1. Child Abuse and Neglect
Parent Education Workshop

2. Child Abuse Workshop
Protection and safety of children require the involvement of all community members.
Reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect by the mandated reporter is a primary intervention that identifies harm or the treat of harm to children.
A report provides Child Welfare Services the opportunity to intervene and to address problems in the home that have harmed or threatened a child with harm.
Source: DHS Mandated Reporter Booklet 2006

3. Child abuse hurts everyone. . .
What is child abuse?
Child abuse is the physical or psychological maltreatment of a child by his or her parents (including adoptive parents), guardians, or any other adult responsible for the child’s health or welfare.
Inflicting harm or threatened harm to a child that results in non-accidental physical or mental injury.
Child abuse hurts everyone. . .
Children suffer physically and emotionally. The effects of abuse can last a lifetime
Society is affected by troubled families, crime, and other problems that can result from abuse.

4. Some children suffer from more than one kind of abuse.
Child abuse takes many forms. . .
Physical Abuse
Includes purposely hurting a child by hitting, shaking, and burning.
Emotional Abuse
Includes repeated threats or insults to scare or embarrass a child, or to crush a child’s self-esteem. This may also be called verbal abuse.
Sexual Abuse
Any sexual contact with a child
Using a child for sexual films or prostitution
Exposing a child to adult sexual activity through photographs and videos
Neglect
Includes failing to provide for a child’s emotional needs like love and attention or physical needs such as food, clothing, medical care, and supervision
Some children suffer from more than one kind of abuse.

5. To recognize child abuse, look for clusters of the following physical and behavioral symptoms:
Some signs of physical child abuse
burns, bite marks, cuts, bruises, or welts in the shape of an object
resistance to going home
fear of adults
Some signs of emotional child abuse
apathy, depression
hostility
difficulty concentrating
Source:

6. Physical and behavioral symptoms:
Some signs of sexual child abuse
inappropriate interest in or knowledge of sexual acts
seductiveness
avoidance of things related to sexuality, or rejection of own
genitals or body
either over compliance or excessive aggression
fear of a particular person or family member
Some signs of neglect of a child
clothing unsuited to the weather
being dirty or un-bathed
extreme hunger
apparent lack of supervision
Source:

7. Responding to abuse. . . If you suspect abuse: Watch for signs
Be approachable
Evaluate the situation
If a child tells you about abuse:
Report it
Be a good listener
Be supportive
Don’t overreact
Write it down and report it

8. Reporting child abuse. . . 832-5300
If you suspect child abuse - or a child tells you about their abuse, you have the right and responsibility to report it.
It can help protect children from further harm. In some case it can save lives!
Many children who are abused grow up to abuse their own children. Reporting abuse can help break this cycle.
The local Child Welfare Services Hot Line is:

9. Questions or Comments