Child Abuse and Neglect DEFINITIONS

Child Abuse and NeglectDEFINITIONS Part of the Child Abuse and Neglect Training Series By Nancy Moral, M.Ed.

In the previous Modules, we learned: Child abuse consists of any act of commission or omission that endangers or impairs a child's physical or emotional health and development. Child abuse includes any damage done to a child which cannot be reasonably explained and which is often represented by an injury or series of injuries appearing to be non-accidental in nature. Click to continue

Definitions to Learn What is…. • A “Child” • “Abuse” – including harm (Physical, Sexual, Emotional) • “Neglect” • “Special Conditions” • Immunity Click to continue

The 3 terms will define are….. • Abuse – including harm (Physical, Sexual, Emotional) • Neglect • Special Conditions Click to continue

Exercise: 1. Read the following slides. 2. Put the definitions in your own words for the following terms: • Abuse • Neglect • Special Conditions Click Enter to continue

DEFINITIONS:ABUSE & NEGLECTNOTICE THAT “SIGNIFICANTLY IMPAIRED” IS BOLDED BELOW. OCCURANCES OF ABUSE NOT CAUSING SIGNIFICANT IMPAIRMENT ARE NOT COVERED IN THE STATE’S DEFINITION OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT THAT WOULD BE PROCECUTE UNDER THIS LAW Abuse Any willful act or threatened act that results in any physical, mental, or sexual injury or harm that causes or is likely to cause the child’s physical, mental, or emotional health to be significantly impaired. Abuse of a child includes acts or omissions. Neglect Occurs when the parent, legal custodian, permanent guardian, adult household member, or other responsible for the child’s welfare or, in the absence of a parent, the person primarily responsible for the child’s welfare deprives a child of, or allows a child to be deprived of, necessary food, clothing, shelter, or medical treatment or permits a child to live in an environment when such deprivation or environment causes the child’s physical, mental, or emotional health to be significantly impaired.

Special Conditions Conditions that may cause a child to be brought to the attention of the department that shall require a response by protective investigations to ensure provision of services such as relative placement, shelter placement or in-home preventive services. These special conditions do not constitute allegations of abuse, neglect, or threatened harm. Examples are when the parent, adult household member or other person responsible for the child’s welfare has been incarcerated, hospitalized or died; needs assistance in caring for a child; is afraid of abusing a child, or is looking for help regarding a child protection issue. Substance/Alcohol Exposed Child Exposure of a child to a controlled substance or alcohol by: 1) The mother’s use of a controlled substance or alcohol during pregnancy when the child, at birth, is demonstrably adversely affected by such usage; or 2) the continued chronic and severe use of a controlled substance or alcohol which impairs the parent’s ability to provide safe care for the child.

Think of the definition of each term, then press “Enter” to see if you were right! • CHILD- any born, unmarried person less than 18 years old who has not been emancipated by order of the court. • ABUSE/HARM (Child):Abuse: Any willful or threatened act or omission that results in any physical, mental, or sexual injury or harm that causes or is likely to cause the child's physical, mental, or emotional health to be significantly impaired. Threatened harm: A situation, circumstances or behavior which leads a prudent person to have reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect has occurred or may occur in the immediate future if no intervention is provided. A behavior that is not accidental, and is likely to result in harm to the child. • NEGLECT: Any act or omission where a child is deprived of, or allowed to be deprived of, necessary supervision, food, clothing, shelter, or medical treatment, or a child is permitted to live in an environment when such deprivation or environment causes the child's physical, mental, or emotional health to be significantly impaired or to be in danger of being significantly impaired. The foregoing circumstances shall not be considered neglect if caused primarily by financial inability unless actual services for relief have been offered to and rejected by the caretaker responsible. • SPECIAL CONDITIONS:A situation that does not rise to the reasonable cause to suspect harm level, but requires intervention. • IMMUNITY: Exemption from any natural or usual liability. Click to continue

Great! • Now that you had time to think about how these terms, there are just a few things to remember…

Did you know?SEE WHAT THESE FLORIDA STATUTES (f.s.) SAY: A defendant charged with a crime …may apply to the trial court for an order of disclosure of information, but he state may use a pseudonym instead of the victim‘s 92.56 f.s. Personnel at the department's central abuse hotline shall determine if the report received meets the statutory definition of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. 5. 39.201 f.s. Click to Continue

Did you know?SEE WHAT THESE FLORIDA STATUTES (F.s.) SAY: In order to protect the rights of the child and the child's parents …all records generated as a result of such reports, shall be confidential 39.202 f.s. Upon completion of the department's child protective investigation, the department may make application to the circuit court for continued restrictive action against any person 39.302 f.s. Click to Continue

Click to Match the Phrases • any born, unmarried person less than 18 years old who has not been emancipated by order of the court. • Any willful or threatened act or omission that results in any physical, mental, or sexual injury or harm that causes or is likely to cause the child's physical, mental, or emotional health to be significantly impaired. • A situation, circumstances or behavior which leads a prudent person to have reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect has occurred or may occur in the immediate future if no intervention is provided. A behavior that is not accidental, and is likely to result in harm to the child. • Any act or omission where a child is deprived of, or allowed to be deprived of, necessary supervision, food, clothing, shelter, or medical treatment, or a child is permitted to live in an environment when such deprivation or environment causes the child's physical, mental, or emotional health to be significantly impaired or to be in danger of being significantly impaired. The foregoing circumstances shall not be considered neglect if caused primarily by financial inability unless actual services for relief have been offered to and rejected by the caretaker responsible. • A situation that does not rise to the reasonable cause to suspect harm level, but requires intervention. • Exemption from any natural or usual liability. • NEGLECT: • CHILD: • IMMUNITY: • ABUSE/HARM (Child): • SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Click to Continue

Good Job! Now that you have a better understanding of the definitions of important words related to child abuse and neglect…… …..Share what you know to protect children!

References Childhelp 2006 (2006) Child Abuse Definitions (Childhelp website item). Retrieved December 19, 2008 from http://www.childhelpusa.org/resources/learning-center/what-is-abuse State of Florida (2006) Florida Department of Children and Families. Retrieved December 19, 2008 from http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/ State of Florida (2006) Florida Department of Children and Families. Retrieved December 19, 2008 from http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childabuseprevention/ State of Florida (1995-2008) The Florida legislature. Retrieved December 19, 2008 from http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/

Child Abuse and Neglect DEFINITIONS