Abuse Neglect and Dependency…What you need to know. Lisa Siciliano-Miller MSSA, LISW-S, OSU Extension, Lake County Family Consumer Science and 4-H Educator Jeff Dick, Assistant Professor, OSU Extension Field Specialist, Volunteerism and 4-H Community Clubs

Objectives Define Child Abuse, Neglect and Dependency Distinguishing Abuse from Accident Indicators Do and don’ts Mandated Reporter Law OSU policy in regards to reporting How to report and what you need What happens after a report is made

Abuse Physical Abuse -non-accidental injury Corporal Punishment Severity/injury Number of times Opinion /subjective Corporal punishment is permissible in the state of Ohio. Abuse is determined by the severity of the injury how many injuries at one time or even how many serious injuries over a period of time. Opinion of abuse can e subjective by both the professional investigating the abuse as well as the prosecutor who makes the decision to file abuse.

Abuse Distinguishing Abuse from Accident Where is the injury? How many injuries does the child have? Size and shape of injury. Does the story match the injury? Injury consistent with child’s ability. Where the injury is if injuries occur in the plains of the body i.e knees, shins elbows etc that or commonly accidental injuries. Injuries on the middle of the back, stomach, forearm etc. are less commonly accidental injuries. If the child has many healing injures (different stages of healing) that may be concerning. Does the injury match the story the child is telling. Does the injury look like an object belt buckle, hand etc.

Abuse Sexual Abuse any sexual activity upon or with a child. The act may be for the sexual gratification of the perpetrator or a third party. Minors There are many question about consensual sex between a minor and an 18 year old. In speaking with JFS the rule of thumb is that any child 13 and under even if consensual would be a concern. Other ages would be considered on a a case by case basis.

Abuse Emotional Abuse chronic acts which interfere with psychological and or social development Hard to prove

Neglect Abandonment Supervision -age to be left alone Food and Shelter Educational Clothing/Self Care-Hygiene Medical/Dental Neglect occurs when there is intent to not provide care. No laws on what age a child can be left alone or allowed to what a sibling or another young child. The guideline is 10 years old to be left alone and 12 to watch a sibling. Obviously maturity, how responsible the child is, can the child be trusted, and does the child feel comfortable being left alone or responsible for another child is all taken into consideration

Dependency Homeless Lack of mental care due to mental or physical condition Household Member has abused/neglected a child. Circumstances of a sibling being abused When the parent is unable to provide a home, or care for a child at no fault of their own then the child is dependent i.e. a parent with a mental illness, medical condition etc.

Indicators of Child Abuse or Neglect Bruises welts, marks Clothing /long sleeve shirts Excessive sunburn, illness, colds bites etc. Child’s behavior _reluctance to change/participate In pain Hungry Tired Late to school

Indicators of Child Abuse or Neglect Parents may …… Appear disinterested Fail to return calls,/make appointments Become angry and threatening/defensive Refuse to discuss child’s problem Refer to child as different, bad etc Overly protective Lack of maturity Feels inadequate

Do and Don’ts Preliminary information necessary to know Do not investigate Never ask leading questions Confidentiality It is not the job of the reporter to investigate or know for sure if the abuse or neglect occurred. Never ask leading questions i.e so did your dad touch you, did your mom hit causing that bruise.

Mandated Reporter Law Attorneys Physicians Licensed psychologist and therapist Speech pathologists and audiologists Administrators and employees of daycares, camps, certified child care agencies, public or private children service agencies

Cont’d Mandated Reporter Law Teachers, school employees, or school authorities Social workers or professional counselors County Humane society Superintendents, board members, employees of county boards, employees of DD, employees of a home or facility that provides respite, employees of a home health agency or homemaker services Assessor or third party employed by children services.

OSU Policy on Reporting Reporting A. Any employee/ volunteer who in the course of their duties witnesses child abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect or has information that would lead a reasonable person to believe the minor faces a substantial threat of Such abuse or neglect must immediately call 1. Children services agency or a municipal or county peace officer local law enforcement authority at 911)and 2. University Police. B. The employee/ volunteer must complete a Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse, or Neglect Incident Report and submit it to the Office of Human Resources. C. The University Police must notify the Office of Human Resources , who will notify the unit HR professional and/or supervisor

Mandated Reporter Mandated Person Official/professional capacity Suspects or knows Required/Policy Moral/ethical duty If you fall under the mandated reporter law you must make the report if you suspect or know of abuse or neglect. It is better to error on the side of keeping the child safe/caution. Even if you are not in your professional capacity you may feel you have a moral and ethical dudty to reprot.

Information to have when making a report Names of all family member in home Birth date and ages Address Phone number If possible social security number Work or school names/numbers Specific concerns of abuse with as much factual detail Dates/time/ of incident(s) (documentation) Witnesses/collateral informants name and number If your beginning to suspect abuse or neglect ou may want to start documenting the times you suspect it, which will help you when you report.

Reporting information Giving your name Your name not released What to do if confronted by a parent. You do not have to give your name, but if you are mandated it will cover you if you do. Giving your name lends more credibility to the report. Your names is not released to the alleged victim or perpetrator. The only person who can release your name is a judge and that is very rare and only under unusual circumstances. If confronted by a parent you have to do what ever your feel comfortable doing. They have no way of knowing for sure if it was you( even though many parents will say “they told me it was you” they are just fishing. So you can deny it.

What happens after report is made Screener/professional or Para professional Intake/risk assessment/investigate Ongoing involvement Protective Supervision Custody and Placement Case plan/Ongoing reviews/ Permanency planning/Adoption

Where to report in your county Lorain County 440-329-5340 after hours 440-329 -2121 Cuyahoga County 216 696-KIDS(5437) Summit County 330-379-1880 Update these contacts for your county and possible surrounding counties.

Thank You for Coming Questions Thank You for Coming Questions? Contact information Lisa Siciliano-Miller MSSA, LISW-S 440-350-2268 Miller.4209@osu.edu Jeff Dick Field Specialist 419-337-9210 dick.7@osu.edu