Abuse

Types of abuse

• Physical Abuse
• Neglect
• Sexual Abuse
• Emotional Abuse

physical indicators of Physical Abuse

• bruises that are unexplained, linear, or in the shape of an object
• injuries where children don't naturally hurt themselves (face, legs, bottom, torso)
• wounds in various stages of healing
• fading marks or bruises after absences

Emotional indicators of physical abuse

• reports an injury from parent!
• routinely arrives early, stays late
• provides hard to believe explanations for injuries
• wary of adult contact, watchful firghtened
• quickly becomes withdrawn, aggressive or self-destructive
• behavior changes before going home

What is Neglect?

• maltreatment by caregiver resulting circumstances indicating threats to child's health or welfare
• severe neglect: not providing food, clothing or medical care

physical indicators of neglect

• has not received medical attention for physical or medical problems
• clothing is too small or large or inappropriate for the weathe
• has consitently bad hygiene: unwashed matted hair, strong body odor

Behavioral indicators of neglect

• begs for or steals food from classmates
• exhibits self-soothing behaviors
• always tired; falls asleep in class
• reports have no caretaker or consistent caretaker
• feels responsible for meeting needs of the parent
• exhibits responsibilities not typically seen in children of their age (laundry, taking care of siblings, cooking meals)
• wants to drop out of school

physical indicators of sexual adbuse

• Reports any sexual abuse by parent or another adult!
• has difficulty walking or sitting
• sudden weight change
• refuses to change for gym
• sudden negative change in appearance
• has frequent unrinary or yeast infections or becomes pregnant

behavioral indicators of sexual abuse

• sudden change in school performance
• inappropriately seductive
• talks a lot about another adult
• overly protective of siblings
• has sophisticated sexual knowledge beyond the level of their peers
• child on child sexual abuse

physical indicators of emotional abuse

• speech delays
• frequent somatic complaints (anxiety, ulcers, stomach and headaches)
• difficulty making eye contact

behavioral indicators of emotional abuse

• is fearful or anxious about making mistakes or doing something wrong
• engages in self-soothing behaviors (thumb-sucking, rocking)
• extremely passive or aggressive
• appears anti-social or destructive
• extremes in behvior - overly compliant one minute then demanding
• overly negative about themselves
• attempts suicide

Mandated reporting

2.9 MILLION CASES A YEAR

• Of all the reports of child abuse filed last year, 60% were filed by social service providers.
• Teachers accounted for 17% of the reports filed.

REMEMBER: You do not have to substantiate the report, but it is your responsibility to report it so someone else can.

deciding When to report

• verbal disclosures of abuse should ALWAYS be reported
• after consulting with the team at your school (past teachers, counselor, psychologist)
• you are ethically obligated to investigate more subtle clues of abuse
• if you decide you have "reasonable suspicion" you are legally bound to report any of the four types of abuse

you should not

• call the parent and ask them directly
• relay the information to an administrator and just let them handle it
• express shock when a child reports abuse
• suggest or lead the child, allow them to tell you their experience in their own words
• be dissuaded from reporting if a child recants their statements

additional questions

• How do I decide whether or not to report?
• May reports be made anonymously?
• If there is domestic violence in a house with a child, can I report child abuse?

How to Make a report

• Crime in Progress: Call 911
• All other incidents: Contact Child Protective Services
• San Joaquin County CPS: (209) 468-1333
• You will have to disclose your identity, which will remain confidential except to investigating agencies.

Outside sources referenced

• www.educators.mandatedreporterca.com
• www.speakupbesafe.org
• www.sjgov.org/hsa/childrensservices/mandatedreporter
• www.childwelfare.gov
• www.safehorizons.com/courage