MAKING A DIFFERENCEMandate to Report, Responsibility to Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect

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Overview

This webinar will explore how to identify and report suspected abuse and neglect, and examine ways to build protective factors that prevent child abuse and neglect.

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Learning Objectives

Demonstrate knowledge of signs of child abuse and neglect.

Demonstrate understanding how to report suspected child abuse and neglect.

Identify research-based protective factors that prevent child maltreatment.

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About Child Abuse and Neglect

Section 1.

About Abuse & Neglect

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Facts about Child Maltreatment

130 years since first recognition of child abuse in U.S.

Child maltreatment remains a serious problem in U.S.

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Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have long-

term effects.

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Facts about Child Maltreatment

The estimated costs of treating the effects of child maltreatment are over $80 billion per year.

(Source: Prevent Child Abuse America)

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Facts about Child Maltreatment

In the nation (2010)3.3 million CPS referrals of child maltreatment.695,000 child victims.Over 75% of all substantiated maltreatment is

neglectOver 80% of perpetrators are parentsNearly 80% of deaths are < 4 years old.

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Facts about Child Maltreatment

In West Virginia (2010)32,244 CPS referrals.4,133 substantiated cases. 3,961 child victims.8 children died.

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Child Abuse is Declining in WV

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What are some potential warning signs and indicators?

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What are some physical indicators of possible physical

abuse?

Physical IndicatorsQuestionable bruisesQuestionable burnsQuestionable fractures (in various stages

of healing)Questionable cuts and scrapes (to mouth,

eyes, external genitalia)

What are some behavioral indicators of possible physical

abuse?Behavioral IndicatorsUncomfortable with physical contactWary of adult contactsBehavioral extremesAfraid to go homeWears inappropriate clothing for season to

hide injuries Self destructive

What are some physical indicators of possible child

neglect?

Physical IndicatorsConsistent hunger, poor hygiene,

inappropriate clothingConsistent lack of supervisionUnattended physical or health problemsAbandonment

What are some behavioral indicators of possible child

neglect?

Behavioral IndicatorsBegging, stealing foodConstant fatigue, falling asleepStates there is no caregiverFrequently absentShunned by peersSelf destructive

What are some physical indicators of possible sexual

abuse?

Physical IndicatorsDifficulty walking or sittingTorn, stained or bloody underwear / diaperBruises or bleeding in external genitaliaMassive weight change

What are some behavioral indicators of possible sexual

abuse?Behavioral IndicatorsWithdrawal, chronic depressionOverly compliant, passive behavior aimed at

maintaining a low profile.Hostility or aggression.Unusual sexual behavior or knowledge.Unusually seductive behaviors with peers

and adults.

What are some physical indicators of possible

emotional abuse?

Physical IndicatorsSpeech disordersLags in physical developmentFailure to thrive

What are some behavioral indicators of possible

emotional abuse?

Behavioral IndicatorsBehavior extremes: compliant, passive,

aggressive, demanding, rageful.Overly adaptive behavior: “Parents” other

children inappropriately.Inappropriately infantile or emotionally needy.Self-destructive, attempted suicide.

Mandate to Report

Section 2.

All About Reporting

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Who Must ReportWV Code §49-6A-6

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New Mandated ReportersWho Must Report

Per SB 161 (effective June 8, 2012)

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youth camp administrator or counselor

employee, coach or volunteer of an entity that provides organized activities for children

commercial film or photographic print processor

Additional Requirements Regarding Child Sexual Abuse

ReportingPer SB 161 (effective June 8, 2012)

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Any person over 18 who receives a disclosure from a credible witness or observes any sexual abuse or sexual assault of a child shall report the circumstances or cause a report to be made to the Department or the State Police or other law-enforcement agency having jurisdiction.

Reports shall be made immediately and not more than 48 hours after receiving such a disclosure or observing the sexual abuse.

Additional Requirements Regarding Child Sexual Abuse

ReportingPer SB 161 (effective June 8, 2012)

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If the reporter feels that reporting the alleged sexual abuse will expose themselves, the child, the reporter's children or other children in the subjects household to an increased threat of serious bodily injury, the individual may delay making the report while he or she undertakes measures to remove themselves or the affected children from the perceived threat of additional harm.

The individual must make the report as soon as practical after the threat of harm has been reduced.

Types of Disclosure

Indirect Hints• "My babysitter keeps bothering me."

Disguised Disclosures• "I know someone who is being touched in a bad way."

Disclosures with Strings Attached• "I have a problem, but if I tell you about it, you have to

promise not to tell."

What should you do when a parent or child discloses?

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DisclosureWhat to do when a parent or child discloses?

1. Find a private place to talk with the person.2. Reassure the person making the disclosure ("I believe you.”)3. Listen openly and calmly, with minimal interruptions. 4. Write down the facts and words as the person has stated

them. (Exact words are important to investigators.)5. Do not promise not to tell, but respect the person’s

confidentiality by not telling others who don’t need to know.6. Tell the truth.7. Be specific. Let the child know what is going to happen. 8. Assess the child’s immediate safety. 9. Be supportive. Report the disclosure within 48 hrs to CPS.

DisclosureWhat NOT to Say When Someone Discloses To You

1. Don’t ask “why” questions such as:• “Why didn't you stop him or her?”• “Why are you telling me this?”

2. Don't say "Are you sure?"3. Don't ask "Are you telling the truth?"4. Don't say "Let me know if it happens again."5. Avoid leading questions ("Did your uncle touch

you too? Was he wearing a blue jacket?”)

How do you make a report?

You should contact CPS whenever you reasonably suspect a child has been abused or neglected or is subject to conditions where abuse or neglect is likely to occur.

CPS will accept your report and determine “Is the child safe or does the child need protected?”

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To Whom Do You Report?

WV Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline

1-800-352-6513

24 hours a day - 7 days a week

For serious physical abuse and sexual abuse, also contact the state police and local law enforcement.

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Responsibility to Prevent

Section 3.

What Child Abuse Prevention Looks Like

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Responsibility to Prevent

“No epidemic has ever been resolved by paying attention to the treatment of the affected individual.”

-- George W. Albee, Ph.D.

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Protective Factors:A New Prevention Framework

Suitable for universal, positive approach to families (no “risk” factors or deficit approach)

Easily communicated to all audiences

Based on hard evidence

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Protective Factors“Circles of Caring”

Knowledge of Parenting & Child Development

Parental Resilience

Social Connections

Social & Emotional Development of Children

Concrete Support in Times of Need

Knowledge of Parenting & Child Development

Information about how children develop

How to deal with challenging behaviors

Alternatives to how we were raised

Parental Resilience

Able to solve problems

Feel supported

Ability to bounce back

Social Connections

Relationships

Community norms

Mutual assistance networks

Social and Emotional Development of Children

Positive parent-child interaction.

Appropriate adult response to challenging behaviors or when development is not on track.

Children learn to express themselves and their emotions.

Concrete Support in Times of Need

Response to crisis.

Assistance with daily needs.

Services for children and parents.

Remember…

WV Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline

1-800-352-6513

24 hours a day - 7 days a week

For serious physical abuse and sexual abuse, also contact the state police and local law enforcement.

For More Information Contact:

The TEAM for West Virginia Children1-866-4KIDSWV

304-697-0340Email: pcawv@teamwv.org

Twitter: @TEAM4WVChildrenhttp://slideshare.net/PCAWV

http://www.preventchildabusewv.org

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