2.  Georgia and Gordon County statistics  Discuss state and local laws/protocols  Discuss the code of ethics for educators  Signs and symptoms of abuse

3. “My Mommy and Daddy are having a fight.” “I’m talking to the Police, Mommy. Stop it.” “Mommy…Stop it…Don’t touch the baby.”

4. In 2007, 60 children died as a result of abuse or neglect in the state of Georgia. School personnel are the #1 reporters of abuse or neglect

5. EVERY 30 MINUTES A CHILD IS THE VICTIM OF CHILD ABUSE IN AMERICA 83 % of those who abuse children are the children’s biological parents 48 % of child abuse victims are under the age of six 161 child deaths in Georgia were related to child abuse or neglect A national survey by Child Help USA estimates that 2/3 of suspected child abuse is not reported. Research shows that NEARLY 85 % of child sexual abuse is never reported.

6. In Gordon County in 2011… 128 cases were substantiated as abuse or neglect. http://vimeo.com/73172036 Perhaps if we respond earlier we can save a life!

7.  Code Section 19-7-5: If a person is required to report abuse pursuant to this subsection because that person attends to a child pursuant to such person's duties as a member of the staff of a….school….an oral report shall be made immediately, but in no case later than 24 hours from the time there is reasonable cause to believe a child has been abused…

8.  Revisions to Mandated Reporter Law O.C.G.A. §19- 5-7 Changes will take effect July 1, 2012  New Definitions in the Statute:  School- Any public or private educational institution, everything from pre-kindergarten programs to colleges and universities Administrators, teachers, guidance counselors, social workers and psychologists at all educational institutions are now required to report suspected child abuse

9. Child service organization personnel-People employed by or volunteering for any type of organization or business that provides children with “care, treatment, education, training, supervision, coaching, counseling, recreational programs, or shelter” A report of alleged child abuse is made in Georgia approximately every 14 minutes. Did You Know? Nationally, reports from education personnel make up the largest percentage of 16.4% of child abuse reports.

10.  Calhoun City Board Policy (JGI) states that “all school personnel having reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused or neglected will report such cases to the child’s school principal” or designee.  Your School Counselor or the System Social Worker is your designated reporter.

11.  Standards  1: Criminal Acts  2: Abuse of Students  3: Alcohol or Drugs  4: Misrepresentation or Falsification  5: Public Funds and Property  6: Improper Remunerative Conduct  7: Confidential Information  8: Abandonment of Contract  9: Failure to Make a Required Report  10: Professional Conduct  11: Testing (Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GPSC)

12.  An educator should file reports of a breach of one or more of the standards in the Code of Ethics for Educators, child abuse (O.C.G.A. 19- 7-5), or any other required report. Unethical conduct includes the failure to make a required report as soon as possible but no later than 90 days from the date the educator became aware of an alleged breach unless the law or local procedures require reporting sooner.

13.  Must have reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused  Immunity from civil or criminal liability if the report of suspected child abuse is made in good faith  Guilty of a misdemeanor if any mandated reporter knowingly and willfully fails to report a case of suspected child abuse

14. Timing is of the essence Notify the designated official as soon as possible Remember: You DO NOT have to have proof only ‘suspicion’.

15.  Neglect  Physical Abuse  Sexual Abuse  Emotional Abuse  Photo of Westside School Students participating in child abuse awareness pinwheel campaign.

16.  Occurs when a parent or caretaker allows a child to experience avoidable suffering or fails to provide basic essentials for physical, social, and emotional development.

17.  Is frequently absent from school  Begs or steals food or money  Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses  Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor  Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather  Abuses alcohol or drugs  States that there is no one at home to provide care CPS guidelines for supervision: Children 8 years and younger should not be left alone; Children between 9-12 years old may be for brief (less than 2 hours) periods of time (maturity matters); Children 13 years and older may be left alone and act as babysitter for up to 12 hours.

18.  Occurs when a child suffers a non- accidental injury that may include severe beatings, burns, fractures, bruises, welts, or other physical problems.

