CHILD CARE CONSULTATION
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Transcript CHILD CARE CONSULTATION
Child Abuse and
Neglect
Overview for Child
Care Providers
Child Abuse & Neglect
National Statistics
Over 3 million reports of child
abuse and neglect are reported
each year
»
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Neglect
Physical
Sexual
Emotional
60%
20%
10%
7%
Child Abuse & Neglect
National Statistics
– Incidence: three times greater than
reported
– Abusive head trauma leading cause of
infant deaths
– 25% of shaken baby syndrome children
die; majority have brain damage
– Every 10 seconds a child is abused
Who is Considered a
Mandatory Reporter?
For example:
Health care providers (nurses, dentists,
physicians)
School personnel (teachers, principals,
secretaries & other staff)
Police officers, fire fighters
WORKERS IN A FAMILY CARE HOME
OR CHILD CARE CENTER
Children’s Code
C.R.S. 19-3-309
Any person,
other than the perpetrator,
who makes a report
shall be immune from any liability,
civil or criminal, or termination of
employment that might result from
such reporting
Reporting
You should report
ANY
reasonable suspicion of abuse
Why Abuse is Not
Reported
Little or no training
Afraid of reprisals or being sued
“Bureaucratic tape”
Personal feeling for child/family
Very stressful
The Child Care Provider
Usually, the only
other person
outside immediate
family members
who sees a child
on an on-going basis
Reasonable Suspicion
The most important thing
to remember is that …
you should report any
reasonable suspicion of abuse
YOU DO NOT NEED TO
PROVE IT!
Risk Factors
Lack of parenting skills
Overuse of physical punishment
Poor coping skills
Marital difficulties
Risk Factors
Lack of knowledge of normal
growth and development
Criminal behavior
Immaturity
Children with
Special Needs
In addition to the fact that
children with disabilities
are at increased risk of abuse,
is the reality that child abuse
can cause disabilities.
Children with
Special Needs
Exact number of disabilities caused by
abuse is unknown.
Estimated to represent at least 25% of
all developmental disabilities!
Child Abuse Prevention
Techniques for Children
with Special Needs
Teach children personal safety skills
Know all care providers and observe
interactions, since the child is so
dependent on the caregiver.
Child Abuse Prevention
Techniques for Children
with Special Needs
Participate in prevention training
programs.
Develop relationships with local
community agencies and schools
that serve children with disabilities.
Physical Abuse
Any physical injury to a child
that is not accidental
Types of Physical
Injuries
Bruises
Human bite marks
Burns
Fractures
Head/brain injuries
Poisoning
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Brain damage that may result in the
following:
Spinal injury/paralysis
Blindness
Deafness
Seizures
Retardation
Impaired motor/sensory skills
Death
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Signs and Symptoms
Swelling of soft spot
Larger head than normal
Bleeding in the eyes
Unable to lift/turn head
Irritability
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Signs and symptoms
Excessive drowsiness
Difficulty breathing
Seizures
Projectile vomiting
Unresponsiveness
Harmless Activities?
Tossing child in air repeatedly
Jogging with infant on back/shoulders
“Riding a horse”
“Cracking the whip”
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Prevention
Never ever, ever shake a baby!!
ALWAYS support the baby’s head
Learn strategies to deal with crying
If shaken, take to ER immediately
Cultural Practices
Vietnamese folk practice
– Coining - Cao Gio
Mexican-American practice
– Burns - “cupping”
– Head Injuries - “fallen fontanelle”
Natural Marks
Mongolian Spots
Salmon Patches
Strawberry Marks
Emotional Abuse
Pattern of behavior
that interferes with the
positive emotional
development
and sense of self-worth
Emotional Abuse
Rejection
Verbal assault
Withholding love
Terrorizing the child
Emotional Abuse
Not providing basic nurturing
Refusing help for child’s mental
health needs
Failure to provide physical/mental
stimulation to grow
Exposure to domestic violence
Sexual Abuse and
Unlawful Sexual
Behavior
“Touching” offenses, such as
Fondling
Intercourse, rape, sodomy
Child forced to touch perpetrator
in sexual manner
Sexual Abuse and
Unlawful Sexual
Behavior
“Non-touching” offenses, such as
Indecent exposure or exhibitionism
Exposing children to pornographic
material
Masturbating in front of a child
Symptoms of Sexual
Abuse
Symptoms can be physical, behavioral,
or emotional, such as
Poor peer relationships
Pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease
Sexual acting out or sexual knowledge
beyond that appropriate for age
Child Neglect
Failure to provide basic necessities
–
–
–
–
food
clothing
shelter
medical care
Types of Neglect
Safety or Supervisional Neglect
– inadequate supervision, abandonment, failure
to safely store weapons or toxic materials
Educational Neglect
– failure to enroll a child in school or attend to
the child’s educational needs
Medical Neglect
– withholding important medical care necessary
to the child’s well being and health
What to do!!
Believe
Listen
Reassure
Rephrase
Inform
Report
What NOT to do!!
Promise confidentiality
Panic or act shocked
Ask leading questions
Make negative comments about
perpetrator
Suggest the abuse did not happen
or the child is mistaken
Child Protection
Contact
your supervisor
Follow center policies and
procedures
Child Protection
Reporting
Investigation
Child
Protection Team
Court Process
Central Registry
Reporting
Child Abuse/Neglect in
Your County
Know your local department of human
services child protection hotline
You can find this information on-line:
www.cdhs.state.co.us/cyf/child_welfare/county_phone_numbers.htm