neglect (of physical, emotional and/or educational needs) Verbal and emotional (name-calling or disparaging remarks) Physical (actions going beyond normally accepted discipline parameters) Sexual (involving sexual gratification)

Physical Abuse: Prevalence 3.6 million children were accepted by state and local CPS for investigation or assessment as alleged subjects of child maltreatment. A third of these cases were confirmed. Nationwide in 2005, an estimated 3,598,000 (3.6 million) children were accepted by state and local CPS for investigation or assessment as alleged subjects of child maltreatment. A third of these cases were confirmed. In 2005, Ohio was rated 12th highest among U.S. states in child maltreatment, with 15.4 children of every 1,000 children being victims. People who had been abused or neglected in childhood were 59% more likely to be arrested as juveniles, 30% more likely to commit violent crimes, and 28% more likely to be arrested as adults.

Physical Abuse: Affective and Behavioral Problems Those who blame themselves (internalize) may experience: Hopelessness Depression Low self-esteem Those who blame others (externalize) may be: Aggressive Combative Noncompliant Defiant

Sexual Abuse Sexual abuse includes both contact and non-contact behaviors: Non-contact: exhibitionism, showing pornography to children Contact: kissing, fondling, intercourse

Sexual Abuse Prevalence Approximately 16% to 20% of female children and 8% to 12% of male children are sexually abused each year. Girls are more likely to be abused than boys. More than 80% of child sexual abuse occurs between people who know each other; perpetrated by a family member or trusted family friend.

Development and Communication Understanding: Students’ developmental levels Their inability to verbalize what happened or who the abuser is Sometimes children are not believed How educators can assist

Sexual Abuse: Affective and Behavioral Problems Psychological consequences: Anxiety reactions: nightmares, guilt, anger, hostility Depression: low self-esteem, suicidal ideation, social withdrawal, self-injurious behavior Eating disorders Immaturity Hyperactivity Substance abuse

Sexual Abuse: Psychosocial Indicators Greater awareness of sexuality than would be expected for the child’s developmental age Excessive masturbation or inappropriate sex play with peers Promiscuous behavior Sex trafficking of children See federal law at http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/federal.htm (18USC1591)

Reporting Child Abuse Ohio’s educators are mandated reporters of child abuse. You must report knowledge OR suspicion. Ohio Revised Code § 2151.421(A)(1)(a) No mandated reporter shall fail to immediately report the knowledge or suspicion of abuse or neglect of a child to the public children's services agency or a municipal or county peace officer in which the child resides or in which the abuse or neglect is occurring or has occurred. (http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2151.421)

Reporting Child Abuse Follow local policies: What are your school, district and county policies on reporting child abuse? Making the report: Ask the child protective worker to recite back to you what he or she has recorded, so that you can clarify and confirm. Child protective services are responsible for the investigation process. Document in writing your interaction with the child and with child protective services.

Student Follow-Up and In-School Assistance You may also be working with students who are not currently targets of violence, but who have been in the past. These students may need assistance with social skills, appropriate relationships with others, concentration, anxiety and depression. There are resources in your school district to help students who need assistance or intervention.

Human Trafficking Definition Human trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act, in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion and the person forced to perform such an act is under the age of 18 years.

Human Trafficking Scope of the Problem All 50 states have reported cases of human trafficking 200,000 people have been trafficked in the U.S. with an estimated 100,000 children involved in sex trafficking. In Ohio 50 cases have been reported in past 9 years with 1,078 U.S. born Ohio youth sex trafficked in 2011.

Human Trafficking Scope of the Problem The work or services may include anything from bonded or forced labor to commercialized sexual exploitation. Studies suggest that up to 90% of runaway youth become involved in the commercial sex industry. There are currently about 700 to 800 active missing children cases in Ohio, and about 90% are runaways. On average, there are 19,000 to 20,000 missing children reports per year in Ohio, with about 90% as runaways. (Missing Persons Unit, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation)

Human Trafficking Components of the Business – The Seller In the business of human trafficking there is the seller, the buyer and the product or victim. The sellers or trafficker are men and women from all walks of life. The seller could be an individual or an organized criminal syndicate that has predatory romantic involvement with the victim. The seller offers seemingly legitimate work opportunities for food, housing, clothes, and drugs in exchange for sex.

