11. Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse - Vision of Children Summer 2026

The definition of child abuse and neglect is set forth by who?

Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)

What is the definition of Child Abuse and Neglect?

-Any recent act or failure to act on part of parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation

-An act or failure to act which represents an imminent risk or serious harm

Who is a "child"?

Anyone under 18yo who is NOT an emancipated minor

In Ohio, who does a "child" include?

people under 21 who have developmental or physical disability

What are the types of abuse discussed in this lecture?

-physical

-emotional

-sexual

-substance

What is the definition of physical abuse?

non-accidental physical injury inflicted by a parent, caregiver, or other person who has responsibility for the child

True or False:

Abuse is considered regardless of whether caregiver intended to hurt the child

true

What is emotional abuse?

Pattern of behavior that impairs child's emotional development or sense of self-worth

Is emotional abuse difficult to prove?

Yes

What is definition of sexual abuse?

The employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement or coercion of any child to engage in any sexually explicit conduct or simulation of such conduct

Do all states consider substance abuse, abuse?

No

What is considered substance child abuse?

Prenatal exposure to drugs/alcohol, drug manufacturing in presence of the child, selling/distributing/giving drugs/alcohol to child. Also use of controlled substances by caregiver that impairs ability to care for their child.

What is physical neglect?

-failure to provide necessary food or shelter

-lack of appropriate supervision

Some states consider ______ its own category of neglect

abandonment

Most states have ________ Laws, where parents give up a child if they feel they cannot provide for them

Safe Haven Laws

What is medical neglect?

-Failure to provide necessary medical or mental health treatment

-Includes necessary "prosthetics" -- eyeglasses and hearing aids

Medical Neglect includes exceptions for what?

Exceptions for parents who choose not to seek medical care for their children d/t religious beliefs

What is educational neglect?

Failure to educate a child or attend to their special education needs

What is emotional neglect?

Failure to attend to a child's emotional needs or to provide psychological care

1 in __ children suffer from child abuse or neglect

10

1 in ___ children suffer from sexual abuse

16

1 in ___ children are witness to family violence

10

Of reported cases, CPS investigation is (high/low)

low

Victim Demographics

Female : Male

50/50

Victim Demographics

Age of the victim

50% younger than 1, 75% younger than 4

Perpetrator Demographics

More frequently (male/female)

female

Perpetrator Demographics

Relationship to the child

Parents -- 83% of the time

Ratio of Death d/t Physical Abuse or Neglect

2/100,000

Signs of Chronic Abuse

battered child

Signs of Acute Abuse

drown, suffocate, shake

Signs of Chronic Neglect

Malnourishment

Signs of Acute Neglect

Drown During Bath

What is the demographics of the perpetrators of death?

-Mid 20s

-Little education

-Poverty

-Depressed

-Unable to cope with stress

-Abuse victim

Who are the reporters of physical and sexual abuse?

-Teachers

-Police/Lawyers

-Medical staff

-Professionals 75% of the time

Signs of Neglect: The Child

-Is frequently absent from school

-Begs or steals food or money

-Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses

-Is consistently dirty or has severe body odor

-Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather

-Abuses alcohol or drugs

-States there is no one at home to provide for

Signs of Neglect: The Parent

-Appears to be indifferent to the child

-Seems apathetic or depressed

-Behaves irrationally or in bizarre manner

-Is abusing alcohol or drugs

Signs of Abuse on a Child

-shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance

-has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to parent's attention

-has learning problems that cannot be attributed to physical or psychological causes

-always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen

-lacks adult supervision

-overly compliant, passive, withdrawn

-comes to activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home

-reluctant to be around a particular person

-discloses maltreatment

Signs of Abuse: The Parent

-Denies the existence of -- or blames the child for -- the child's problems in school or at home

-asks teachers or other caregivers to use harsh physical discipline if the child behaves

-sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome

-demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve

-looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and satisfaction of the parent's emotional needs

-shows little concern for the child

Signs of Physical Abuse on a Child

-unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, bizarre marks, or black eyes

-fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school

-seems frightened of the parents and protests or cries when its time to go home

-shrinks at the approach of adults

-reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver

-abuses animals/pets

Signs of Physical Abuse: Parent

Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for the child's injury or provides an explanation not consistent with the injury

Describes the child as "evil" or in some other very negative way

Uses harsh physical discipline with the child

hx of abuse as a child

hx of abusing animals or pets

Bruises that are Worrisome

Multiple locations (buttocks, inner thigh, cheek, ear, upper lip, neck)

In soft tissue areas (children typically get bruising in bony areas like knees)

Multiple stages of bruising present

If a child falls and gets a bruise it is typically over ____ area

boney

Signs of Physical Abuse: Examples of Bizzare Marks

Cord

Belt

Gag

Signs of Physical Abuse: Burns

-cigs

-branding

-immersion/scalding

Signs of Physical Abuse that are Ocular

-black eyes

-subconj heme

-retinal hemorrhage

-involvement of BOTH EYES

Percentage of Retinal Hemes vs Accidental Hemes

60% abused has retinal hemes vs 10% accidental

Retinal hemes are _______ for abuse in babies

pathognomonic

Signs of Sexual Abuse on a Child

-Difficulty walking or sitting

-Refuses to change for gym to participate

-Reports nightmares or regressive bedwetting

-Experiences sudden change in appetite

-Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, unusual sexual knowledge or behavior

-Pregnant or STD, under age 14

-Runs away

-Attaches very quickly to strangers or new adults

-Reports sexual abuse

Signs of Sexual Abuse: Adult

Unduly protective of the child or severely limits the child's contact with other children - especially children of the opposite sex

Secretive and isolated

Jealous or controlling of family members

____% of 21 year olds who reported childhood abuse met the criteria for at least one psychological disorder

80

_____ of people in treatment for drug abuse reported abuse/neglect as a child

2/3

Abused/neglected children are ___x more likely to become involved in criminal activity

9

What are the long term consequences of child neglect/abuse?

Cognitive development

Social well-being

Mental health

Physical health

Can you help abuse victims?

Yes, be vigilant. Keep eyes open and really talk to people.

Do health care professionals have a legal obligation to report?

Yes & they are immune from civil or criminal liability if acting in good faith