Child Abuse and Neglect Part I

1. Child Abuse and NeglectPart I ViginiaSolan Soc 404

2. Presentation Overview This presentation will provide participants with an overview of child abuse and neglect issues and prevalence. Definitions of abuse, indicators of abuse, Idaho state laws, and mandated reporting requirements will be discussed.  

3. Topics • What is Child Abuse/Neglect • Behavioral and Physical Signs

4. Introduction • You have a unique ability in combating child abuse because you are in a position to observe children over a period of time and note changes and/or to create policy internally to help protect children • By becoming knowledgeable about indicators of abuse, you may help to identify an abused child • Identification can stop the cycle of abuse

5. What is Child Abuse? • Definitions per: Idaho laws for both child abuse and neglect • Prevalence of the different types of abuse – what to be aware of

6. Defining Child Abuse • Forms include physical, emotional, sexual abuse, neglect and abandonment (not covered here) • Knows no boundaries: does not discriminate by age, race, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status or religion

7. Idaho Law – Child Abuse “Abused” means any case in which a child has been the victim of: Conduct or omission resulting in skin bruising, bleeding, malnutrition, burns, fracture of any bone, subdural hematoma, soft tissue swelling, failure to thrive or death, and such condition or death is not justifiably explained or where the history given concerning such condition or death is at variance with the degree or type of such condition or death, or the circumstances indicate that such condition or death may not be the product of an accidental occurrence; or….. Idaho Code 16-1602

8. Idaho Law – Child Abuse • Sexual conduct, including rape, molestation, incest, prostitution, obscene or pornographic photographing, filming or depiction for commercial purposes, or other similar forms of sexual exploitation harming or threatening the child’s health or welfare or mental injury to the child.

9. Idaho State Law - Neglect Under this same code, “neglect” means a child • Who is without proper parental care and control, or subsistence, education, medical, or other care or control necessary for his/her well-being because of the conduct or omission of his/her parents, guardian or other custodian or their neglect or refusal to provide for them; • Whose parents, guardian or other custodian are unable to discharge their responsibilities to and for the child because of incarceration, hospitalization, or other physical or mental incapacity, or • Who has been place for care or adoption in violation of the law

10. Prevalence • A case of child abuse is reported in the United States about every 35 seconds - 3 million each year • 62% of these reports are for neglect • 78.5 % of perpetrators of child maltreatment are a parent (Child Welfare League of America [National Data Analysis System], 2006) • Overall, out-of-home sexual abuse constitutes less than 5% of cases reported to CPS.

11. Prevalence • Child abuse and neglect is the leading cause of death for children age 4 and under • 1,490 children died in 2004 from abuse or neglect (Child Maltreatment 2004) • 93% of fatalities from abuse occur before age 7 (Child Maltreatment, 2004) • 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will become a victim of sexual assault before age 18 (Finkelhor, 1992)

12. Why child abuse occurs • Issue of power and control…. • Stressors and the exacerbation of abuse

13. Stressors • Unwanted child • Special needs child • Hyperactive child • Child that reminds parent of someone they don’t like • Parent was abused • Economics • Spouse who is gone • Divorce • Alcohol and drugs • Emotionally immature • Postpartum depression • Unrealistic expectations • Mental illness

14. Behavioral and Physical Signs

15. Looking at Indicators of Abuse • What might be an indicator of physical abuse? • What might be an indicator of sexual abuse? • What might be an indicator of emotional abuse? • What might be an indicator of physical neglect?

16. General Signs of Abuse (Child) • Shows change in behavior, school performance • Has not rec’d help for physical/medical problem • Displays learning or concentrating problems • Always watchful (as if expecting something to happen) • Lacks adult supervision • Overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn • Arrives early, stays late, avoids home Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway. “Recognizing Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect” http://www.childgateway.gov

17. Parental Indicators • What might be some indicators that the parents are abusing or neglecting a child or children? • What might be some behavioral indicators towards adults/parents that children are giving that might be signs of abuse or neglect?

18. General Signs of Abuse (Parent) • Shows little concern for child • Denies or blames child for problems at home or school • Asks teachers/caretakers to enforce inappropriate physical discipline • Sees child as entirely bad, worthless, burdensome • Unrealistic academic or athletic demands of child • Looks primarily toward child for care, attention, and satisfaction of emotional needs • Abuses drugs and alcohol • Frequently blames or belittles the child Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway. “Recognizing Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect” http://www.childgateway.gov

19. General Signs of Abuse (Parent & Child) • Rarely touch, look at each other • Consider their relationship entirely negative • State that they do not like each other Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway. “Recognizing Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect” http://www.childgateway.gov

20. Types of Child Abuse • Physical • Emotional • Sexual Abuse • Neglect

22. Physical Abuse • Burns • Bruises • Fractures • Bites • Internal injuries • Pinching damage • Cuts • Auditory, dental, ocular, or brain damage, etc.

23. Physical Abuse – What to Look For When the child… • Unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, or black eyes • Fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school. • 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. • Patterned bruising • Hair loss with accumulations of blood under the scalp When the parent/caregiver… • Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for the child's injury. • Describes the child as "evil," or in some other very negative way. • Uses harsh physical discipline with the child. • Has a history of abuse as a child. Source: National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information (DHHS)

24. Physical Abuse - Accidental Injury and Abusive Injury Remember, some injuries require a level of dexterity a child may not possess!

25. Facts about Injuries in children • Keep in mind whether the child is old enough developmentally to be able to obtain an injury in a way a caregiver is explaining • Injuries to backs of hands are rarely accidental (e.g. burns) • Injuries to the buttocks, genitals, abdomen, back, and the sides of the body, particularly the side of the face are often signs of abuse. Abdomen is highly unusual and the genitals in generally indicative of intentional harm • Age is critical in evaluating physical injuries (infant vs. toddler and one vs. multiple) – see next slide • Generally simple falls may result in injuries, but tend not to result in severe injuries -Taken from Monteleone, J. ,1998

26. Facts about Injuries in children • A fall from a bed is impossible before the child can roll over. With some exceptions, a child can’t roll over until he is at least 4 months of age. It is not unusual for children to be 6 months of age before reaching this milestone • A fall down the stairs isn’t plausible until the child can crawl. Crawling happens at about 10 months and walking about 1 year • Turning on hot water knobs about 2 yrs of age -Examples taken from Monteleone,1998