Mandated Reporter Training Kids count on you!

Who is a mandated reporter?  Georgia law requires all school personnel who come in contact with children to report suspected child abuse.  If you are in a field experience, student teaching or when you become a teacher, you are a mandated reporter.

In Georgia…  Once every 30 minutes a child is the victim of confirmed abuse or neglect.  66% of child deaths related to abuse and neglect were determined to be preventable.  The majority of maltreaters (83%) are the parents of the child.

 1 out of 4 girls is sexually abused by the age of 16.  1 out of 6 boys is sexually abused by the age of 16.  85-90% of the sexual offenders are family members or friends of the family.  In Carroll County there were over 1,000 cases of child abuse/neglect in 2006.

National Statistics:  Over half of all victims are under the age of seven  90% of adult prisoners report being abused as a child  Over 75% of child fatalities reported as a result of child abuse and neglect occur in children under the age of four.  The leading cause of maltreatment death is neglect  73% of children who were sexually abused had their abuse last more than five years.

Definitions of Child Abuse:  PHYSICAL ABUSE: Non-accidental injury that results in bruises, welts, fractures, burns, cuts or other physical problems.  NEGLECT: A parent or caretaker permits the child to experience avoidable suffering or fails to provide essentials for physical, intellectual, social & emotional development.

 SEXUAL ABUSE:Sexual contact or interaction (fondling, sodomy, or penetration) between a child under the age of 18 and another person (adult or child), during which the child is used for sexual stimulation  EMOTIONAL ABUSE: Verbal abuse or other maltreatment which results in the impairment of psychological growth & development

Parental and Family Factors that May Lead to Child Abuse & Neglect  Parental / Caregiver Immaturity Parental / Caregiver Immaturity Parental / Caregiver Immaturity  Unrealistic Expectations Unrealistic Expectations Unrealistic Expectations  Social Isolation Social Isolation Social Isolation  Unmet Emotional Needs Unmet Emotional Needs Unmet Emotional Needs  Frequent Crisis Frequent Crisis Frequent Crisis  Poor Childhood Experiences Poor Childhood Experiences Poor Childhood Experiences  Drug or Alcohol Problems Drug or Alcohol Problems Drug or Alcohol Problems  Mental Illness Mental Illness Mental Illness  Poor Family Boundaries

Who must report? Georgia law requires all school personnel who come in contact with children to report suspected child abuse. Each school has an internal child abuse reporting protocol.

Rights of the Mandated Reporter  Anonymity or confidentiality.  Knowledge of the outcome only of a report

What are the penalties for not reporting?  Any person or official required by Georgia law to report suspected cases of child abuse and who knowingly and willfully fails to do so shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. You may also be disciplined by your school system or lose your position.

Role of Child Protective Services  Interview the child and parents/caregivers.  Arrange for the medical examination of a child if the child is believed to have sustained injuries.  Assess the parents’/caregivers’ abilities to care for the child  Provide support services to enable parents/caregivers to care for the child

Role of Child Protective Services  Request immediate temporary custody of a child from the judge in juvenile court when a report of abuse and/or neglect is substantiated.  Petition the court for permanent custody of a child when the parents/guardians, when given support and assistance, fail to demonstrate an ability or willingness to care for the child.

What happens when you make a report?  DFCS determines if there is an existing open case.  DFCS provides law enforcement with a copy of the referral.  DFCS assigns investigation priority.  Children, parents, and others are interviewed.

Factors for Prevention  Express positive expectations  Encourage goal setting and mastery  Encourage pro-social development (altruism, empathy, cooperation)  Provide opportunities for leadership  Foster active involvement for all students  Utilize cooperative learning  Involve parents  Model pro-social behavior

Websites  Family Watchdog map for convicted child molesters: sp?frm=0 sp?frm=0 sp?frm=0  Darkness to Light program for preventing Child Sexual Abuse: buse.htm buse.htm buse.htm