1. Protecting children and disabled adults from abuse and neglect
Mandated Reporting
Protecting children and disabled adults from abuse and neglect
Perkins School for the Blind Staff Training Jim Witmer. LICSW

2. Pretest What is a “mandated reporter”?
When are you required to report?
If you are concerned about an adult, whom do you call?
Who from Perkins makes the call to report a suspicion of abuse?

3. Who is a “Mandated Reporter”?

4. Mandated Reporting Law Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119, Sections 51A-F
State law describing the duty of certain people to protect the children in their care and the legal mandate to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect by a care-giver

5. Who is a “Mandated Reporter”?
Health care workers
Public and private day care workers
Police, firefighters, etc.
Public or private school teachers, administrators, clinical staff and all other direct-care employees
…and many others

6. Preventing abuse: Children with disabilities are 3 to 4 times
more likely than their typical peers to be
physically abused or neglected.
Sullivan, P. & Knutson, J. (2000). Maltreatment and disabilities:
A population-based epidemiological study. Child Abuse & Neglect, 24 (10),

7. What adds to the risk of abuse for disabled children and adults ?

8. Disabled children and adults:
May have restricted social environments
Often feel powerless
Are often taught to accept being touched
by anyone called “staff”
May not understand that someone they know would harm them

9. Disabled children and adults:
Often do not receive sex education
May be especially challenged by communication barriers
Often live in situations where compliant behavior is required
Common indicators of abuse may be ascribed to the disability itself

10. Preventing physical and sexual abuse
Teaching and modeling for our students is their best protection

11. Modeling and teaching appropriate boundaries:
What YOU can do…

12. Modeling and teaching appropriate boundaries:
Remember students’ need for modesty and privacy
Look for opportunities to teach students about privacy
If not normally part of your job, notify a Houseparent before going into a student’s bedroom or a student bathroom

13. Modeling and teaching appropriate boundaries:
When giving routine physical care, always let the student know before you touch him or her
Ask permission before touching and wait for permission!
Touch, especially in the genital area can be stimu-lating. Be aware of how you touch and of the student’s reaction

14. Indicators of abuse and neglect
What to watch for…

15. Physical signs of physical abuse:
Unexplained bruises or welts, especially on the buttocks, torso, back or thighs where children are not typically injured
Unexplained cuts or abrasions
Unexplained fractures
Unexplained burns

16. Behavioral signs of physical abuse:
New anxiety about normal activities,
Behavioral extremes (overly compliant or aggressive)
Complaints of soreness/Awkward movements
Shying away from physical touch

17. Physical signs of sexual abuse:
Difficulty walking or sitting
Pain or itching in genital area
Bruising or bleeding in genital area
Frequent UTIs or yeast infections

18. Behavioral signs of sexual abuse:
Distinct changes in behavior
Lack of participation in favorite activities
Bizarre, sophisticated or unusual sexual behavior or knowledge
Withdrawal, fantasy or unusually infantile behavior

19. What to do when you suspect or a child reports abuse…

20. When you suspect abuse:
Try to keep your own feelings in check.
Try not to communicate shock, disgust, anger, embarrassment or disbelief
Never agree to keep a revelation secret
Try not to make the child feel bad or guilty

21. If a child discloses abuse:
Assure the child that he or she did the right thing by telling you
Let the child tell you the story in his/her own words. Try not to lead the child.
Never blame the child or make judgments about what has happened

22. Important reminder:
It is not up to you to investigate or elaborate on the child’s story.
You need only have a suspicion to report.

23. Reporting suspected abuse or neglect

24. Reporting procedure:
All Perkins staff must immediately report any suspicion to their direct supervisor, Program Supervisor or clinician
The supervisor reports to the Director of Programs and Services
An emergency meeting is held and relevant information is gathered
The Director of Programs and Services decides whether a report to a state agency is appropriate

25. Filing a report of suspected abuse:
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is responsible to investigate reports of suspected abuse and neglect of children birth to 18.
The Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC)
is responsible to investigate reports of suspected abuse of disabled adults ages

26. Post-Test What is a “mandated reporter”?
When are you required to report?
If you are concerned about an adult, whom do you call?
Who from Perkins makes a call to report a suspicion of abuse?

27. for your interest and attention and for your help in
Thank you
for your interest and attention
and for your help in
protecting our students!