DCF Child Abuse and Neglect

CAAN (4 hours)

Three children die of child abuse in the home in the United States each

Day

How many people report child abuse when faced with an actual situation?

1/3

What is the single, leading cause of death for children ages four and younger?

Child abuse and neglect

On average, child abuse is reported somewhere in the United States every

10 seconds

Strangers pose the greatest risk of sexual abuse to children.

False

Child molesters get their sexual gratification only from children.

False

The average age that child molesters first attack a child is when they (the attackers) are:

In their teens

Which of the following actions can help stop child abuse and neglect?

1) Helping a stressed-out parent by baby-sitting, making a meal for their family or lending an understanding ear.
2) Learning the signs and symptoms of child abuse so you can recognize them when you see the "red flags."
3) Reporting known or suspected child abuse to the police or local child protective services agency.
Answer: All of the above

Child

Any person under the age of 18 years.

Child abuse

Any non-accidental injury, sexual battery, or injury to the intellectual or psychological capacity of a child by the parent, adult household member, or other person responsible for the child's welfare. (p.4)

Physical abuse

2The mistreatment of a child by a person responsible for the child's welfare that results in injury or harm to the child. (p.4)

Sexual abuse

Sexual contact or interaction between a child and an adult or
older child. Includes indecent exposure, fondling, touching sexual organs, forcible rape, sodomy, exploitation, and showing pornography. (p. 4)

Verbal abuse

A form of emotional abuse that involves excessive yelling,
shaming, belittling and/or teasing of a child.

Institutional abuse or neglect

Situations of known or suspected child abuse or neglect which
occurs at the institution where the person allegedly perpetrating the child abuse or neglect is an employee of a private school, public or private child care center, residential home, institution, program, or agency or any other person at such institution responsible for the child's care.

Neglect

Failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care or
needed supervision.

Emotional neglect

Failure to provide support, acceptance, attention, warmth,
supervision and normal living experiences for a child to the extent that the child is impaired in ability to function normally in performance and behavior.

Harm

Anything to a child's health or welfare that can occur when any
person:
a) inflicts, or allows to be inflicted, upon the child physical, mental, or emotional injury;
b) commits, or allows to be committed, sexual battery, or lewd or lascivious acts against a child;
c) allows, encourages, or forces the sexual exploitation of a child;
d) exploits a child, or allows a child to be exploited;
e) abandons a child;
f) neglects a child;
g) exposes a child to a controlled substance or alcohol;
h) uses mechanical devices, unreasonable restraints, or extended periods of isolation to control a child;
i) engages in violent behavior that demonstrates a wanton disregard for the presence of a child and could
reasonably result in serious injury to the child;
j) negligently fails to protect a child in his or her care from inflicted physical, mental, or sexual injury caused
by the acts of another;
k) has allowed a child's sibling to die as a result of abuse, abandonment, or neglect.

Inadequate supervision

When a child is left alone in a situation beyond their physical
and emotional development level or when a child is left in the care of someone who does not provide adequate supervision.

Lack of adequate shelter

When the child is exposed to structurally unsafe housing,
exposed wiring, inadequate or unsafe heating, or unsanitary housing conditions.

Lack of adequate clothing/good hygiene

When a child suffers or is likely to suffer, from physical or
emotional health conditions resulting from inadequate clothing, improper hygiene and uncleanness.

lack of adequate nutrition

When the caretaker has regularly failed to provide or have
available adequate food to the child, which can cause malnutrition over a long period of time.

Lack of medical/dental care

When a medical or dental condition is left untreated, possibly
resulting in serious or long-term harm to the child.

Lack of love and attention (failure to thrive)

When the parents deny satisfying or fulfilling relationships, thus
avoiding most interactions as a method of avoiding rejection and failure. The lack of support or emotional care or love can cause the infant and/or child's weight to fall below the fifth percentile for age.

Lack of providing access to education

When education is not enforced by the parents, thereby
contributing to the child's absence from school - leading to the lack of education and leading to truancy.

Florida Abuse Hotline

Operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll free telephone number 800-962-2873.

Immunity

Exemption from civil or criminal charges resulting from reporting
"in good faith." (p. 5)

Mandated Reporter

Any person, including, but not limited to, any:
a) physician, osteopathic physician, medical examiner, chiropractic physician, nurse, or hospital personnel
engaged in the admission, examination, care, or treatment of persons;
b) Health or mental health professional other than one listed in paragraph a);
c) Practitioner who relies solely on spiritual means for healing;
d) school teacher or other school official or personnel;
e) social worker, child care worker, or other professional child care provider, foster care, residential, or
institutional worker;
f) law enforcement officer; or
g) judge - who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a child is abused, abandoned, or neglected
by a parent, legal custodian, caregiver, or person responsible for the child's welfare shall report such
knowledge or suspicion to the department (DCF) in the manner prescribed in subsection (2) of 39.201. (p.5)

