Help Stop Child Abuse

1. Help StopChild Abuse What You Need to Know . . .

2. Georgia 2003 92,612 total reports 27,911 real incidences Every 30 minutes a child is a confirmed victim 70 fatalities 66% of child deaths related to abuse or neglect were determined to be preventable 83% of abusers are the parents of the child Nation 2002 2.6 million total reports 896,000 real incidences Over ½ of all victims are under the age of seven Over 75% of child fatalities as a result of child abuse and neglect are children under the age of four The leading cause of maltreatment death is neglect In 73% of children who were sexually abused, the abuse lasted more than 5 years The Problem

3. Types of Abuse • Neglect • Physical • Sexual • Emotional

4. Physical Neglect Not Providing: Adequate food & clothing Appropriate medical care Supervision Proper weather protection (heat & coats) Can include: Abandonment Behavior Stealing food Constant fatigue Inappropriate seeking of attention Possible Signs of Neglect

5. Educational Failure to provide appropriate schooling Failure to provide special education needs Allowing excessive truancies Psychological Lack of any emotional support and love Never attending to the child Spousal abuse Drug & alcohol abuse including allowing child to participate in drug and alcohol use. . . . more Possible Signs of Neglect

6. Home Alone DFCS policy states: • Children 8 or younger should NEVER be left alone. • Children 9 -12 may be left alone for up to two hours at a time. (Based on maturity level) • Children 13 & older who are sufficiently mature may be left alone and may act as a baby-sitter as authorized by parents or caretakers for up to twelve hours.

7. Physical Signs Unexplained bruises & welts Unexplained burns Unexplained fractures/dislocations Bald patches on scalp Behavioral Signs Wary of adult contact Aggressiveness or withdrawal Afraid to go home Manipulative behavior Poor self-concept Possible Indicators of Physical Abuse

8. Physical Indicators Difficulty in walking or sitting Pain when urinating Excessive masturbation Behavioral Indicators Sophisticated sexual knowledge Aggressive acting out Poor peer relationship Reports sexual abuse Sexually acting out on younger children Possible Indicatorsof Sexual Abuse

9. Physical Speech disorders Behind in physical development Failure to thrive Hyperactive/disruptive behavior Behavioral Bad Habits Conduct/learning disorders Behavior extremes Suicide attempts Behavior development lags Possible Signs of Emotional Abuse

10. Georgia Law • School employees are mandated reporters (follow protocol of reporting) • Immunity from liability • Confidential • Failure to report – GUILTY of misdemeanor

11. Responses to Avoid • Are you sure this is happening? • Are you telling me the truth? • Why are you telling me? • Let me know if this happens again. • Why didn’t you stop it? • What did you do to make this happen?

12. Good Responses to a Child • I believe you. • I’m glad you told me. • It is not your fault this happened. • (Sexual) abuse is wrong. • I will do whatever I can to help you.

13. Reporting Abuse • Immediately tell the Counselor • If a Counselor is not available, talk with an Administrator. • No Counselor, No Administrator, (Have secretary or ASP Dir. contact Admin. by cell phone) • Call Susan Goethe or Brian Otott (BOE) (if Administrator cannot be contacted) • Information needed: Child’s name, Parents name, address, phone number.

14. Just think . . .You might just save a child’s life!