Combo with "Child Abuse and Neglect (CAAN)" Module 1 and 2

Which of the following actions can help stop child abuse and neglect?

1) Helping a stressed-out parent by baby-sitting, making a meal for their family or lending an understanding ear. 2) Learning the signs and symptoms of child abuse so you can recognize them when you see the "red flags." 3) Reporting known or suspected child abuse to the police or local child protective services agency. Answer: All of the above

How many people report child abuse when faced with an actual situation?

1/3

On average, child abuse is reported somewhere in the United States every

10 seconds

Physical abuse

2The mistreatment of a child by a person responsible for the child's welfare that results in injury or harm to the child. (p.4)

Verbal abuse

A form of emotional abuse that involves excessive yelling, shaming, belittling and/or teasing of a child.

Physical and Emotional Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect on Children:

Academic problems (school learning problems, underachievement, truancy) Behavior problems: (passive or withdrawn, active or aggressive, self-destructive, drug use, impulsivity) Sexual problems: (sexually inappropriate behavior, promiscuity or withdrawal) Confusion about identity: (low self-esteem, poor self-image) Anxiety, loss of trust, depression Medical/dental problems: (fertility problems, chronic pain, stress disorders)

Child abuse

Any non-accidental injury, sexual battery, or injury to the intellectual or psychological capacity of a child by the parent, adult household member, or other person responsible for the child's welfare. (p.4)

Child

Any person under the age of 18 years.

Mandated Reporter

Any person, including, but not limited to, any: a) physician, osteopathic physician, medical examiner, chiropractic physician, nurse, or hospital personnel engaged in the admission, examination, care, or treatment of persons; b) Health or mental health professional other than one listed in paragraph a); c) Practitioner who relies solely on spiritual means for healing; d) school teacher or other school official or personnel; e) social worker, child care worker, or other professional child care provider, foster care, residential, or institutional worker; f) law enforcement officer; or g) judge - who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a child is abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent, legal custodian, caregiver, or person responsible for the child's welfare shall report such knowledge or suspicion to the department (DCF) in the manner prescribed in subsection (2) of 39.201. (p.5)

Harm

Anything to a child's health or welfare that can occur when any person: a) inflicts, or allows to be inflicted, upon the child physical, mental, or emotional injury; b) commits, or allows to be committed, sexual battery, or lewd or lascivious acts against a child; c) allows, encourages, or forces the sexual exploitation of a child; d) exploits a child, or allows a child to be exploited; e) abandons a child; f) neglects a child; g) exposes a child to a controlled substance or alcohol; h) uses mechanical devices, unreasonable restraints, or extended periods of isolation to control a child; i) engages in violent behavior that demonstrates a wanton disregard for the presence of a child and could reasonably result in serious injury to the child; j) negligently fails to protect a child in his or her care from inflicted physical, mental, or sexual injury caused by the acts of another; k) has allowed a child's sibling to die as a result of abuse, abandonment, or neglect.

Physical Neglect Indicators (Behavioral)

Begging, stealing food Extended stays at school (early arrival, late departure) Constant fatigue, listlessness or falling asleep in class Alcohol or drug abuse Delinquency (thefts) States there is no caregiver

Match indicators with category: Indicators: Unexplained bruises or welts and unexplained burns.

Category: Physical Indicator of Physical Abuse (p.10)

Physical and Emotional Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect on Caregivers:

Challenging to deal with disruptive behavior in children Not trained to deal with psychological issues It is heartbreaking to worry about the children you know Stress reactions Confusion/apprehension about what to do Fear of reporting

What is the single, leading cause of death for children ages four and younger?

Child abuse and neglect

Physical Neglect Indicators (Physical)

Consistent hunger, poor hygiene, over/under dressed for the climate Consistent lack of supervision, especially in dangerous activities over long periods of time Unattended physical problems or medical needs (anemia, urinary infections, diarrhea, malnutrition) Abandonment

Examples of emotional child abuse:

Conveying that a child is worthless Terrorizing a child Witnessing domestic violence Not allowing child to have friends Name calling Not allowing child to eat, drink, use bathroom

Three children die of child abuse in the home in the United States each

Day

How to Handle Accusations of Child Abuse and Neglect: Don't become _________. Cooperate fully and _________ with authorities. Get statements from colleagues about your _________. Know the ____ related to abuse and neglect. Talk to a ______ to ensure your rights and those of family members and helpers. Remember that ___________________ you have put in place such as your discipline procedures and incident reports will help you. Work with your ________ and __________ to handle the impact of the accusation on the school, other parents and students.