Examples of physical child abuse:

Scalding a child with hot water
Slapping, hitting, shaking or shoving
Beating w/belt, shoe, or other object
Pulling a child's hair
Burning w/lighter, match, cigarette, iron
Breaking a child's bones
Locking a child in a closet or imprisonment
Painful punishment: kneeling, standing for a long time

Examples of sexual child abuse:

Using a child in pornography
Having intercourse or oral sex w/child
Fondling a child's genitals
Having a child touch another person's
genitals
Showing x-rated material to a child

Examples of emotional child abuse:

Conveying that a child is worthless
Terrorizing a child
Witnessing domestic violence
Not allowing child to have friends
Name calling
Not allowing child to eat, drink, use bathroom

What can shaking a baby or young child cause?

Permanent brain damage, paralysis, blindness, seizures, developmental delays, broken bones, death

What can you do to prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome?

Make sure those who care for young children know the dangers of shaking a baby; be careful during play or physical activity.

How can you cope with a crying baby or child?

Take deep, slow breaths, take a break, ask for help, count to 10.

Examples of Neglect:

Leaving a child alone
Leaving a child in a place that is not safe
Lack of attention
Not providing clothing, food, or shelter
Not providing necessary medical attention
Not providing appropriate schooling
Not providing protection from hazards (p. 9)

Physical Abuse Indicators (Physical)

Unexplained bruises or welts
Unexplained burns
Unexplained broken bones
Unexplained lacerations or abrasions
Domestic violence

Physical Abuse Indicators (Behavioral)

Wary of adult contact
Apprehensive when other children cry
Behavioral extremes: aggressive or withdrawn
Frightened of parents
Afraid to go home
Reports injury by parents
Shows anxiety about normal activities (napping, eating, etc.)
Easily startled
Wearing long sleeves/pants in warm weather
Banging, hitting or threatening play

Physical Neglect Indicators (Physical)

Consistent hunger, poor hygiene, over/under dressed for the climate
Consistent lack of supervision, especially in dangerous activities over long periods of time
Unattended physical problems or medical needs (anemia, urinary infections, diarrhea, malnutrition)
Abandonment

Physical Neglect Indicators (Behavioral)

Begging, stealing food
Extended stays at school (early arrival, late departure)
Constant fatigue, listlessness or falling asleep in class
Alcohol or drug abuse
Delinquency (thefts)
States there is no caregiver

Emotional Abuse or Neglect Indicators (Physical)

Speech and language disorders
Lags in physical development
Failure to thrive

Emotional Abuse or Neglect Indicators (Behavioral)

Habit disorders (sucking, biting, rocking, etc.)
Conduct disorders (antisocial, destructive)
Neurotic traits (sleep disorders, inhibition of play)
Psychoneurotic reactions (hysteria, obsession, compulsion, phobias)
Behavior extremes (compliant/passive, aggressive/demanding)
Overly adaptive behavior (inappropriate adult, inappropriate infant)
Developmental lags (mental, emotional)
Self destructive behavior or attempted suicide

Sexual Abuse Indicators (Physical)

Difficulty in walking/sitting
Torn, shredded, stained or bloody underclothing
Pain or itching in genital area
Bruises or bleeding in external genitalia, vaginal or anal areas, mouth or throat

Sexual Abuse Indicators (Behavioral)

Withdrawal, fantasy or infantile behavior
Bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual behavior or knowledge
Poor peer relationships
Delinquency or runaway
Reports sexual assault by caregiver

What are some examples of things that could be shared with you or talked about that could help you recognize signs of abuse or neglect?

Parent blames or belittles child
Parent talks about child as bad or evil
Parent smells of alcohol/drugs or seems to be under the influence
Parent fails to keep appointments
Parent seems unconcerned with child
Parent mentions financial problems
Parent talks about divorce, death, or illness
Parent admits to alcohol or substance abuse
Parent talks about domestic violence or shows signs

Child Risk Factors:

Premature birth/birth defects
Chronic or serious illness
Physical, mental, or emotional disability
Temperament-slow or difficulty warming up to others
Aggression behavior problems
ADD
Childhood Drama
A personal attribute/characteristics identified by a parent or undesirable

Parental/Family Risk Factors:

Personality factors (Feelings of insecurity, Lack of trust, Low tolerance for frustration, Poor impulse control, Controlling, Depression)
Childhood history of abuse
Family structure (single parents)
Social Isolation
Marital Problems, Divorce
Abuse - Alcohol/Drugs
Death/illness
Lack of parenting skills
Financial problems or unemployment
Age

Social/Environmental Risk Factors:

Stressful life or community (hurricanes)
Low socioeconomic status/poverty
Homelessness
Lack of access to medical care, health care insurance, child care and social services
Dangerous/violent neighborhood
Community violence
Cultural acceptance of abuse

Misconception: Child molesters are "dirty old men."

