INVESTIGATING CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN. TRAINING.

COMMON TYPES OF MULTREATMENT IN CHILDREN.  Child maltreatment includes all types of abuse and neglect of a child under the age of 18 by a parent, caregiver, or another person in a custodial role (e.g., clergy, coach, and teacher). There are four common types of abuse.  Physical abuse is the use of intentional physical force, such as hitting, kicking, shaking, burning or other show of force against a child.  Sexual abuse involves engaging a child in sexual acts. It includes fondling, rape, and exposing a child to other sexual activities.

COMMON TYPES OF MULTREATMENT IN CHILDREN.  Emotional abuse refers to behaviors that harm a child’s self-worth or emotional well-being. Examples include name calling, shaming, rejection, withholding love, and threatening.  Neglect is the failure to meet a child’s basic needs. These needs include housing, food, clothing, education, and access to medical care.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NEGLECT AND ABUSE  Abuse and neglect, they both have different meanings, but are associated with the emotional and physical wellbeing of a person. Abuse means maltreatment of a person, both physically as well as psychologically, and neglect means the failure to give proper care to a person, both in terms of physical and or psychological. Improper use or practice is abusing something, and failing to do something is neglecting somebody.

INDICATORS OF NEGLECT.  slow weight gain (in infants).  regressive behavior in toddlers  delays or problems with language or other development  malnutrition, begging, stealing or hoarding food  poor hygiene, matted hair, dirty skin or body odour  unattended physical or medical problems  comments from a child that no one is home to provide care  being constantly tired

INDICATORS OF ABUSE.  showing wariness and distrust of adults  rocking, sucking or biting excessively  bedwetting or soiling  demanding or aggressive behavior  sleeping difficulties, often being tired and falling asleep  low self-esteem  difficulty relating to adults and peers  abusing alcohol or drugs  being unable to explain an injury, or providing explanations that are inconsistent, vague or unbelievable

CHECKLIST FOR PHYSICAL INDICATORS OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT.  Unexplained bruises or welts: 1. On face, lips and mouth 2. In various stages of healing 3. Clustered, forming rectangular patterns, reflecting shape of article used to inflict (electric cord, belt buckle) 4. On several different surface area 5. Regularly appeared after absence, weekend or vacation 6. Unexplained burns

CHECKLIST FOR BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT. 1. wary of adult contact 2. behavioral extremes 3. frightened of parents; afraid to go home 4. reports injury by parents 5. lies very still while surveying surroundings back or buttocks (infant) 6. inappropriate or precocious maturity 7. alcohol or drug abuse 8. talks in a whisper or whine

CHECKLIST FOR SEXUAL ABUSE. 1. torn, stained, or bloody underclothing 2. pain, swelling, or itching in the genital area 3. bruises, bleeding or lacerations in external genitalia, vaginal, or anal areas 4. vaginal/penile discharge 5. venereal disease especially in pre-teens 6. poor sphincter tone 7. pregnancy

CONCLUSION  Indicators are not proof that abuse or neglect actually exists. Rather, they are indications that a child may have a problem and that further exploration may be necessary to determine what is happening in that child’s life. Abuse and/or neglect are not the only causes of these specific behaviors or indicators.  Neglect in the early years can have a long-standing impact across the whole spectrum of children’s development, and throughout the life span. Early intervention and support for families where neglect is identified is therefore of utmost importance in safeguarding children from harm.

REFERENCE  Robertson, S. (2006). Crimes against Children: Sexual Violence and Legal Culture in New York City, : Sexual Violence and Legal Culture in New York City, University of North Carolina Press.  Marion, N. E. (2011). Crimes against Children. In Federal Government and Criminal Justice (pp ). Palgrave Macmillan US.  Huffaker, S. Crimes Against Children.