Child Abuse Identification, Prevention

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Child Abuse Identification, Prevention
Reporting Susan Nisbet, Consultant
2009 Training
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2006 Child Abuse Statistics

• 862,276 Children in Oregon
• 12,043 Oregon children were victims of child
  abuse and neglect
• 17 died as a result of familial abuse or neglect

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IdentificationWhat is Child Abuse? ORS 419B.005
defines child abuse as

• Sexual Abuse
• Sexual Exploitation
• Neglect
• Exposure to Meth labs controlled substances

• Assault
• Mental Injury
• Child Selling
• Threatened Harm
• Rape

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Child Abuse Statistics 2006

• Physical abuse 28.6
• Mental injury 8.9
• Neglect drug affected 20.2
• Sexual abuse 14.0
• Threat of harm 3.5
• (DHS 2006)

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IdentificationWhat is Child Abuse?

• Any assault of a child and any physical injury to
  a child caused by other than accidental means,
  including any injury which appears to be at
  variance with the explanation.
• Does the explanation match the injury?
• Is there a pattern of injury?
• What is the location of the injury?

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IdentificationWhat is Child Abuse?

• Any mental injury of a child, which shall include
  only observable and substantial impairment of the
  childs mental or psychological ability to
  function caused by mental cruelty.
• How do we recognize a harm to a childs ability
  to think, reason, or have feelings?
• What are symptoms at school?

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IdentificationWhat is Child Abuse?

• Threatened harm, subjecting a child to
  substantial risk of harm to childs health or
  welfare
• Living with a convicted sex offender
• Living in serious domestic violence situations
• Siblings to victims of death or serious injury
• Child selling

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IdentificationWhat is Child Abuse?

• Negligent treatment or maltreatment, failure to
  provide adequate food, shelter, clothing or
  medical care that is likely to endanger the
  health or welfare
• Permitting a person under 18 years of age to
  enter or remain in a place where Methamphetamine
  is being manufactured
• Unlawful exposure to a controlled substance
  substantial risk of harm the childs health or
  safety

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IdentificationWhat is Child Abuse?

• Exposure to Meth labs controlled substances is
  neglect

• video

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IdentificationWhat is Child Abuse?

• Rape of a child, includes but is not limited to
  rape, sodomy, unlawful sexual penetration and
  incest
• Sexual abuse as defined in ORS 163
• Sexual exploitation, including use of children
  for pornography and prostitution

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Identification Rape, Sexual Abuse Sexual
Exploitation

• Sexual contact fondling, intercourse, vaginal or
  anal penetration or oral/genital contact for the
  purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual
  desire of either party
• Sexual contact between an adult and a minor
• Sexual contact between minors
• Exposing children to pornography or using them
  for pornography
• Having sex in front of children

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Identification - Prevention

• Most sex offenders are strangers.
• True or False?

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Identification - Prevention

• FALSE Nearly all sex offenders are known to
  the child. They are relatives, family friends,
  coaches, pastors, teachers
• Sex offenders intentionally live, work or
  volunteer where they have opportunities for
  regular contact with children.

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Identifying Inappropriate Behavior

• Grooming behaviors may include
• Improper language, jokes, comments
• Improper email, letters, notes
• Discussion of personal or sex life
• Lack of physical boundaries
• Flirting, inappropriate attention
• Gifts
• Overrides authority of parents or staff

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Help Prevent Child Abuse

• Talk with your supervisor if you notice any
  inappropriate or questionable behavior.
• Be open to the possibility that someone you know
  may have abused children. A co-worker, friend or
  family member.
• Do not disregard rumors of sex abuse or child
  abuse.
• Remember that children rarely lie about abuse.

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Identifying Appropriate Behavior

• Be aware of your own behavior and maintain
  appropriate boundaries with children
• Be a role model
• If you are uncertain about your own behavior,
  seek advice from your supervisor
• When in doubt, err on the side of caution

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Identifying Inappropriate Behavior

• Examples of inappropriate behavior may include
• Inviting or entertaining students in your home
• Asking students to work for you outside of school
• Transporting students in your vehicle
• Violating the personal space of, touching or
  making inappropriate comments to students
• Posting inappropriate material or communicating
  with students via the Internet

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If a Child Discloses Abuse

• Remain calm
• Emphasize that the child did the right thing by
  telling
• Stress that the child is not to blame
• Report the abuse immediately to law enforcement
  or DHS
• Do not question the child
• Do not contact the childs parents
• Do not notify the alleged abuser
• Avoid making promises you cannot keep

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REPORTING ABUSE
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Mandatory Reporters

• Mandatory reporters are those people required by
  law to report child abuse.
• All school employees are mandatory reporters.
• Notifying your supervisor does not fulfill your
  reporting obligations. You must report to law
  enforcement or the Department of Human Services.

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When To Report Abuse

• Report child abuse immediately. What does
  immediately mean?
• Example If a child tells you in the morning
  that he/she is the victim of abuse
• do not wait until school is out to report your
  concern.
• do not wait until you finished attending
  meetings, making phone calls, etc.
• do make the report right away.

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HOW TO REPORT

• Make a telephone call to the Department of Human
  Service Child Protective Services and fax a
  copy of the District Child Abuse Reporting Form.
• OR
• Contact local law enforcement.

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HOW TO REPORT

• Complete the District reporting form
• Contact building Principal
• Keep a copy for your records
• Provide a copy to your Principal, Counselor
  Superintendent

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Why Should I Report?

• It is required by law and District Policy that
  you report.
• To protect the child you are concerned about as
  well as other possible victims.

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What if I Dont Report?

• Failure to report is a violation of the law.
• Mandatory reporters have also been sued for
  damages in civil court for failing to report.
• You could be disciplined by the District and/or
  Teacher Standards Practices Commission (TSPC).

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FAQ Reporting Abuse

• Q As a mandatory reporter, am I only obligated
  to report concerns I have at work?
• Q Can I be sued for a making a report?
• Q After I report, will my name be made public?
• Q What if the abuse happened a long time ago?
• Q Why should I report this time? They never do
  anything when I call to report suspected child
  abuse.

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Self Care

• Reporting child abuse is stressful. Remember to
  take care of yourself during the process.
• Consider consulting with your supervisor or
  healthcare provider to process your experience.

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For More Information

• Department of Human Services Child Protective
  Services www.oregon.gov/DHS/children/index.shtml
• Teacher Standards Practices Commission
  www.tspc.state.or.us
• ORS 339.370 ORS Chapter 419B www.leg.state.or.us
  /ors/
• The Center for Missing Exploited Children
  www.missingkids.com
• The Status of Children in Oregons Child
  Protection System 2006 www.oregon.gov/DHS/abuse/pu
  blications/children/abusestats2006.pdf

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