Child Abuse: Knowledge and Protocol for Counsleors Lauren McNair Timothy Kadehjian

1. Child Abuse:Knowledge and Protocol for CounsleorsLauren McNairTimothy Kadehjian

2. What is Abuse? … “the physical and mental injury, sexual abuse, negligent treatment, or maltreatment of a child under age 18 by a person who is responsible for the child’s welfare” (Capuzzi, 80) (Lambie, 2005)

3. National Model Benchmarks/Competencies • Standard A: Acquire Knowledge, attitudes, interpersonal skills to help understand/respect self and others • A1: Acquire Self-Knowledge • PS:A1.1, A1.5, A1.6, A1.7 • A2: Acquire Interpersonal Skills • PS:A2.1, A2.4, A2.5, A2.6 • Standard C: Understanding safety and survival skills • C1: Acquire Personal Safety Skills • PS:C1.1, C1.2, C1.3, C1.4, C1.5, C1.6, C1.7, C1.10 (ASCA National Model, 2003)

4. MA Model Benchmarks/Competencies • Personal/Social Development • PS1: Attitudes, behaviors, knowledge and skills that promote identity formation, personal responsibility and selfdirection • PS1-1, PS1-3, PS1-4 • PS2: Learners will develop and demonstrate: attitudes, behaviors and interpersonal skills to work and relate effectively with others; • PS2-1, PS2-2, PS2-4 (MA Model, MASCA.org)

5. What are theDifferent Types of Abuse? • Physical Abuse • Non-accidental physical injury to a child • Sexual Abuse • Sexual involvement imposed upon a child by an adult • Emotional Abuse • Behavior that impairs a child’s emotional development or sense of self-worth • Neglect • A failure to provide for a child’s basic needs (Lambie, 2005)

6. Statistics of Abuse • An estimated 906,000 children are victims of abuse & neglect every year • 1,500 children die every year from child abuse and neglect 4.11 each day and 79% are younger than 4 years old • Children who experience child abuse & neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile, 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult, and 30% more likely to commit violent crime. • Children who have been sexually abused are 2.5 times more likely develop alcohol abuse and are 3.8 times more likely develop drug addictions • Nearly 2/3’s of the people in treatment for drug abuse reported being abused as children • 1/3 of abused and neglected children will eventually victimize their own children • The rate of child abuse is estimated to be 3 times greater than is reported. (Administration for Children & Families of the US Department of Health & Human Services “Child Maltreatment Report 2003”) (Childhelp 1959 – 2009)

7. Effects on Development • Key Idea • The type of abuse and when it occurs depends on how it effects an individual - example Sexual abuse in: Infancy and Early Childhood = cognitive delays, anxiety, withdrawal, inappropriate sexual behavior Middle Childhood = School avoidance, PTSD, fears, depression, low self- esteem, sexual behavior Adolescence = Poor academic performance, depression, suicide, substance abuse, running away (Wenar, C. & Kerig, P. 2006)

8. Identifying Suspected Abuse/Neglect • Counselors should know the signs of abuse/neglect • Signs of Sexual Abuse • Difficulty waking/sitting • Sudden change in appetite • Unusual sexual knowledge or behavior • Reports of being sexually abused by another person • Signs of Physical Abuse • Burns, bites, bruises, black eye, etc. • Fear of parents or going home • Hesitant around other adults

9. Identifying Suspected Abuse/Neglect • Signs of Emotional Abuse • Habits such as sucking, rocking, or biting • Demanding, aggressive, or angry behavior • attention-seeking behavior • Signs of Neglect • Absence from school • Lacks needed dental care • Begs or steals food, or money for food • Child reports that no one is home to care for child • If the counselor has any suspicion that abuse is taking place, a report must be filed.

10. Counselor conduct • Make boundaries clear • Example: not everything can be confidential • “I may have to report certain things” • Responsibilities to Students • Obligated to student; Treat with respect and as an individual • Do not impose values on the student! • Counselor knows laws, regulations, and policies of the school and community on situations such as abuse, crisis/suicide intervention, etc.

11. Counselor Conductcont’d • “Confidentiality” • Inform students of purposes, goals, and rules under which they receive counseling—especially limits of confidentiality • Such as possible necessity for consulting, legal/authoritative restraints • Keeps information confidential unless disclosure is required • Preventing “clear and imminent danger to the student or others”—Legal requirements • Diversity • Be aware of the diverse culture within the school and expand knowledge (ASCA.org)

12. Counselor Conductcont’d • Appropriate Referrals • Counselor knows when to make the appropriate referral to outside resources when needed—if needs of student cannot be met inside the school • Should be familiar with the community you are working in • Professional Relationships • Counselor will maintain a professional relationship with all faculty • Positive relationships with faculty = working together to help potentially at-risk students = Everyone should be involved!

13. Reporting Abuse: MA Regulations • 51A –Chapter 119 Protection and Care of Children, and Proceedings Against Them • Persons Required to Report Cases of Injured, Abused, or Neglected Children; Immunity; Privilege; Penalty. • “…public or private school teacher, educational administrator, guidance or family counselor, day care worker or any person paid to care for or work with a child in any public or private facility…” • Any reason to believe that a child under 18 years of age is suffering physical or emotional injury • Report must be filled out 48 hours after oral communication

14. Reporting Abuse • DOs and DON’Ts of Suspecting Abuse/Neglect: • File a verbal report immediately • File a written report within 48 hours of the verbal report • Don’t worry about WHO the alleged abuser is • Don’t worry about whether the abuser is a caretaker • Don’t worry about HIPAA—child abuse laws are exempt from HIPAA