Reality: In a recent study of convicted child molesters, 80 percent were found to have committed their first offense before the age of thirty.

Misconception: Children are most likely to be sexually assaulted by a stranger.

Reality: 75-95 percent of offenders are known by and may be related to the child.

Misconception: The molester lacks intelligence.

Reality: There are no differences between the convicted child molester's abilities and that of most of the general public.

Misconception: The child molester is an alcoholic or drug addict.

Reality: Drug use is essentially nonexistent with child molesters except to break down the child's inhibitions.

Misconception: The child molester is a sexually frustrated person.

Reality: 50% of child molesters are married. Sexuality is not the only issue in pedophilia; identification, expression problems and the need for power and control are also issues.

Misconception: The child molester is insane.

Reality: 95% are not psychotic.

Misconception: The child molester, over time, will progress to increasingly violent acts.

Reality: Only about 18% of child molesters show any increase in force used. 9% committed violent sexual assaults, 1% of those resulting in death.

Misconception: Children are at greater risk of sexual victimization from "gays" homosexuals) than from straight (heterosexuals) adults.

Reality: 51% of men selected female children
21% selected both sexes
Females victimized 2-1
83% of child molesters are heterosexual

Misconception: Child molesters work in groups.

Reality: 95% of child molesters act alone.

Misconception: Child molesters prefer very young children.

Reality: 14% select children 5 years or younger.
46% select children between 6-11 age group.
33% select young adults.
7% choose various ages.

Misconception: Child molesters commit other crimes.

Reality: Approximately 50% of convicted child molesters have no other criminal record.

Misconception: Children lie or fantasize about sexual activities with adults.

Reality: In developmental terms, young children cannot make up explicit sexual information: they must be exposed to it. They speak from their own experiences. Sometimes a parent will try to get a child to report sexual abuse falsely. Primary indicators of such a report are the child's inability to describe explicitly or
illustrate the act, or a grossly inconsistent account.

Misconception: The sexual abuse of a child is an isolated, onetime incident.

Reality: Child sexual abuse is usually a situation that develops gradually over a period of time, and the sexual abuse occurs repeatedly.

Misconception: Nonviolent sexual behavior between a child and adult is not emotionally damaging to the child.

Reality: Although child sexual abuse may involve subtle rather than extreme force, nearly all victims will experience confusion, shame, guilt, anger and lowered sense of self-esteem, though they may reveal no obvious outward signs.

Misconception: Children provoke sexual abuse by their seductive behavior.

Reality: Seductive behavior may be the result but is never the cause of sexual abuse. The responsibility lies with the adult offender.

Misconception: If children did not want sex, they could say "stop."

Reality: Children generally do not question the behavior of adults. They are often coerced by bribes, threats and use of authority.

Misconception: When a boy is sexually abused, the molesting is perpetrated by male homosexuals.

Reality: Most child sexual abuse is perpetrated by men who are heterosexual and do not find sex with other men at all attractive. Many child molesters abuse both boys and girls.

Misconception: Males who were sexually abused as boys all grow up to abuse children sexually.

Reality: Only portions of abused boys go on to abuse children.

The effects of child abuse and neglect can be serious and permanently affect children's \______, \________
and \_________ development. Recent scientific studies of the brain reveal that the first years of a child's life are critical to development. A child must receive adequate \___________ to ensure that nerve cells in the brain develop fully. Negative experiences, like \______ or \_____, are extremely detrimental in early years. The effects of abuse on a child can begin before a mother even gives birth.

Mental ... Physical ... Emotional ... Stimulation ... Trauma ... Abuse

The Impact of Trauma, Abuse, and Neglect:

Extreme anxiety
Depression
Inability to form healthy relationships
Memory Loss
Short attention span
Easily distracted
Poor self esteem
Sleeping or eating disorder

Physical and Emotional Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect on Children:

Academic problems (school learning problems, underachievement, truancy)
Behavior problems: (passive or withdrawn, active or aggressive, self-destructive, drug use, impulsivity)
Sexual problems: (sexually inappropriate behavior, promiscuity or withdrawal)
Confusion about identity: (low self-esteem, poor self-image)
Anxiety, loss of trust, depression
Medical/dental problems: (fertility problems, chronic pain, stress disorders)

Physical and Emotional Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect on Family:

Mistrust: family isolates itself
Ineffective: problems get bigger
Violent
Non-supportive
Dysfunctional
Poor role model

Physical and Emotional Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect on Caregivers:

Challenging to deal with disruptive behavior in children
Not trained to deal with psychological issues
It is heartbreaking to worry about the children you know
Stress reactions
Confusion/apprehension about what to do
Fear of reporting

Physical and Emotional Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect on Society:

Poor employability skills
Poor social interaction skills
Social withdrawal (leading to isolation)
Repeated patterns of abuse/neglect
Culture continues to accept violence as a part of life
Higher medical and social service costs
Lost human potential
Increased crime rate

Children who have been abused may not \_____ other people. Their experiences have shown them that getting close to people and trusting them causes discomfort and pain.