19.  Unexplained bruises, bites, burns, broken bones, or black eyes  Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school  Seems frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home  Shrinks at the approach of adults  Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver In Georgia, Corporal Punishment is legal. Abuse is not. Corporal punishment is any physical punishment of a child to inflict pain as a deterrent to wrongdoing. If pain and bruising are not excessive or unduly severe and result only in short-term discomfort, this is not considered maltreatment. -Georgia DFCS

20.  Occurs when an adult or older child exploits a child for sexual gratification. Sexual abuse is most commonly perpetrated by an individual known to the victim, rarely is the offender a stranger. One- third of all sexual abuse is perpetrated by another child.

21. Difficulty in walking or sitting Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities Reports nightmares or bedwetting Experiences a sudden change in appetite Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior Becomes pregnant or contracts a sexually transmitted disease Runs away Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver

22. Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Newest acknowledged form of child abuse  Sexual activity involving a child in exchange for something of value, or promise thereof, to the child or another person or persons  Child treated as a commercial, sexual object  A form of violence against children  Other terms: Prostituted child Exploited child Domestic minor sex trafficking

23.  Occurs when a parent creates a negative emotional atmosphere for the child. Examples are when the parent makes continued unfavorable comparisons to a sibling, when the parent makes the child feel bad because he or she is not perfect, or when the parent uses shameful forms of punishment.

24. Shows extremes in behavior, such as overly compliant or demanding behavior, extreme passivity, or aggression Inappropriately adult behavior (parenting other children) or inappropriately infantile (frequently rocking or head- banging) Is delayed in physical or emotional development Has attempted suicide Reports a lack of attachment to the parent

25. Immaturity Unrealistic expectations Social isolation Unmet emotional needs Frequent crisis Poor childhood experiences Drug or alcohol problems Mental illness Poor family boundaries ((First Lady’s Children’s Cabinet, 2004)

26. Find a private place to talk to the child Reassure the child Control your reaction Write down the facts Contact the Counselor or Social Worker as soon as possible! Respect the child’s need and legal right for confidentiality Do NOT interview the child! (First Lady’s Children’s Cabinet, 2004)

27. Why? Are you sure this happened? Are you telling the truth? Let me know if it happens again What did you do…? I won’t tell The child needs to feel safe and believed!  (First Lady’s Children’s Cabinet, 2004)

28.  You have a right to know if the investigation is ongoing or completed.  However, due to confidentiality laws, details of the investigation cannot be shared.

29.  Your School Counselor or the School Social Worker is the designated reporter for your school.  Failure to report is a misdemeanor, can result in a fine, and can even cause loss of certification.  A child’s life could depend on your report!

30.  Calhoun Middle 1. Heidi Allen 2. Michelle Doane/ Michelle Knight 3. Amanda Schutz  Calhoun High 1. Kendra Arnold/Peter Coombe 2. Amanda Schutz

31. Georgia General Assembly Legislation. (2006, April). SB 442 - Child Abuse reporting; change certain provisions. Retrieved April 9, 2006 from http://www.legis.state.ga.us.http://www.legis.state.ga.us Georgia General Assembly. (2005). Official Code of Georiga 19-7-5. Retrieved April 8, 2006 from http://www.gapsc.com/Professionalpractices/NEthics.asp. http://www.gapsc.com/Professionalpractices/NEthics.asp Georgia Professional Standards Commission. (2005, October). The Code of Ethics for Educators. Retrieved March 30, 2006 from http://www.gapsc.com.http://www.gapsc.com First Lady’s Children’s Cabinet. (2004). Mandated Reporter Training Curriculum.Georgia: Office of the Governor. Prevent Child Abuse Georgia. (2006). Statistics: Child Abuse and Neglect Calender Year 2004. Retrieved April 9, 2006 from http://www.preventchildabusega.org/html/statistics.html.http://www.preventchildabusega.org/html/statistics.html Prevent Child Abuse Georgia. (2006). How to recognize abuse: Know the indicators. http://www.preventchildabusega.org/html/aboutabuse.html.http://www.preventchildabusega.org/html/aboutabuse.html Prevent Child Abuse Lanier County. (2004). Child Abuse Awareness: A Community Crisis Presentation. 911 call retrieved from Kathy Broyles, Social Services Supervisor. (911 exert used with permission.)