Defensive ... Factually ... Character ... Laws ... Lawyer ... Protective policies ... Director ... Colleagues

Sexual Abuse Indicators (Physical)

Difficulty in walking/sitting Torn, shredded, stained or bloody underclothing Pain or itching in genital area Bruises or bleeding in external genitalia, vaginal or anal areas, mouth or throat

Be observant and aware of characteristic signs of child abuse as seen in the child and parent.

Do

Become involved and report any 'suspected' incident of child abuse to the authorities. The law states that if you do so in 'good faith' you cannot be prosecuted.

Do

Encourage the abusive parent to contact a community organization or service for help.

Do

Realize that abusive parents are in need of help and most often can be successfully treated.

Do

Take action when you suspect or observe abuse and/or neglect, or the signs of possible abuse or neglect.

Do

Assume that all abusive parents are 'bad' and cannot be changed.

Don't

Be afraid to become involved - you may be the one to save a child's life.

Don't

Be influenced by gossip or second hand information. It may serve only to involve innocent parties.

Don't

Lose your temper with an abusive parent. It only serves to put him/her on the defensive.

Don't

Make excuses for child abuse or ignore the warning characteristics.

Don't

Remain ignorant about the situation.

Don't

Wait to suggest that help is needed.

Don't

Immunity

Exemption from civil or criminal charges resulting from reporting "in good faith." (p. 5)

The Impact of Trauma, Abuse, and Neglect:

Extreme anxiety Depression Inability to form healthy relationships Memory Loss Short attention span Easily distracted Poor self esteem Sleeping or eating disorder

Neglect

Failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care or needed supervision.

Emotional neglect

Failure to provide support, acceptance, attention, warmth, supervision and normal living experiences for a child to the extent that the child is impaired in ability to function normally in performance and behavior.

Child molesters get their sexual gratification only from children.

False

Strangers pose the greatest risk of sexual abuse to children.

False

Emotional Abuse or Neglect Indicators (Behavioral)

Habit disorders (sucking, biting, rocking, etc.) Conduct disorders (antisocial, destructive) Neurotic traits (sleep disorders, inhibition of play) Psychoneurotic reactions (hysteria, obsession, compulsion, phobias) Behavior extremes (compliant/passive, aggressive/demanding) Overly adaptive behavior (inappropriate adult, inappropriate infant) Developmental lags (mental, emotional) Self destructive behavior or attempted suicide

Communities

Have the responsibility to establish and maintain required resources and educate families and individuals on child abuse and neglect prevention

The average age that child molesters first attack a child is when they (the attackers) are:

In their teens

Law Enforcement and State Attorney's Offices

Investigates cases of child abuse and neglect and has victim advocacy programs to provide information and support through the legal system.

Examples of Neglect:

Leaving a child alone Leaving a child in a place that is not safe Lack of attention Not providing clothing, food, or shelter Not providing necessary medical attention Not providing appropriate schooling Not providing protection from hazards (p. 9)

As a child care provider it is your duty and your ____________________ according to Chapter 39 F.S. to report any _________ case of child abuse or neglect. You don't have to prove anything. That is the Investigator's job. You should report that you _______ abuse or neglect to have occurred.

Legal responsibility ... Suspected ... Suspect

What can you do to prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome?

Make sure those who care for young children know the dangers of shaking a baby; be careful during play or physical activity.

Who is mandated to report suspected child abuse cases? __________________ - Any person, including, but not limited to, any: a) _________, osteopathic physician, medical examiner, chiropractic physician, _____ , or hospital personnel engaged in the admission, examination, care, or treatment of persons; b) ______ or mental health professional other than (one listed in paragraph a); c) ____________ who relies solely on spiritual means for healing; d) ______________ or other school official or personnel; e) _____________, child care worker, or other professional child care provider, foster care, residential, or institutional worker; f) law enforcement officer; or g) judge who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a child is abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent, legal custodian, caregiver, or person responsible for the child's welfare shall report such knowledge or suspicion to the department (DCF) in the manner prescribed in subsection (2) of 39.201.

Mandatory reporter ... Physician ... Nurse ... Health ... Practitioner ... School teacher ... Social worker

The effects of child abuse and neglect can be serious and permanently affect children's ______, ________ and _________ development. Recent scientific studies of the brain reveal that the first years of a child's life are critical to development. A child must receive adequate ___________ to ensure that nerve cells in the brain develop fully. Negative experiences, like ______ or _____, are extremely detrimental in early years. The effects of abuse on a child can begin before a mother even gives birth.

Mental ... Physical ... Emotional ... Stimulation ... Trauma ... Abuse

Physical and Emotional Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect on Family:

Mistrust: family isolates itself Ineffective: problems get bigger Violent Non-supportive Dysfunctional Poor role model

Florida Abuse Hotline

Operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll free telephone number 800-962-2873.

