Child Abuse Alert A Desk Reference Jewish Child Care Association Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies
Hot Line To report child abuse or neglect, call the New York State Child Abuse Hot Line General Public: (anonymous calls accepted) 1-800-342-3720 Mandated Reporters: 1-800-635-1522 If you wish to make copies of the Child Abuse Alert, please include a copy of the front cover. Revised 2007
There is a much-quoted proverb that says, It takes a whole village to raise a child. This booklet is written for the whole village, for the sake of the children. Child Abuse Alert is addressed to two groups of people the friends, neighbors and family members of children at risk, and the community of people who work professionally with children and are mandated to report abuse and neglect. Adults who want to help a child they suspect is being abused face a difficult dilemma. On one hand, they worry about making an unfair accusation. On the other, they worry that if they don t act, a child could be harmed. This booklet is designed to help you recognize some of the signs that a child is at risk, and to give you the confidence to act. Note that many of the indicators and behaviors described in this booklet may exist in families in which there is no abuse. Also, families in which there is abuse do not necessarily exhibit these characteristics. This booklet will discuss three types of child maltreatment and the characteristic indicators and behaviors that will help you identify each. PHYSICAL ABUSE occurs when a parent or caretaker inflicts, or allows another person to inflict physical injury to the child. In its most extreme forms, physical abuse is easily spotted. However, there are usually many warning signs and less severe incidents of abuse that occur before serious injuries are inflicted. A timely response can make the difference. NEGLECT occurs when, regardless of cause, a parent or caretaker does not provide necessary food, clothing, shelter, education, supervision or health care for a child. Neglect is the most frequent form of child maltreatment, and may cause more long-term damage than many cases of physical abuse. Extreme physical neglect is easily identified, but even less obvious cases also may result in significant, long-lasting consequences for a child. SEXUAL ABUSE is a general term describing behavior by adults or older children that seduces or coerces a child into sexual contact, including sexual molestation, incest, sexual assault, or involvement in pornography. Sexual abuse is more difficult to identify than other kinds of maltreatment, as it usually can be suggested only by behavior or learned through a child s disclosure. A physical examination may be necessary for certainty.
physical abuse child p h y s i c a l i n d i c a t o r s Bruises and welts Bite marks Choke marks and scratches Burns Fractures Loss of hair or bald spot Unexplained or vaguely explained injuries Several injuries, bruises or broken bones in various stages of healing Tells teachers or others of being hurt or injured at home Explanation of injury keeps changing or does not make sense Cringes or flinches when touched b e h a v i o r Seems afraid of adults Wears long sleeves or other concealing clothing (often inappropriate for season) Stares off into space (a lot) Fears going home or runs away Is unusually aggressive with same age or younger children
physical abuse parent caretaker Uses discipline which is inappropriate or extreme for the child s age or behavior Hides child s injuries and fails to obtain medical care for injured child Avoids contact with authorities and is reluctant to share information about child with them b e h a v i o r Refuses consent for medical examination/diagnostic testing Uses many different medical facilities Regularly criticizes or threatens child Keeps child out of sight Consistently singles out one child in family as bad in comparison with others Prevents or limits child s outside social contacts Has unrealistic expectations of child
neglect child Appears malnourished p h y s i c a l i n d i c a t o r s Unattended physical needs, such as medical, dental, etc. Wears clothing that is inappropriate for season Constantly tired or without energy Regularly dirty and messy Shows developmental lags (cannot do things that same age children can do) Significant weight loss Begs or steals food Is frequently late, absent or truant from school Reports that there is no caretaker at home b e h a v i o r Uses alcohol or drugs Bites, sucks or rocks beyond toddlerhood Demands either constant attention or seeks no attention Is inattentive or has short attention span
neglect parent caretaker Leaves child with caretakers who are too young or unable to appropriately care for the child Appears intoxicated or high Allows child to engage in dangerous activities b e h a v i o r Maintains excessively dirty, dangerous or chaotic home Denies child medical treatment Permits child access to inappropriate substances Ignores child s requests for affection and attention Regularly fails to keep appointments concerning child s needs
