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Recoginizing and Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect
- 2. Prevent Child Abuse Rowan Prevent Child Abuse Rowan P.O. Box 591 Salisbury, NC 28083 704-639-1700 (office) 704-642-1755 (fax) www.preventchildabuserowan.org [email_address]
- 3. Prevent Child Abuse Rowan Mission Statement Prevent Child Abuse Rowan is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse in Rowan County through volunteerism, education, and advocacy. www.preventchildabuserowan.org
- 4. Objectives of This Training To educate child care professionals on North Carolina’s child abuse and neglect laws. To educate child care professionals on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect. To provide child care professionals with the tools to report suspected child abuse and neglect.
- 5. NC Child Abuse & Neglect Laws The NC General Statue 7B‑301 states : Any person or institution who has cause to suspect that any juvenile is abused, neglected, dependent, or has died as the result of maltreatment, shall report the case of that juvenile to the director of the department of social services in the county where the juvenile resides or is found. The complete statue can be found at http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/statutes/Statutes.asp
- 6. NC Child Abuse & Neglect Laws This means anyone/everyone who thinks a child may be abused or neglected is required by law to report it to the Department of Social Services (704-216-8498) or law enforcement (911)!!! You do not have to have proof- only a suspicion that a child is being abused or neglected. You can make an anonymous/confidential report.
- 7. What is Child Abuse & Neglect? Neglect - any serious disregard for a juvenile’s supervision, care or discipline. Child abuse- a non-accidental injury or pattern of injuries to a child. Dependency- juvenile has no parent, guardian or custodian us able to provide care and supervision.
- 8. Types of Child Neglect Improper Care Includes insufficient food, clothing, hygiene, education, parenting. Improper Supervision Children birth-5 must be constantly supervised by a caregiver. Older children must be supervised to based on their maturity and ability to be safe. Improper Discipline Physical discipline resulting in bruises or abrasions Physical discipline for children under the age of 3 years or who are immobile. Food and water (except snacks & treats) withheld as a discipline tool.
- 9. Types of Child Neglect (continued) Abandonment Absent parent/caregiver who have not made arrangements for an alternate caregiver to provide for child’s essential needs. Lack of Necessary Medical Care or other Remedial Care Failure to seek needed treatment; failure to provide medicine for life-threatening conditions; failure to seek & follow through with services such as speech, hearing or visual treatments. Environment Injurious Safety problems such as exposed wiring, unsafe heating units, broken glass, fire hazards, rats, other vermin/pests, unsafe sleeping area, housekeeping practices that expose the child to possible disease, infections, or injuries. Parents engage in behaviors that endanger a child; child is put at risk of sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect by a caregivers relationship with another person.
- 10. Types of Child Abuse Physical- Examples of physical abuse include, but are not limited to: beating, harmful restraint, use of a weapon or instrument, or actions that result in or could result in serious physical injury. Sexual - Any sexual behavior imposed on a juvenile. This involves a range of activities, including fondling the genital area, masturbation, oral sex, or vaginal or anal penetration by a finger, penis or other object. It includes exhibitionism, child pornography, and suggestive behaviors or comments. Emotional- serious emotional damage that creates severe anxiety, depression, withdrawal or aggressive. Moral Turpitude- caregivers involvement in criminal activity or immoral behavior that influences/forces the child to participate in that behavior; caregiver unwilling to attempt to correct child’s criminal or immoral behavior.
- 11. Identifying Child Maltreatment Abuse & neglect are usually a pattern of behaviors that can be observed over time. A child may not tell anyone. Children may “act out” to express their hurt & anger. Some children display no negative signs.
- 12. Child Maltreatment Following this slide you will see signs of possible abuse & neglect that will help you identify areas of concern. It is important to note that if you see any or all of the signs it does not necessarily mean a child is being maltreated. However, you should pay close attention, look for patterns, discuss it with your supervisor, and if you think a child may be at risk you must report!
- 13. Child Maltreatment If you have concerns about a child or if a child tells you that they are being maltreated you should report immediately by calling 704-216-8498 or 911 (in Rowan County North Carolina). DO NOT question the child or family about your suspicions as this may put the child in harms way. DSS staff have been specifically trained to interview children and families in order to maximize their safety.
- 14. Signs of Possible Neglect Abandonment by a parent or caregiver Unattended medical needs Consistent lack of supervision Consistent hunger, inappropriate dress, poor hygiene, Poor social skills Indiscriminate with affection Pale, listless, begs or steals food, frequently absent from school Falls asleep in class or regularly displays fatigue Self-destructive behaviors
- 15. Signs of Possible Physical Abuse Unexplained bruises in different stages of healing (especially bruises that are shaped like an instrument i.e belt, stick, electrical cord, etc.) Self-destructive behavior Welts, human bite marks, bald spots Unexplained burns (may look like a specific item i.e. a glove or cigarette) Unexplained broken bones, cuts, scrapes, or other injuries Nervous, hyper-active, aggressive, disruptive and destructive behaviors Unusually wary of physical contact Unduly frightened of parent or caregiver Expresses little or no emotion when hurt Unusually shy, withdrawn, or passive
- 16. Signs of Possible Sexual Abuse Engages in sexual activity not appropriate for the child’s age Has a detailed and sophisticated understanding of sexual behavior Goes back to behaviors previously mastered like bed-wetting, thumb sucking, soiling pants Suffers sleep disturbances or nightmares Pain, itching, bruising, or bleeding in the private area Has a sexually transmitted disease Has frequent urinary tract or yeast infections
- 17. If you suspect Child Abuse or Neglect Call DSS at 704-216-8498 or 911 (in Rowan County North Carolina) report suspected abuse, neglect or dependency. You do not have to have proof, only a reasonable cause to suspect that child abuse, neglect or dependency is present. Your call can be anonymous & confidential.
- 18. Making the Report. Provide as much information as possible – the more details available to DSS the better able they are to fully assess the situation. You may not know all the information that DSS asks for but remember they are working hard to make a comprehensive assessment. DSS can accept an anonymous report and keeps reporter information confidential. However, often parents can figure out who made the report. Remember- your report helps to protect the child!
- 19. What to expect after the report. DSS will determine if there is enough evidence to investigate. If yes, they must see the child within 72 hours in neglect cases & 24 hours for abuse situations. The child may be interviewed at the day care center, school, and/or home. Law Enforcement & DSS often conducts interviews/investigations together. This keeps everyone safe and reduces the number of interviewed needed. Everyone in the home will be interviewed within 7 working days. Other people may be interviewed as well. DSS will notify, in writing, the reporter whether or not the report is accepted. The decision can be appealed by the reporter.
- 20. Prevent Child Abuse Rowan Learn more about Child Abuse! Prevent Child Abuse Rowan 704-639-1700 www.preventchildabuserowan.org Rowan County Department of Social Services www.co.rowan.nc.us/dss/ChildrensServ/en/childserv_cps.htm Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina 1-800-4AChild (800-422-4453) www.preventchildabusenc.org/ North Carolina Child Advocacy Institute www.ncchild.org Family Support Network of North Carolina www.med.unc.edu/wrkunits/1dean/commedu/ Child Welfare League of America www.cwla.org
- 21. Prevent Child Abuse Rowan Contact Info: Prevent Child Abuse Rowan P.O. Box 591 Salisbury, NC 28145 704-639-1700 [email_address] www.preventchildabuserowan.org