What are some examples of things that could be shared with you or talked about that could help you recognize signs of abuse or neglect?

Parent blames or belittles child Parent talks about child as bad or evil Parent smells of alcohol/drugs or seems to be under the influence Parent fails to keep appointments Parent seems unconcerned with child Parent mentions financial problems Parent talks about divorce, death, or illness Parent admits to alcohol or substance abuse Parent talks about domestic violence or shows signs

_______ of abused children may feel that you are a threat. They may be hostile and ungrateful toward you since they feel jealous, in competition, inadequate, or afraid you will learn their secrets and report them.

Parents

What can shaking a baby or young child cause?

Permanent brain damage, paralysis, blindness, seizures, developmental delays, broken bones, death

Parental/Family Risk Factors:

Personality factors (Feelings of insecurity, Lack of trust, Low tolerance for frustration, Poor impulse control, Controlling, Depression) Childhood history of abuse Family structure (single parents) Social Isolation Marital Problems, Divorce Abuse - Alcohol/Drugs Death/illness Lack of parenting skills Financial problems or unemployment Age

Medical Programs and Community Agencies

Places where staff provides attention to victims of child abuse and neglect and provides counseling for the abused, the abuser, or family members.

Physical and Emotional Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect on Society:

Poor employability skills Poor social interaction skills Social withdrawal (leading to isolation) Repeated patterns of abuse/neglect Culture continues to accept violence as a part of life Higher medical and social service costs Lost human potential Increased crime rate

Child Risk Factors:

Premature birth/birth defects Chronic or serious illness Physical, mental, or emotional disability Temperament-slow or difficulty warming up to others Aggression behavior problems ADD Childhood Drama A personal attribute/characteristics identified by a parent or undesirable

Legal Agencies

Provide divorce, domestic violence injunctions, or guardian ad litem services

Department of Children and Families (DCF)

Provides a spectrum of services to preserve and protect the well-being of children and families.

Misconception: Child molesters prefer very young children.

Reality: 14% select children 5 years or younger. 46% select children between 6-11 age group. 33% select young adults. 7% choose various ages.

Misconception: The child molester is a sexually frustrated person.

Reality: 50% of child molesters are married. Sexuality is not the only issue in pedophilia; identification, expression problems and the need for power and control are also issues.

Misconception: Children are at greater risk of sexual victimization from "gays" homosexuals) than from straight (heterosexuals) adults.

Reality: 51% of men selected female children 21% selected both sexes Females victimized 2-1 83% of child molesters are heterosexual

Misconception: Children are most likely to be sexually assaulted by a stranger.

Reality: 75-95 percent of offenders are known by and may be related to the child.

Misconception: The child molester is insane.

Reality: 95% are not psychotic.

Misconception: Child molesters work in groups.

Reality: 95% of child molesters act alone.

Misconception: Nonviolent sexual behavior between a child and adult is not emotionally damaging to the child.

Reality: Although child sexual abuse may involve subtle rather than extreme force, nearly all victims will experience confusion, shame, guilt, anger and lowered sense of self-esteem, though they may reveal no obvious outward signs.

Misconception: Child molesters commit other crimes.

Reality: Approximately 50% of convicted child molesters have no other criminal record.

Misconception: The sexual abuse of a child is an isolated, onetime incident.

Reality: Child sexual abuse is usually a situation that develops gradually over a period of time, and the sexual abuse occurs repeatedly.

Misconception: If children did not want sex, they could say "stop."

Reality: Children generally do not question the behavior of adults. They are often coerced by bribes, threats and use of authority.

Misconception: The child molester is an alcoholic or drug addict.

Reality: Drug use is essentially nonexistent with child molesters except to break down the child's inhibitions.

Misconception: Child molesters are "dirty old men."

Reality: In a recent study of convicted child molesters, 80 percent were found to have committed their first offense before the age of thirty.

Misconception: Children lie or fantasize about sexual activities with adults.

Reality: In developmental terms, young children cannot make up explicit sexual information: they must be exposed to it. They speak from their own experiences. Sometimes a parent will try to get a child to report sexual abuse falsely. Primary indicators of such a report are the child's inability to describe explicitly or illustrate the act, or a grossly inconsistent account.

Misconception: When a boy is sexually abused, the molesting is perpetrated by male homosexuals.

Reality: Most child sexual abuse is perpetrated by men who are heterosexual and do not find sex with other men at all attractive. Many child molesters abuse both boys and girls.

Misconception: The child molester, over time, will progress to increasingly violent acts.

Reality: Only about 18% of child molesters show any increase in force used. 9% committed violent sexual assaults, 1% of those resulting in death.

Misconception: Males who were sexually abused as boys all grow up to abuse children sexually.