sexual abuse child p h y s i c a l i n d i c a t o r s Bruises, bleeding or abnormalities in genital or anal area Venereal diseases, vaginal or urinary tract diseases Pain or itching in genital area Difficulty in walking or sitting Frequent bad dreams, nightmares or sleep problems Eating problems Frequent wetting or soiling after toilet training has been achieved Has unusual sexual knowledge Behaves in a seductive or promiscuous (sexual) manner Shows extreme interest in his or her sexual organs, in other children s, or in parents Inappropriate sexual play b e h a v i o r Seems unusually fearful of particular person or setting Masturbates excessively Avoids being touched or is overly eager for physical contact Acts overly suspicious, watchful or fearful of physical examination Regularly behaves in either a babyish or very adultlike way Demonstrates big behavior change, such as a large drop in school performance
sexual abuse parent caretaker Has a history of sexual abuse offenses Very watchful and guarded about issues related to sexuality Uses many different medical facilities b e h a v i o r Is physically intrusive with child Acts as though child is either much older or younger than actual age Prevents or limits child s outside social contacts Views child as a possession
all forms of abuse family risk factors Parent/caretaker and family characteristics that often are present in cases of maltreatment: Was neglected or physically abused as a child Has drug or alcohol problems (any family member) Was sexually abused as a child or adolescent Has little or no contact with extended family or other supportive adults Is unfamiliar with normal child development or disciplinary techniques that don t involve physical punishment c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s Has chronic illness, physical or mental disability (any family member) Has had multiple moves or changes in household membership Lives in overcrowded or inadequate housing Has had loss of employment or other source of income If you suspect that a friend, relative or neighbor has mistreated a child, you should call the hotline number listed in this booklet, 1-800-342-3720.
questions for mandated reporters to engage children: If you are a mandated reporter (caseworker, teacher, healthcare worker, etc.), the following questions may be useful to help gather information from children and caretakers to determine risk: What do you like most about yourself? What do you feel proud of? What do you do that makes your parents proud of you? How do they show you they are proud of you? What do you do that makes your parents angry or worried? How do they show you that they are angry or worried? What happens when you do something wrong? What kinds of things worry you about yourself? What kinds of things worry you about your family? What do you do when you are scared? Who do you talk to when you are sad or worried? When you do something great, who do you tell about it?
questions for mandated reporters to engage parents, foster parents or other caretakers: What about your child do you like best? How does your child make you proud? What do you do when you are pleased with your child? What did you do as a child that upset your parents? What do you do when your child upsets you? How do you punish your child? What are your greatest worries about your child? What do you do well as a parent/caretaker? What do you need to learn as a parent/caretaker? Do you like being a parent/caretaker? What advice would you give someone who was thinking about becoming a parent/caretaker?
questions for caseworkers assessing risk: Have you visited the child s home? Were the physical premises reasonably clean and safe for children? Was there adequate food in the house? Did you see the child alone during the visit? Did the child look healthy and clean? When you visited, did you have the opportunity to speak with all the people living at the family s residence? From what you have observed, is there anyone in the household who may be a danger to the child? Does the family appear to want the child? Do the parents appear interested in the child? Has there been a change in the child s attendance at school or visibility in the community?
notes
To report child abuse or neglect, call the New York State Child Abuse Hot Line General Public: (anonymous calls accepted) 1-800-342-3720 Mandated Reporters: 1-800-635-1522 Hot Line
Jewish Child Care Association Jewish Child Care Association (JCCA) is a comprehensive child and family services agency. We work with those who need us most, including children who have been neglected or abused, immigrant Jewish families, and those building new lives. Most of our clients come to us because they struggle with poverty or family crises, and because they are working to create an independent future. JCCA helps more than 12,000 children and families every year and is consistently rated at the highest levels for the quality of our programs. In all our work, we are motivated by tikkun olam, the value within Jewish tradition that calls upon all of us to repair the world, and by our belief that every child deserves to grow up hopeful. The Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies The Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies is the representative and coordinating body of 130 voluntary not-for-profit organizations that provide foster care, adoption, family preservation and special education services throughout New York State. The Council and its member agencies are dedicated to providing high quality services for children and families in need. 120 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005 (212) 425-3333 www.jccany.org a member of COFCCA Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies 254 W 31st St, New York, NY 10001 (212) 929-2626 155 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210 (518) 463-2348 www.cofcca.org