HD 300 1st Edition Lecture 17 Outline of Last Lecture I Socially toxic environment II Summary III Emotional abuse IV Emotional neglect V Emotional assault VI Pet abuse and child abuse VII Emotional abuse Part 2 Outline of Current Lecture I History of Reporting II State Laws III What if you do not report IV When and Where to Report V What to Report VI Professional VII Decision to Report VIII Costs and Benefits of Reporting IX Responding to Disclosure X In Sum XI Recognizing Physical Abuse XII Recognizing Physical Neglect These 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 XIII Recognizing Sexual Abuse XIV Recognizing Emotional Abuse Current Lecture Exam next Thursday October 30th Class Cancelled Tuesday October 28th Unit 14 Recognizing and Reporting Abuse History of Reporting Until the late 19th century little interest and no policies for child protection Some mandatory reporting was first required in the 1960 s Battered child syndrome described in 1962 but many still failed to report obvious abuse By 1966 all states had laws mandating physicians to report battered children In the late 1960 s and early 1970 s other professionals were added to the list of mandatory reporters and definitions were broadened to include sexual abuse and exploitation State Laws 1974 The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act was passed o Defined Child abuse o Set the standard for state mandatory reporting laws o States needed to implement laws to receive federal child protection funds Definitions of what is to be reported vary by state to state o 50 do not report poverty related neglect o 22 do not include emotional abuse o 55 omit educational neglect o 24 do not include medical neglect Broad definitions result in high reporting rates Good Faith reporting o If you see something that you think is abuse and report may or may not be true o Most states have laws that protect someone who reports abuse in good faith o People reporting in good faith cannot be sued o People who deliberately and falsely report abuse can be sued Most common in custody battles Anyone can report anonymously All states now have laws requiring professionals to report mandatory reporters Some states require ALL citizens to report What if you do not report Research suggests that only 40 of abuse cases are reported Failure to report can result in being charged with a Class B misdemeanor Professionals may be held accountable and lose their licenses to practice When and Where to Report Report ASAP Child protective services o Handles investigating o May refer to police Law enforcement o Handles criminal charges o Better response from police What to report Name age and home address of the child Name and address of parents or other person responsible for the child s care Whereabouts of the child Nature and extent of the abuse neglect Identity of any individual responsible for the abuse or neglect Any other information that would help determine the cause of the abuse or neglect Professional Anyone who works with children and families including o Medical personnel o School personnel Including the janitor o Legal and law enforcement professionals o Child care personnel o Counseling and psychology professionals o Camp and youth counselors o Leaders of youth groups o Social service personnel Need to have training in recognizing child maltreatment Should know their state s laws regarding reporting Deal with confidentiality issues early in the professional relationship If the child discloses abuse the professional must report if the professional has suspicions o do not immediately dismiss the issue o evaluate further o if dismissed follow up and monitor if uncomfortable with the situation get someone else with experience Informing parents of the charges o This may put the child at risk o The child may need to be placed in protective custody prior to informing the parents Keep good records Follow up with any agencies Participate in on going training Decision to Report Situation influences o Victim attributes Age how serious o Type and severity of abuse Legal Factors o Knowledge of the law Professional characteristic o Years of experience o Level of training o Experience reporting Organizational factors o Ethical guidelines o Formal reporting guidelines However the initial reporting is still responsible o Institutional policy o Support for reporting No matter what you MUST report Costs and Benefits of Reporting Costs of reporting o Disruption of therapy treatment o Reliance on CPS to handle the investigation o Family faces CPS and legal investigation Benefits of reporting o Stops the abuse o Maintains trust The child knows someone is looking out for them o Upholds the law Costs of not reporting o Potential for more abuse o Potential for legal action o Potential for professional action Benefits of not reporting o Maintains confidentiality o Protects the child family from the system But doesn t stop abuse o Neither is an excuse for not reporting Responding to Disclosure Handout When o o o o o a child discloses abuse Be on the same eye level as the child Be tactful don t look shocked Be calm do not react with shock or disgust Asses the child s safety needs and the urgency Validate the child s feelings o o o o o o o Believe the child and be supportive Assure the child that you care Assure the child that he she is not to blame Let the child know what you will do Tell the child you are glad that he she told you DO NOT interview or interrogate the child Let the child tell his her own story leave out your own assumptions Don t dig Just listen to their story In Sum If a child discloses abuse you are legally and ethically obligated to report If you suspect abuse o Disclose your observations to a professional for guidance on what to do o Report in good faith If you don t report who will Recognizing Physical Abuse Handout Physical indicators o Unexplained bruises burns fractures lacerations or abrasions o Behavioral indicators o Wary of adult contacts o Apprehension when other children cry o Behavioral extremes o Frightened of parents o Afraid to go home o Reports injury Recognizing Physical Neglect Handout Physical Indicators o Constant hunger o Poor hygiene o Inappropriate dress o Consistent lack of supervision o Unattended medical needs o Abandonment Behavioral Indicators o Begging stealing or hoarding food o Extended stays at school o Constant fatigue