Child Abuse and Neglect Overview for Child Care Providers

Child Abuse & Neglect National Statistics Over 3 million reports of child abuse and neglect are reported each year » Neglect60% » Physical 20% » Sexual 10% » Emotional 7%

Child Abuse & Neglect National Statistics –Incidence: three times greater than reported –Abusive head trauma leading cause of infant deaths –25% of shaken baby syndrome children die; majority have brain damage –Every 10 seconds a child is abused

Who is Considered a Mandatory Reporter? For example: n Health care providers (nurses, dentists, physicians) n School personnel (teachers, principals, secretaries & other staff) n Police officers, fire fighters n WORKERS IN A FAMILY CARE HOME OR CHILD CARE CENTER

Children’s Code Any person, other than the perpetrator, who makes a report shall be immune from any liability, civil or criminal, or termination of employment that might result from such reporting C.R.S

Reporting You should report ANY reasonable suspicion of abuse

Why Abuse is Not Reported n Little or no training n Afraid of reprisals or being sued n “Bureaucratic tape” n Personal feeling for child/family n Very stressful

The Child Care Provider Usually, the only other person outside immediate family members who sees a child on an on-going basis

Reasonable Suspicion The most important thing to remember is that … you should report any reasonable suspicion of abuse YOU DO NOT NEED TO PROVE IT!

Risk Factors n Lack of parenting skills n Overuse of physical punishment n Poor coping skills n Marital difficulties

Risk Factors n Lack of knowledge of normal growth and development n Criminal behavior n Immaturity

Children with Special Needs In addition to the fact that children with disabilities are at increased risk of abuse, is the reality that child abuse can cause disabilities.

Children with Special Needs n Exact number of disabilities caused by abuse is unknown. n Estimated to represent at least 25% of all developmental disabilities!

Child Abuse Prevention Techniques for Children with Special Needs n Teach children personal safety skills n Know all care providers and observe interactions, since the child is so dependent on the caregiver.

Child Abuse Prevention Techniques for Children with Special Needs n Participate in prevention training programs. n Develop relationships with local community agencies and schools that serve children with disabilities.

Physical Abuse Any physical injury to a child that is not accidental

Types of Physical Injuries n Bruises n Human bite marks n Burns n Fractures n Head/brain injuries n Poisoning

Shaken Baby Syndrome Brain damage that may result in the following: n Spinal injury/paralysis n Blindness n Deafness n Seizures n Retardation n Impaired motor/sensory skills n Death

Shaken Baby Syndrome Signs and Symptoms n Swelling of soft spot n Larger head than normal n Bleeding in the eyes n Unable to lift/turn head n Irritability

Shaken Baby Syndrome Signs and symptoms n Excessive drowsiness n Difficulty breathing n Seizures n Projectile vomiting n Unresponsiveness

Harmless Activities? n Tossing child in air repeatedly n Jogging with infant on back/shoulders n “Riding a horse” n “Cracking the whip”

Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention n Never ever, ever shake a baby!! n ALWAYS support the baby’s head n Learn strategies to deal with crying n If shaken, take to ER immediately

Cultural Practices n Vietnamese folk practice –Coining - Cao Gio n Mexican-American practice –Burns - “cupping” –Head Injuries - “fallen fontanelle” OH#

Natural Marks n Mongolian Spots n Salmon Patches n Strawberry Marks

Emotional Abuse Pattern of behavior that interferes with the positive emotional development and sense of self-worth

Emotional Abuse n Rejection n Verbal assault n Withholding love n Terrorizing the child

Emotional Abuse n Not providing basic nurturing n Refusing help for child’s mental health needs n Failure to provide physical/mental stimulation to grow n Exposure to domestic violence

Sexual Abuse and Unlawful Sexual Behavior “Touching” offenses, such as n Fondling n Intercourse, rape, sodomy n Child forced to touch perpetrator in sexual manner

Sexual Abuse and Unlawful Sexual Behavior “Non-touching” offenses, such as n Indecent exposure or exhibitionism n Exposing children to pornographic material n Masturbating in front of a child

Symptoms of Sexual Abuse Symptoms can be physical, behavioral, or emotional, such as n Poor peer relationships n Pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease n Sexual acting out or sexual knowledge beyond that appropriate for age

Child Neglect n Failure to provide basic necessities –food –clothing –shelter –medical care

Types of Neglect n Safety or Supervisional Neglect –inadequate supervision, abandonment, failure to safely store weapons or toxic materials n Educational Neglect –failure to enroll a child in school or attend to the child’s educational needs n Medical Neglect –withholding important medical care necessary to the child’s well being and health

What to do!! ¤ Believe ¤ Listen ¤ Reassure ¤ Rephrase ¤ Inform ¤ Report

What NOT to do!! 6 Promise confidentiality 6 Panic or act shocked 6 Ask leading questions 6 Make negative comments about perpetrator 6 Suggest the abuse did not happen or the child is mistaken

Child Protection n Contact your supervisor n Follow center policies and procedures

Child Protection n Reporting n Investigation n Child Protection Team n Court Process n Central Registry

Reporting Child Abuse/Neglect in Your County Know your local department of human services child protection hotline You can find this information on-line: