making a difference: mandate to report, responsibility to prevent child abuse webinar for wv...
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Making a Difference: Mandate to Report, Responsibility to Prevent Child Abuse Webinar for WV School-based Health Centers, Oct. 4, 2012TRANSCRIPT
MAKING A DIFFERENCEMandate to Report, Responsibility to Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect
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Overview
This webinar will explore how to identify and report suspected abuse and neglect, and examine ways to build protective factors that prevent child abuse and neglect.
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Learning Objectives
Demonstrate knowledge of signs of child abuse and neglect.
Demonstrate understanding how to report suspected child abuse and neglect.
Identify research-based protective factors that prevent child maltreatment.
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About Child Abuse and Neglect
Section 1.
About Abuse & Neglect
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Facts about Child Maltreatment
130 years since first recognition of child abuse in U.S.
Child maltreatment remains a serious problem in U.S.
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Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have long-
term effects.
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Facts about Child Maltreatment
The estimated costs of treating the effects of child maltreatment are over $80 billion per year.
(Source: Prevent Child Abuse America)
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Facts about Child Maltreatment
In the nation (2010)3.3 million CPS referrals of child maltreatment.695,000 child victims.Over 75% of all substantiated maltreatment is
neglectOver 80% of perpetrators are parentsNearly 80% of deaths are < 4 years old.
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Facts about Child Maltreatment
In West Virginia (2010)32,244 CPS referrals.4,133 substantiated cases. 3,961 child victims.8 children died.
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Child Abuse is Declining in WV
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What are some potential warning signs and indicators?
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What are some physical indicators of possible physical
abuse?
Physical IndicatorsQuestionable bruisesQuestionable burnsQuestionable fractures (in various stages
of healing)Questionable cuts and scrapes (to mouth,
eyes, external genitalia)
What are some behavioral indicators of possible physical
abuse?Behavioral IndicatorsUncomfortable with physical contactWary of adult contactsBehavioral extremesAfraid to go homeWears inappropriate clothing for season to
hide injuries Self destructive
What are some physical indicators of possible child
neglect?
Physical IndicatorsConsistent hunger, poor hygiene,
inappropriate clothingConsistent lack of supervisionUnattended physical or health problemsAbandonment
What are some behavioral indicators of possible child
neglect?
Behavioral IndicatorsBegging, stealing foodConstant fatigue, falling asleepStates there is no caregiverFrequently absentShunned by peersSelf destructive
What are some physical indicators of possible sexual
abuse?
Physical IndicatorsDifficulty walking or sittingTorn, stained or bloody underwear / diaperBruises or bleeding in external genitaliaMassive weight change
What are some behavioral indicators of possible sexual
abuse?Behavioral IndicatorsWithdrawal, chronic depressionOverly compliant, passive behavior aimed at
maintaining a low profile.Hostility or aggression.Unusual sexual behavior or knowledge.Unusually seductive behaviors with peers
and adults.
What are some physical indicators of possible
emotional abuse?
Physical IndicatorsSpeech disordersLags in physical developmentFailure to thrive
What are some behavioral indicators of possible
emotional abuse?
Behavioral IndicatorsBehavior extremes: compliant, passive,
aggressive, demanding, rageful.Overly adaptive behavior: “Parents” other
children inappropriately.Inappropriately infantile or emotionally needy.Self-destructive, attempted suicide.
Mandate to Report
Section 2.
All About Reporting
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Who Must ReportWV Code §49-6A-6
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New Mandated ReportersWho Must Report
Per SB 161 (effective June 8, 2012)
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youth camp administrator or counselor
employee, coach or volunteer of an entity that provides organized activities for children
commercial film or photographic print processor
Additional Requirements Regarding Child Sexual Abuse
ReportingPer SB 161 (effective June 8, 2012)
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Any person over 18 who receives a disclosure from a credible witness or observes any sexual abuse or sexual assault of a child shall report the circumstances or cause a report to be made to the Department or the State Police or other law-enforcement agency having jurisdiction.
Reports shall be made immediately and not more than 48 hours after receiving such a disclosure or observing the sexual abuse.
Additional Requirements Regarding Child Sexual Abuse
ReportingPer SB 161 (effective June 8, 2012)
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If the reporter feels that reporting the alleged sexual abuse will expose themselves, the child, the reporter's children or other children in the subjects household to an increased threat of serious bodily injury, the individual may delay making the report while he or she undertakes measures to remove themselves or the affected children from the perceived threat of additional harm.
The individual must make the report as soon as practical after the threat of harm has been reduced.
Types of Disclosure
Indirect Hints• "My babysitter keeps bothering me."
Disguised Disclosures• "I know someone who is being touched in a bad way."
Disclosures with Strings Attached• "I have a problem, but if I tell you about it, you have to
promise not to tell."
What should you do when a parent or child discloses?
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DisclosureWhat to do when a parent or child discloses?
1. Find a private place to talk with the person.2. Reassure the person making the disclosure ("I believe you.”)3. Listen openly and calmly, with minimal interruptions. 4. Write down the facts and words as the person has stated
them. (Exact words are important to investigators.)5. Do not promise not to tell, but respect the person’s
confidentiality by not telling others who don’t need to know.6. Tell the truth.7. Be specific. Let the child know what is going to happen. 8. Assess the child’s immediate safety. 9. Be supportive. Report the disclosure within 48 hrs to CPS.
DisclosureWhat NOT to Say When Someone Discloses To You
1. Don’t ask “why” questions such as:• “Why didn't you stop him or her?”• “Why are you telling me this?”
2. Don't say "Are you sure?"3. Don't ask "Are you telling the truth?"4. Don't say "Let me know if it happens again."5. Avoid leading questions ("Did your uncle touch
you too? Was he wearing a blue jacket?”)
How do you make a report?
You should contact CPS whenever you reasonably suspect a child has been abused or neglected or is subject to conditions where abuse or neglect is likely to occur.
CPS will accept your report and determine “Is the child safe or does the child need protected?”
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To Whom Do You Report?
WV Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline
1-800-352-6513
24 hours a day - 7 days a week
For serious physical abuse and sexual abuse, also contact the state police and local law enforcement.
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Responsibility to Prevent
Section 3.
What Child Abuse Prevention Looks Like
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Responsibility to Prevent
“No epidemic has ever been resolved by paying attention to the treatment of the affected individual.”
-- George W. Albee, Ph.D.
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Protective Factors:A New Prevention Framework
Suitable for universal, positive approach to families (no “risk” factors or deficit approach)
Easily communicated to all audiences
Based on hard evidence
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Protective Factors“Circles of Caring”
Knowledge of Parenting & Child Development
Parental Resilience
Social Connections
Social & Emotional Development of Children
Concrete Support in Times of Need
Knowledge of Parenting & Child Development
Information about how children develop
How to deal with challenging behaviors
Alternatives to how we were raised
Parental Resilience
Able to solve problems
Feel supported
Ability to bounce back
Social Connections
Relationships
Community norms
Mutual assistance networks
Social and Emotional Development of Children
Positive parent-child interaction.
Appropriate adult response to challenging behaviors or when development is not on track.
Children learn to express themselves and their emotions.
Concrete Support in Times of Need
Response to crisis.
Assistance with daily needs.
Services for children and parents.
Remember…
WV Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline
1-800-352-6513
24 hours a day - 7 days a week
For serious physical abuse and sexual abuse, also contact the state police and local law enforcement.
For More Information Contact:
The TEAM for West Virginia Children1-866-4KIDSWV
304-697-0340Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @TEAM4WVChildrenhttp://slideshare.net/PCAWV
http://www.preventchildabusewv.org
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