HD_300 1st Edition Lecture 22 Outline of Last Lecture I. Continuum of Sexual Behavior II. Assessing Child Sexual ActivityIII. Children- Unseen VictimsIV. Intergenerational Cycle of AbuseV. Child OutcomesVI. SummaryOutline of Current LectureI. Medical TeamII. Educational TeamIII. Mental Health ProfessionalsIV. Religious Community V. Legal TeamVI. CourtsVII. Summary Current LectureUnit 18: Community Response to Child Abuse and NeglectMedical Team- Physicianso Examine and correctly diagnoseo Mandated reporterso Hospitalize if necessary (to treat and protect)o Review medical history and evaluate needso Act as consultants in planning treatment and intervention- Nurseso Mandated reporterso In a good position to observe child abuse (office, hospital, school, public health)o Often is the first medical contacto Plays a pivotal role between the family and the medical community o Is in a position to help prevent abuse (educational opportunities)- Hospital Social WorkerThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.o Helps coordinate the teamo Role depends on hospital policyo Helps coordinate social services and community services o All members of the medical team are mandated reporters (they are required by the laws in every state to report suspected abuse)Educational Team- Teacherso Is in close contact with children for more hours a day than any otheradult (often including the parents)o Mandated reporter Reporting to an administrator or reporting anonymously doesnot meet a teacher’s legal obligationso Protocol may vary within school systems However, the teacher needs to follow through to be sure the report was madeo Becomes a team member- Administratorso Mandated reporters o Parents may contact them about abuse in the school settingo Provide support to staff who report to themo They are liable if they do not report- School Counselorso May be approached by the child, or the child may be referred by teachers, administrators, or the school nurseo Mandated reportersMental Health Professionals- Mandated reporters- Child may be regerred or abuse may become apparent in a counseling session that involves other issues- Important member of the overall team- Often called upon as expert witnessesReligious Community- Exempt from reporting id the perpetrator confesses in confidenceo However religious leaders may require that the perpetrator report as part of his/her penance - If anyone else brings the situation to the attention of the religious leader, he or she is required to report- Can play a supportive role to the child and family as part of the community teamLegal Team- Law Enforcement (Police)o Mandated reporter in every stateo Performs three functions: Takes reports of abuse or neglect Investigates reports Responds to emergencieso Types of reports: Direct- from the child Indirect- from the parent, caretaker, teacher, etc. Referral- school, hospital, CPS or other agency Pro-active- discovered by police while investigation another complainto Action: May make an arrest May refer the child to a child abuse unity, CPS, juvenile or family court- Attorneys and Appointed Representativeso Attorney representing alleged perpetratoro Attorney representing the childo Guardian ad litem (CASA) Court appointed special assistant whose role is to evaluate the best interests of the childo District Attorney Role is to prosecute the perpetratoro Judge Determines custody status of the child Presides in criminal proceedings- Juvenile Courto Deals with child placement and other issues involving the childo Judge makes the decisions- Criminal Courto Deals with prosecuting the perpetratoro Judge or jury makes the decisiono Many states now require incarceration for child sexual abuse- Disadvantageso Adversarialo Anxiety provokingo May find insufficient grounds to proceedo Faceoff between “expert” witnessesSummary- No one person should be in charge of making decisions involving child abuse and neglect cases- Decision-making should be a team effort in order to protect the best interests of the child and to help preserve the family if that is