1. Protecting Children: An Adult’s Responsibility
Prevent Child Abuse Utah

2. Prevent Child Abuse Utah www.pcautah.org
“In order to prevent child abuse and neglect, behaviors that damage children must be stopped before they begin.”
Prevent Child Abuse America (2010), “Why Prevention Matters” series, Prevention Creates the Future by Transforming Culture.
Prevent Child Abuse Utah

3. Prevent Child Abuse Utah www.pcautah.org
August 6, 2006 a 911 dispatch call was made where the child said, “My little sister is not breathing. My parents are doing CPR right now. No we can’t figure out why, she just stopped breathing, I have no idea why.” 10 yrs old - Shelby
Prevent Child Abuse Utah

4. Prevent Child Abuse Utah www.pcautah.org
2013 Statistics
4 children die every day in the U.S. because of child abuse
3,600,000 cases were reported in U.S.
90% of abuse happens by someone the child knows
Prevent Child Abuse Utah

5. Prevent Child Abuse Utah www.pcautah.org
2013 Utah Cases
RIVERDALE -- A 25-year-old woman has been charged after admitting to police that she physically abused her 1-year-old son, at one point telling him she wanted him to die.
FARMINGTON -- A 25-year-old man is accused of breaking his 6-month-old son's femur and shoulder blade.
LOGAN -- A 28-year-old Trenton man is due back in court this week to face felony child abuse charges in the alleged beating of his infant son.
Peggy’s story – click half way through – Who is protecting the children?
Prevent Child Abuse Utah

6. Prevent Child Abuse Utah www.pcautah.org
2013 Utah Cases
SALT LAKE CITY -- Prosecutors have filed charges against a woman they say locked her 4-year-old son in his room while she left for work.
OGDEN -- A former school teacher was sentenced to prison for a minimum of 30 years for sexually abusing two children.
MIDVALE -- A Midvale man is accused of smothering his girlfriend's 6-month-old baby and has been arrested on assault, domestic violence and attempted child abuse homicide charges.
Prevent Child Abuse Utah

7. Why Child Abuse Is Not Addressed
Denial
Child abuse is unpleasant to consider
We are afraid of falsely accusing anyone of child abuse
We place supreme value on respecting the privacy of families.
Julie A. Brand, M.S. “A Mother’s Touch”
Denial – It is easier to maintain our disbelief if we can distance ourselves from abuse – we try to think it rarely happens and when it does, it happens to other people or people we don’t know.
It is unpleasant to consider – We have feelings of helplessness or anger when we think about a child being abused so the easiest way to deal with unpleasant things is to simply not think about it.
Afraid of falsely accusing – we feel that we have to have proof before we make a call. Do innocent people get reported? Yes, but I like to think we are more concerned with the safety of the child. When I have a child disclose to me I ask a few key questions, then I report, it’s not my place to decide guilty or innocent, that is the job the state.
Privacy – We don’t want to guess what is going on in homes, we don’t want to pry, we don’t want to be seen as rude. but if I suspect that a child is being hurt, my resposibility is to call and protect that child
Prevent Child Abuse Utah

8. Prevent Child Abuse Utah www.pcautah.org
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is a pattern of behavior that takes place over an extended period of time, where a parent fails to give proper love, direction, encouragement and acceptance.
Effects how they feel about themselves
Prevent Child Abuse Utah

9. Prevent Child Abuse Utah www.pcautah.org
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is any physical injury or pattern of injuries inflicted or caused by a parent, guardian, caregiver, or other person that leaves a mark.
Prevent Child Abuse Utah

10. Prevent Child Abuse Utah www.pcautah.org

11. Prevent Child Abuse Utah www.pcautah.org
Neglect
Neglect is failure or refusal of a parent, guardian or caregiver to provide the necessary care for the child’s health, safety, or well-being Basic Needs
Prevent Child Abuse Utah

12. Prevent Child Abuse Utah www.pcautah.org

14. Prevent Child Abuse Utah www.pcautah.org

15. Prevent Child Abuse Utah www.pcautah.org
Sexual Abuse
Any interaction between a child and an adult (or another child) in which the child is used for the sexual stimulation of the perpetrator or an observer. A central characteristic of any abuse is domination of the child. Children, due to their age, cannot give meaningful consent to sexual activity.
(American Psychological Association)
Touching
Non-touching
Prevent Child Abuse Utah

16. Signs and Symptoms of Grooming may be occurring if the adult:
Selection
Engagement
Grooming
Assault
Concealment
Prevent Child Abuse Utah

17. Preston Jensen’s Story
Prevent Child Abuse Utah

18. Child Abuse
To hurt or harm
a child (0-17)
on purpose

19. Types of Abuse Physical abuse—leaves a mark
Sexual abuse—touching/non touching
Neglect—no basic needs
Emotional—pattern of behavior that takes place over an extended period of time that damages a child’s healthy emotional development.

20. How to talk to children about abuse
Recognize Resist Report
Prevent Child Abuse Utah

21. Prevent Child Abuse Utah www.pcautah.org

22. Carrie Jensen & Suzy Lee
Thank You
Carrie Jensen & Suzy Lee
Prevent Child Abuse Utah
2955 Harrison Blvd, Suite 104
Ogden, Utah 84403
Prevent Child Abuse Utah