Reality: Only portions of abused boys go on to abuse children.

Misconception: Children provoke sexual abuse by their seductive behavior.

Reality: Seductive behavior may be the result but is never the cause of sexual abuse. The responsibility lies with the adult offender.

Misconception: The molester is retarded.

Reality: There are no differences between the convicted child molester's abilities and that of most of the general public.

These children need a close one-to-one relationship to develop and grow normally. They often ______ warmth, hugs and affection at first.

Reject

Examples of physical child abuse:

Scalding a child with hot water Slapping, hitting, shaking or shoving Beating w/belt, shoe, or other object Pulling a child's hair Burning w/lighter, match, cigarette, iron Breaking a child's bones Locking a child in a closet or imprisonment Painful punishment: kneeling, standing for a long time

Abused and neglected children have very poor ___________. Important adults in their lives have had unrealistic expectations for these children, and they often are led to believe that they caused their own abuse.

Self-images

Sexual abuse

Sexual contact or interaction between a child and an adult or older child. Includes indecent exposure, fondling, touching sexual organs, forcible rape, sodomy, exploitation, and showing pornography. (p. 4)

Institutional abuse or neglect

Situations of known or suspected child abuse or neglect which occurs at the institution where the person allegedly perpetrating the child abuse or neglect is an employee of a private school, public or private child care center, residential home, institution, program, or agency or any other person at such institution responsible for the child's care.

They may be ____ in one or more areas of their development (motor, speech, and behavior.)

Slow

Emotional Abuse or Neglect Indicators (Physical)

Speech and language disorders Lags in physical development Failure to thrive

Social/Environmental Risk Factors:

Stressful life or community (hurricanes) Low socioeconomic status/poverty Homelessness Lack of access to medical care, health care insurance, child care and social services Dangerous/violent neighborhood Community violence Cultural acceptance of abuse

How can you cope with a crying baby or child?

Take deep, slow breaths, take a break, ask for help, count to 10.

Individuals

Teach children about child abuse and neglect issues. You must be alert for signs of abuse or neglect. Give emotional support to victims of abuse and neglect and support to programs that work to prevent child maltreatment.

Child Protective Services (CPS)

The designated social services agency (in most communities) to receive, investigate, and provide rehabilitation services to children and families with problems of child maltreatment.

4 ways to make a report:

The four ways abuse and neglect reports can be made to the Florida Abuse Hotline are: telephone, fax, TDD (telephone device for the deaf), and online.

Children who have been abused may not _____ other people. Their experiences have shown them that getting close to people and trusting them causes discomfort and pain.

Trust

Their behavior may be at one of ____ extremes: difficult to manage, destructive, and irritable, or unusually shy and anxious to please.

Two

Physical Abuse Indicators (Physical)

Unexplained bruises or welts Unexplained burns Unexplained broken bones Unexplained lacerations or abrasions Domestic violence

Examples of sexual child abuse:

Using a child in pornography Having intercourse or oral sex w/child Fondling a child's genitals Having a child touch another person's genitals Showing x-rated material to a child

Physical Abuse Indicators (Behavioral)

Wary of adult contact Apprehensive when other children cry Behavioral extremes: aggressive or withdrawn Frightened of parents Afraid to go home Reports injury by parents Shows anxiety about normal activities (napping, eating, etc.) Easily startled Wearing long sleeves/pants in warm weather Banging, hitting or threatening play

Inadequate supervision

When a child is left alone in a situation beyond their physical and emotional development level or when a child is left in the care of someone who does not provide adequate supervision.

Lack of adequate clothing/good hygiene

When a child suffers or is likely to suffer, from physical or emotional health conditions resulting from inadequate clothing, improper hygiene and uncleanness.

Lack of medical/dental care

When a medical or dental condition is left untreated, possibly resulting in serious or long-term harm to the child.

Lack of providing access to education

When education is not enforced by the parents, thereby contributing to the child's absence from school - leading to the lack of education and leading to truancy.

lack of adequate nutrition

When the caretaker has regularly failed to provide or have available adequate food to the child, which can cause malnutrition over a long period of time.

Lack of adequate shelter

When the child is exposed to structurally unsafe housing, exposed wiring, inadequate or unsafe heating, or unsanitary housing conditions.

Lack of love and attention (failure to thrive)

When the parents deny satisfying or fulfilling relationships, thus avoiding most interactions as a method of avoiding rejection and failure. The lack of support or emotional care or love can cause the infant and/or child's weight to fall below the fifth percentile for age.

Sexual Abuse Indicators (Behavioral)

Withdrawal, fantasy or infantile behavior Bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual behavior or knowledge Poor peer relationships Delinquency or runaway Reports sexual assault by caregiver