1. Child Abuse and Neglect
Networx LLC
PO Box
Brown Deer, WI

2. Executive Summary
In calendar year 2005, county Child Protective Services (CPS) agencies and the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare received a total of 47,404 referrals from community reporters alleging maltreatment of children.

3. Allegations and Findings
Neglect was the most common type of maltreatment allegation during calendar year 2005, followed by physical abuse, and sexual abuse. Of the total allegations, 8,148 or approximately 20% were substantiated (verified) as maltreatment.

4. Child Victims There were 8,831 child victims of maltreatment in 2005.
Females were more likely to be victims than males, primarily due to sexual abuse. In calendar year 2005, CPS agencies reported 10 children died from substantiated maltreatment.

5. Maltreaters
The majority of substantiated maltreaters in calendar year 2005 were males, primarily for sexual abuse.
Females accounted for the majority of substantiated maltreaters in neglect cases.
Primary caregivers accounted for approximately 2/3 of the substantiated maltreatment.

6. The Price of Child Abuse in WI
Wisconsin’s price tag for treating and protecting abused and neglected children is staggering.
According to an updated cost-analysis released in March 2005 by the Children’s Trust Fund, child abuse and neglect costs Wisconsin more than $673.3 million a year or $1.8 million a day.

7. Types of Abuse
The following are some signs often associated with particular types of child abuse and neglect: physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. It is important to note, however, that these types of abuse are more typically found in combination than alone. A physically abused child, for example, is often emotionally abused as well, and a sexually abused child also may be neglected.

8. Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect
Physical Abuse Citation: Ann. Stat. § 48.02
Physical Abuse means any of the following:
Physical injury inflicted on a child by other than accidental means
When used in referring to an unborn child, serious physical harm inflicted on the unborn child, and the risk of serious physical harm to the child when born, caused by the habitual lack of self-control of the expectant mother of the unborn child in the use of alcohol beverages, controlled substances, or controlled substance analogs, exhibited to a severe degree
Manufacturing methamphetamine in violation of § (1)(e) under any of the following circumstances:
With a child physically present during the manufacture
In a child's home, on the premises of a child's home, or in a motor vehicle located on the premises of a child's home
Under any other circumstances in which a reasonable person should have known that the manufacture would be seen, smelled, or heard by a child
Physical injury includes, but is not limited to, lacerations, fractured bones, burns, internal injuries, severe or frequent bruising, or great bodily harm.

9. Neglect Citation: Ann. Stat. § 48.981
Neglect means failure, refusal, or inability on the part of a parent, guardian, legal custodian, or other person exercising temporary or permanent control over a child, for reasons other than poverty, to provide necessary care, food, clothing, medical or dental care, or shelter so as to seriously endanger the physical health of the child.

10. Exceptions Citation: Ann. Stat. § 48.981
It is not considered neglect when the failure to provide the child with necessary care, food, clothing, shelter, medical, or dental care is due to poverty.

11. Sexual Abuse Citation: Ann. Stat. § 48.02
Sexual Abuse means any of the following:
Sexual intercourse or sexual contact
A violation of the statute regarding the sexual exploitation (use for one’s own advantage) of a child
Permitting, allowing, or encouraging a child to engage in prostitution
A violation of the statute that prohibits causing a child to view or listen to sexual activity
A violation of the statute that prohibits the exposure of the genitals to a child

12. Emotional Abuse Citation: Ann. Stat. § 48.02
Emotional Abuse means emotional damage for which the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian has neglected, refused, or been unable for reasons other than poverty to obtain the necessary treatment or to take steps to ameliorate (make better) the symptoms.
Emotional damage means harm to a child's psychological or intellectual functioning.
Emotional damage shall be evidenced by one or more of the following characteristics exhibited to a severe degree: anxiety, depression, withdrawal, outward aggressive behavior, or a substantial and observable change in behavior, emotional response, or cognition (thinking & reasoning) that is not within the normal range for the child's age and stage of development

13. Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Symptoms
The first step in helping abused or neglected children is learning to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect. The presence of a single sign does not prove child abuse is occurring in a family, but a closer look at the situation may be warranted when these signs appear repeatedly or in combination.
If you do suspect a child is being harmed, reporting your suspicions may protect the child and get help for the family. Any concerned person can report suspicions of child abuse and neglect. Some people (typically certain types of professionals) are required by law to make a report of child maltreatment under specific circumstances—these are called mandatory reporters.
For more information about where and how to file a report, contact your local child protective services agency or police department. An additional resource for information and referral is the Childhelp® National Child Abuse Hotline (800.4.A.CHILD).