Human Trafficking Components of the Business – The Buyer The buyers or Johns also come from all walks of life. The buyers feel as if they own the victim they purchase and subject them to painful, abusive fantasies. The buyers and sellers drive the sex trade and profit from the demand for commercial sex.

Human Trafficking Components of the Business – The Victim The victim has typically run away or is homeless. Most minor victims “willingly” go with their trafficker or seller. Many minor victims do not think they are a victim and learn not to trust social services, law enforcement, etc. Online solicitation is increasing with the use of social media and commercial sex websites.

Human Trafficking Components of the Business – The Victim The average age that a person first enters into the commercial sex industry is 12-14. Victims of human trafficking are not permitted to leave upon arrival at their destination. They are held against their will through acts of coercion and forced to work or provide services to the trafficker or others.

Human Trafficking Factors associated with human trafficking of minors are: Presence of pre-existing adult prostitution markets in communities where large numbers of street youth are concentrated. Prior history of child sexual abuse and child sexual assault. Large numbers of unattached and transient males including military personnel, truckers, and conventioneers.

Human Trafficking Factors associated with human trafficking of minors are: Membership in gangs, runaways and homeless youth Recruitment by organized crime groups. Possesses large amounts of cash and hotel room keys. Has unexplained school absences and is unable to attend school regularly.

Human Trafficking Factors associated with human trafficking of minors are: looks like a minor, while claiming to be adult has indicators of being “branded” (e.g., having a tattoo). lies about her/his age and/or possesses false identification tells life stories with inconsistencies has little knowledge of his/her community or where he/she is

Human Trafficking Factors associated with human trafficking of minors are: Minor is involved with abusive or controlling partner/”boyfriend” Minor has signs of physical abuse and/or injury Minor appears to be engaging in scripted communication Minor has fearful or anxious demeanor

Human Trafficking Factors associated with human trafficking of minors are: Minor appears hungry and/or malnourished Minor wears clothing that is not appropriate based on season or weather Minor appears addicted to drugs Minor shows shift in behavior, dress, or belongings, such as sudden possession of expensive items

Human Trafficking Factors associated with human trafficking of minors are: Minor has unexplained school absences; unable to attend school regularly often runs away talks about traveling to other locations shows signs of physical abuse Is withdrawn, fearful, and/or depressed.

Human Trafficking Factors associated with human trafficking of minors are: does not have control over his/her own schedule does not have control over his/her ID forms Minor talks about sexual activities that exceed age-group norms Minor is involved with “boyfriend” who is 10 or more years older than potential victim

Human Trafficking Solutions Parents, educators and community members should model healthy relationships and create environments that counter risk factors. To prevent minors from participating in human trafficking, educators can draw on local violence prevention agencies to access effective prevention programs and best practices.

Human Trafficking Solutions Adults can contact their local coalition or violence prevention organization to have a speaker talk with students about avoiding the exploitation and violence against minors. To intervene and report human trafficking of minors, adults can contact their local law enforcement, county children services, local Rescue & Restore Coalition and the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888. Call 911 (if in immediate danger).

Human Trafficking Resources Ohio Human Trafficking Commission: http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/HumanTrafficking Ohio Department of Education www.education.ohio.gov and search keywords Human Trafficking

The Big Picture: School Climate Effective school safety programs build a school-wide foundation for all children. This involves: Supporting positive discipline, academic success and mental and emotional wellness through a caring school environment; Teaching students appropriate behaviors and problem solving skills; Providing positive behavioral support; Delivering appropriate academic instruction with engaging curricula and effective teaching practices; and Training staff to recognize early warning signs and make appropriate referrals. (U.S. departments of Education and Justice and the American Institutes for Research)

Module One, Page A Safety and Violence Prevention Curriculum What Can You Do? IDENTIFY students who are experiencing barriers to learning. REACH OUT: Tell them you care and want to help. REFER students to in-school staff or community resources. Nonacademic barriers to learning in this module: Depression and suicide Alcohol and drug use, abuse and addiction Violence against children

For More Information education.ohio.gov

Click on the link below to access the Google Drive Survey for this final module. Once again you will be prompted to sign into you account. https://docs.google.com/a/elginschools.org/forms/d/1m-ThRSKgQIjk5a87PFor3jA_aqx9hbapZXcyRl-qxXs/viewform

Ohio Teachers’ Homeroom 4/15/2017 @OHEducation ohio-department-of-education OhioEdDept Ohio Teachers’ Homeroom