Indicators of Abuse & Mandated Reporting Training Judith A. Hayn 10/26/2010

What is abuse? ABUSE IS… Physical Neglect Sexual Emotional or a combination of any or all of these

Definition of Physical Abuse Most easily spotted It may be any kind of hitting, shaking, burning, pinching, biting, choking, throwing, pushing Actions that cause physical injury, leave marks, or produce physical pain

Indicators of Physical Abuse Bruises or welts in unusual places or in patterns Bruises in various stages of healing Explanation of injury differs from parent explanation BEHAVIORAL: Becomes frightened when other children cry Says the parents deserve to be hurt Is afraid of certain people Withdrawn or aggressive

Definition of Neglect Physical, educational, emotional Hardest to define; Occurs when a child doesn’t have adequate food, housing, clothes, medical care, or supervision. Emotional neglect happens when a parent doesn’t provide enough emotional support or deliberately pays little or not attention to the child.

Indicators of Neglect PHYSICAL: Underweight Always hungry Not clean Inappropriately dressed Denied medical or dental care BEHAVIORAL: Begs or steals food Arrives early & leaves late Frequent, unexplained absences Overtired or listless

Definition of Sexual Abuse Any type of sexual contact between an adult and anyone 18 or younger, or between a significantly older child and a younger child. Behavior involving penetration, fondling, violation of privacy, exploitation Abuser is usually child knows or is supposed to trust

Indicators of Sexual Abuse PHYSICAL: Difficulty walking or sitting Wearing torn, stained or bloody underwear Injury to or discharge from genitals Pain during urination BEHAVIORAL Acts withdrawn or younger than age. Displays sexual behavior Tells you that she has secrets that she cannot tell. Tries to hurt himself Reluctance or refusal to undress in front of others

Definition of Emotional Abuse Almost always a factor in the other 3 categories of abuse Difficult to pin down because no physical signs Verbal yelling, withholding affection, extreme punishment, until child’s self-esteem and feelings of self-worth are damaged Effects: signs of apathy, depression, hostility

Effects of Child Abuse EMOTIONAL Low self-esteem Depression and anxiety Aggressive behavior/anger issues Relationship difficulties Alienation and withdrawal Personality disorders Clinginess, neediness Flashbacks and nightmares

Effects of Abuse continued… BEHAVIORAL Problems in school and work Prostitution Teen pregnancy Suicide attempts Criminal or antisocial behavior Alcohol and drug abuse Eating disorders Spousal abuse

STATISTICS Each week Child Protective Services (CPS) agencies throughout US receive more than 50,000 reports of suspected child abuse or neglect For every incidence of child abuse or neglect that gets reported, it’s estimated that 2 others go unreported

Stats continued… Approx 2/3 of reported cases, the info provided was sufficient to prompt an assessment or investigation As a result of the investigations, approx 896,000 children were found to have been victims of abuse or neglect – an average of more than 2450 children per day

More stats… From reports, 60% victims experienced neglect 20% physical abuse 10% sexual abuse (more likely to be publicized 7% emotional abuse

And more stats… On average nearly 4 children die everyday as a result of child abuse or neglect Children less than 1 yrs old on average account for 41% of all abuse-related deaths ¾ are less than 4 yrs old

Intergenerational-significant factor in cycle of abuse – 80% of abusers, were abused by their parents As a result, 1 of every 3 abused or neglected children will grow up to become an abusive parent

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?”

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

The Child Maltreatment Act 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.

Reporting Options By Phone: 1.800.482.5964 By Fax*: 1.501.618.8952 * 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.

501.661.7975 williamsonsherryj@uams.edu Sherry Williamson, M.P.A. 501.661.7975 williamsonsherryj@uams.edu