14. The following signs may signal the presence of child abuse or neglect.
The Child:
Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance
Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents' attention
Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes
Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen
Lacks adult supervision
Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn
Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home

15. The following signs may signal the presence of child abuse or neglect.
The Parent:
Shows little concern for the child
Denies the existence of—or blames the child for—the child's problems in school or at home
Asks teachers or other caregivers to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves
Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome
Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve
Looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and satisfaction of emotional needs

16. The following signs may signal the presence of child abuse or neglect.
The Parent and Child:
Rarely touch or look at each other
Consider their relationship entirely negative
State that they do not like each other

17. Signs of Physical Abuse
Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the child:
Has unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, or black eyes
Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school
Seems frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home
Shrinks at the approach of adults
Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver
Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver:
Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for the child's injury
Describes the child as "evil," or in some other very negative way
Uses harsh physical discipline with the child
Has a history of abuse as a child

18. Signs of Neglect Consider the possibility of neglect when the child:
Is frequently absent from school
Begs or steals food or money
Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses
Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor
Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather
Abuses alcohol or other drugs
States that there is no one at home to provide care
Consider the possibility of neglect when the parent or other adult caregiver:
Appears to be indifferent to the child
Seems apathetic (unconcerned) or depressed
Behaves irrationally (abnormal) or in a bizarre manner
Is abusing alcohol or other drugs

19. Signs of Sexual Abuse
Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the child:
Has difficulty walking or sitting
Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities
Reports nightmares or bedwetting
Experiences a sudden change in appetite
Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior
Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if under age 14
Runs away
Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver
Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver:
Is unduly protective of the child or severely limits the child's contact with other children, especially of the opposite sex
Is secretive and isolated
Is jealous or controlling with family members

20. Signs of Emotional Maltreatment
Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment when the child:
Shows extremes in behavior, such as overly compliant or demanding behavior, extreme passivity, or aggression
Is either inappropriately adult (parenting other children, for example) or inappropriately infantile (frequently rocking or head-banging, for example)
Is delayed in physical or emotional development
Has attempted suicide
Reports a lack of attachment to the parent
Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment when the parent or other adult caregiver:
Constantly blames, belittles, or berates the child
Is unconcerned about the child and refuses to consider offers of help for the child's problems
Overtly rejects the child

21. Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect
Professionals Required to Report Citation: Ann. Stat. §
The following professionals are required to report:
Physicians, coroners, medical examiners, nurses, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists, acupuncturists, other medical or mental health professionals, physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, dietitians, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, or emergency medical technicians
School teachers, administrators or counselors, child care workers in daycare centers, group homes, or residential care centers, or daycare providers
Alcohol or other drug abuse counselors, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, or members of the treatment staff employed by or working under contract with a county department or a residential care center for children and youth
Social workers, public assistance workers, first responders, police or law enforcement officers, mediators, or court appointed special advocates
Members of the clergy or a religious order, including brothers, ministers, monks, nuns, priests, rabbis, or sisters

22. Privileged Communications Citation: Ann. Stat. § 48.981
A member of the clergy is not required to report child abuse information that he or she receives solely through confidential communications made to him or her privately or in a confessional setting if he or she is authorized to hear or is accustomed to hearing such communications and, under the disciplines, tenets, or traditions of his or her religion, has a duty or is expected to keep those communications secret. Those disciplines, tenets, or traditions need not be in writing.

23. WI Child Care Licensing Rules
46.04(6)(a)8, pg. 24
REPORTING CHILD ABUSE

24. Tips for Talking to Kids
SEE HANDOUT

25. Tips for Making a Report
SEE HANDOUT
SAFE (7233)

26. Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
View Movie:
Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Mandated Reporter Training SCAN-MRT

27. Next Step Training: Part 2
Building Protective Factors with Families
Protective factors and characteristics that help protect children and families from abuse and neglect.

28. For More Information About This Training Contact:
Networx
PO Box
Brown Deer, WI