Trust

These children need a close one-to-one relationship to develop and grow normally. They often \______ warmth, hugs and affection at first.

Reject

They may be \____ in one or more areas of their development (motor, speech, and behavior.)

Slow

Their behavior may be at one of \____ extremes: difficult to manage, destructive, and irritable, or unusually shy and anxious to please.

Two

Abused and neglected children have very poor \___________.
Important adults in their lives have had unrealistic expectations for these children, and they often are led to believe that they caused their own abuse.

Self-images

\_______ of abused children may feel that you are a threat. They may be hostile and ungrateful toward you since they feel jealous, in competition, inadequate, or afraid you will learn their secrets and report them.

Parents

Who is mandated to report suspected child abuse cases?
\__________________ - Any person, including, but not limited to, any:
a) \_________, osteopathic physician, medical examiner, chiropractic physician, \_____ , or hospital personnel engaged in the admission, examination, care, or treatment of persons;
b) \______ or mental health professional other than (one listed in paragraph a);
c) \____________ who relies solely on spiritual means for healing;
d) \______________ or other school official or personnel;
e) \_____________, child care worker, or other professional child care provider, foster care, residential, or institutional worker;
f) law enforcement officer; or
g) judge who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a child is abused, abandoned, or neglected by
a parent, legal custodian, caregiver, or person responsible for the child's welfare shall report such knowledge or
suspicion to the department (DCF) in the manner prescribed in subsection (2) of 39.201.

Mandatory reporter ... Physician ... Nurse ... Health ... Practitioner ... School teacher ... Social worker

As a child care provider it is your duty and your \____________________ according to Chapter 39 F.S. to report any \_________ case of child abuse or neglect. You don't have to prove anything. That is the Investigator's job. You should report that you \_______ abuse or neglect to have occurred.

Legal responsibility ... Suspected ... Suspect

4 ways to make a report:

The four ways abuse and neglect reports can be made to the Florida Abuse Hotline are: telephone, fax, TDD (telephone device for the deaf), and online.

How to Handle Accusations of Child Abuse and Neglect:
Don't become \_________.
Cooperate fully and \_________ with authorities.
Get statements from colleagues about your \_________.
Know the \____ related to abuse and neglect.
Talk to a \______ to ensure your rights and those of family members and helpers.
Remember that \___________________ you have put in place such as your discipline procedures and incident reports will help you.
Work with your \________ and \__________ to handle the impact of the accusation on the school, other parents and students.

Defensive ... Factually ... Character ... Laws ... Lawyer ... Protective policies ... Director ... Colleagues

Child Protective Services (CPS)

The designated social services agency (in most communities) to receive, investigate, and provide rehabilitation services to children and families with problems of child maltreatment.

Department of Children and Families (DCF)

Provides a spectrum of services to preserve and protect the well-being of children and families.

Law Enforcement and State Attorney's Offices

Investigates cases of child abuse and neglect and has victim advocacy programs to provide information and support through the legal system.

Medical Programs and Community Agencies

Places where staff provides attention to victims of child abuse and neglect and provides counseling for the abused, the abuser, or family members.

Legal Agencies

Provide divorce, domestic violence injunctions, or guardian ad litem services

Communities

Have the responsibility to establish and maintain required resources and educate families and individuals on child abuse and neglect prevention

Individuals

Teach children about child abuse and neglect issues. You must be alert for signs of abuse or neglect. Give emotional support to victims of abuse and neglect and support to programs that work to prevent child maltreatment.

Remain ignorant about the situation.

Don't

Lose your temper with an abusive parent. It only serves to put him/her on the
defensive.

Don't

Encourage the abusive parent to contact a community organization or service for help.

Do

Wait to suggest that help is needed.

Don't

Be observant and aware of characteristic signs of child abuse as seen in the child and parent.

Do

Make excuses for child abuse or ignore the warning characteristics.

Don't

Realize that abusive parents are in need of help and most often can be successfully treated.

Do

Assume that all abusive parents are 'bad' and cannot be changed.

Don't

Take action when you suspect or observe abuse and/or neglect, or the signs of possible abuse or neglect.

Do

Be influenced by gossip or second hand information. It may serve only to involve innocent parties.

Don't

Become involved and report any 'suspected' incident of child abuse to the authorities. The law states that if you do so in 'good faith' you cannot be prosecuted.

Do

Be afraid to become involved - you may be the one to save a child's life.

Don't

Match indicators with category:
Indicators: Unexplained bruises or welts and unexplained burns.

Category: Physical Indicator of Physical Abuse 1