Child Abuse. The Hidden Crime. Child Abuse. In 2000, an average of children were found to be victims of child abuse each day. children.

Transcription

1 Child Abuse The Hidden Crime In 2000, an average of children were found to be victims of child abuse each day. children Child Abuse Abused child: Maltreated child 1

2 Physical Behavioral Maltreatment Neglect Failure to Thrive Sexual Indicators Mandated reporters How to report: Call NY State Child Abuse & Maltreatment Central Register ( ) When to Report: Obligations of mandated reporters RNs are required by law to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment to the NYS Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment when in their professional roles, they are presented with reasonable cause.(based on your professional training & experience, feel a child has been harmed or placed in imminent danger of harm). 2

3 Immunity vs. Penalties Any person who in good faith makes a report has immunity from any liability civil and criminal that might be a result of such actions. Any person required by law to report a case of suspected child abuse or maltreatment, who willfully fails to do so, may be guilty of a class A misdemeanor. May also be civilly liable for damages caused by the failure to report. Behavioral & Environmental Characteristics Social, cultural, or familial factors are known to correlate with various kinds of abuse and neglect. 1. Severe personal problems, ie drug addiction, alcoholism, mental illness. 2. Family crises of unemployment, death, desertion, ill health. 3. Geographic and/or social isolation of family. 4. Parental characteristics stemming from own childhood abuse. Physical Indicators of Abuse Review handout 3

4 Behavioral Indicators of Abuse Review handout Maltreatment and Neglect Physical indicators: Behavioral indicators: Maltreatment >1,000+ children die from maltreatment During the past decade, there has been substantial progress in understanding the symptomatology associated with maltreatment. Prevention & intervention research studies are relatively rare and have limitations Future - focus on understanding factors leading to better outcomes & psychotherapeutic & psychopharmacological treatment strategies 4

5 5 Types of Neglect Physical neglect -food, shelter Emotional neglect - no affection, nurturing Educational neglect - no schooling Safety neglect - Medical neglect - ignore care, no immunizations Failure to Thrive below 5 th percentile-wt. & Ht. Organic: syndromes such as cardiac Nonorganic: Family stressors; inadequate nutrition knowledge; poverty; disturbed parentchild interaction, little emotional attachment Clinical manifestations Lethargy with poor muscle tone, loss of SQ fat or skin breakdown Rocking on all fours excessively, as if seeking stimulation, if emotionally deprived Little cuddling or conforming to being held by the second month of life Possibly a greater reluctance to reach for toys or initiate human contact than the average infant 5

6 Sexual Abuse Physical indicators: review handout Behavioral indicators: Do: Interviewing the Child Don t: Nursing Diagnosis - Fear R/t the possible outcomes of sense of shame, and/or possible loss of family,amb Demonstrate acceptance of the child during the physical assessment Encourage child to talk about fears & feelings Carefully assess the child s emotional status & behavior Provide a consistent person to whom the child can relate Encourage introduction to a foster family if the child is to be placed in one. 6

7 Interviewing the Parents Do: Don t: STOP IT NOT NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION 1992 Goal: prevent child sexual abuse by challenging all adults to take responsibility to protect children Helpline (PREVENT) Speak with a counselor guide individual through difficult topics Domestic Violence Physical abuse, Sexual abuse, Psychological abuse Abuse to property & pets Widespread, occurs all socioeconomic groups 7

8 Abuse Male batterers frequently abuse their children Women - hit by husbands, twice as likely to abuse a child Over 3 million children - at risk for parental violence. >1,000+ children die from maltreatment The Pattern of Abuse Acute Incident: related to both an increased stress level in the population as a whole & better reporting of abuse. De-escalation: neither side can prevail, but both sides are being harmed by continuing the confrontation Progression of Violence: pre-battering violence, beginning level violence, moderate level violence, severe level violence Why Do Battered Women Feel Trapped? Many reasons why it may be difficult to be safe or to end a relationship with a violent partner. Risks - seeking help or deciding to leave Risk to children Response from friends Financial 8

9 Safety Planning Remember you have the right to live without fear or violence. National Domestic Violence Hotline # SAFE Steps to increase your safety while you deal with the violence in your personal life. Role of the Provider Domestic Violence Support Services Programs Domestic Violence Emergency Shelter Assistance Resources and Options Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence: , 24h hotline: NYS D V hotline: (Spanish: ) Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk (VIBS) Brighter Tomorrows (shelter: ) The Retreat: