CHILD ABUSE REACTION PAPER
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Child_Abuse_Presentation_SchoolECCE2320.pptHelp Stop
Child Abuse
What You Need to Know . . .
The Problem
Georgia 2003
- 92,612 total reports
- 27,911 incidences
- Every 30 minutes a child
is a confirmed victim
- 70 fatalities
- 66% of child deaths related to abuse or neglect were determined to be preventable
- 83% of abusers are the parents of the child
Nation 2002
- 2.6 million total reports
- 896,000 incidences
- Over ½ of all victims are under the age of seven
- Over 75% of child fatalities as a result of child abuse and neglect are children under the age of four
- The leading cause of maltreatment death is neglect
- In 73% of children who were sexually abused, the abuse lasted more than 5 years
Types of Abuse
- Neglect
- Physical
- Sexual
- Emotional
Possible Signs of Neglect
Physical Neglect
Not Providing:
Adequate food & clothing
Appropriate medical
care
Supervision
Proper weather
protection
(heat & coats)
Can include:
Abandonment
Behavior
Stealing food
Constant fatigue
Inappropriate seeking
of attention
. . . more Possible Signs
of Neglect
Educational
Failure to provide
appropriate
schooling
Failure to provide
special education
needs
Allowing excessive
truancies
Psychological
Lack of any
emotional support and love
Never attending to
the child
Spousal abuse
Drug & alcohol abuse including allowing
child to participate
in drug and alcohol
use.
Home Alone
DFCS policy states:
Children 8 or younger should NEVER be left alone.
Children 9 -12 may be left alone for up to two hours at a time.
(Based on maturity level)
Children 13 & older who are sufficiently mature may be left alone and may act as a baby-sitter as authorized by parents or caretakers for up to twelve hours.
Possible Indicators
of Physical Abuse
Physical Signs
- Unexplained bruises & welts
- Unexplained burns
- Unexplained fractures/dislocations
- Bald patches on scalp
Behavioral Signs
- Wary of adult contact
- Aggressiveness or withdrawal
- Afraid to go home
- Manipulative behavior
- Poor self-concept
Possible Indicators
of Sexual Abuse
Physical Indicators
Difficulty walking or sitting
Pain when urinating
Excessive masturbation
Behavioral Indicators
Sophisticated sexual
knowledge
Aggressive acting out
Poor peer relationship
Reports sexual abuse
Sexually acting out on younger children
Possible Signs of
Emotional Abuse
Physical
Speech disorders
Behind in physical
development
Failure to thrive
Hyperactive/disruptive
behavior
Behavioral
Bad Habits
Conduct/learning
disorders
Behavior extremes
Suicide attempts
Behavior development lags
Georgia Law
School employees are mandated reporters (follow Paulding County protocol for reporting)
Immunity from liability
Confidential
Failure to report – GUILTY
of misdemeanor
Responses to Avoid
Are you sure this is happening?
Are you telling me the truth?
Why are you telling me?
Let me know if this happens again.
Why didn’t you stop it?
What did you do to make this happen?
Good Responses to a Child
I believe you.
I’m glad you told me.
It is not your fault this happened.
(Sexual) abuse is wrong.
I will do whatever I can to help you.
Reporting Abuse
Immediately tell the Counselor
If a Counselor is not available, talk with an Administrator.
No Counselor, No Administrator, (Have secretary or ASP Dir. contact Admin. by cell phone)
Call Susan Goethe or Kathy Singleton (BOE)
(if Administrator cannot be contacted)
Information needed: Child’s name, Parents name, address, phone number.
Just think . . .
You might just save a child’s life!
