Reporting Child Abuse

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Menstuff® has compiled the following information on Reporting Child Abuse.

Know the Warning Signs of Abuse
Abuse in Public Places
Reporting Child Abuse and Maltreatment
Some questions and answers about reporting abuse
False Allegations
Impact from False Charges
Things You Can Do to Prevent Child Abuse
Resources
Related Issues: Talking With Kids About Tough Issues, Abuse, Child Maltreatment, Children, Circumcision, Gangs, Hazing, Incest/Molestation, Ritual Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Violence, Domestic Violence, Women's Violence and Prisons.
Books - Abuse - Boys, Abuse - Children, Abuse - MPD, Abuse - Ritual, Abuse-Sexual, Circumcision, Anger, Forgiveness, Violence, Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, Sexual Harassment, and Women's Violence
Journals & Periodicals - on Child, Elder, Emotional, Religious, and Sexual Abuse and Trauma
Bumper Sticker - Make the World Safe for Children

Know the Warning Signs of Abuse

• Nervous around adults or afriad of certain adults.
• Reluctant to go home (coming to school early or staying late, for example)
• Very passive and withdrawn - or aggressive and disruptive.
• Tired a lot, or they may complain of nightmares or not sleeping well.
• Fearful and anxious.

Abused children may also show sudden changes in behavior or school performance. These signs don't prove that a child is being abused. But they could be a signal that the child and his or her family need help.

Some signs of physical abuse:

• Unexplained burns, bruises, black eyes or other injuries.
• Apparent fear of a parent or caretaker
• Faded bruises or healing injuries after missing school

Some signs of sexual abuse:

• Difficulty walking or sitting, or other indications of injury in the genital area
• Sexual knowledge or behavior beyond what is normal for the child's age
• Running away from home

Some signs of emotional abuse:

• Acting overly mature or immature for the child's age.
• Extreme changes in behavior
• Delays in physical or emotional development
• Attempted suicide
• Lack of emotional attachment to the parent

Some signs of neglect.

• Missing school a lot
• Begging for or stealing money for food
• Lacking needed medical or dental care
• Being frequently dirty
• Using alcohol or other drugs
• Saying there is no one at home to take care of him or her.

Also, know the signs of an abusive adult. Consider the possibility of abuse if a parent or caretaker:

• Seems unconcerned about the child's welfare at school or at home
• Denies problems at school or at home - or blames the child for them
• Sees the child as worthless or as a burden
• Avoids discussing the child's injuries, or gives conflicting explanations for them
• Abuses alcohol or other drugs
• Seems isolated from other parents and school, and community activities
• Uses harsh physical discipline or asks other caretakers to use it
• Depends on the child for emotional support
• Seems indifferent to the child
• Seems secretive or tries to isolate the child from other children
• Frequently blames, belittles or insults the child.

Abuse in Public Places

• Divert the adult's attention: Start a conversation with the adult. Offer sympathy. For example, you could say, "Shopping with children can really try your patience, can't it?"
• Talk to the Child: If the child is acting out or misbehaving, start a friendly conversation to distract him or her.
• Priase the parent or child: Find something positive to say about the child or the parent. For example: "That's a pretty dress your daughter is wearing. Where did you get it?"
• Offer to Help: For example, if a child has been left unattended in a grocery cart, stay near him or her until a caretaker returns.
• Avoid Negative Looks or Comments: This may only increase the adult's anger, making things worse for the child.

Reporting Child Abuse and Maltreatment

• Reporting abuse could save a life. Children die every day from injuries caused by child abuse. Often, someone was aware of the abuse, but didn't report it.
• Abusive families need help. Reporting abuse can help connect families with counseling and services. This may help relieve a family's stress - and prevent future abuse.
• The cycle of abuse can be stopped. Victims of abuse who receive counseling and treatment are less likely to become abusers or have other problems as they grow up.
• It may be your legal responsibility. Most states have laws requiring anyone who works with children (teachers, nurses, social workers, doctors, etc.) to report abuse.

When a child tells an adult that he or she has been sexually abused, the adult may feel uncomfortable and may not know what to say or do. The following guidelines should be used when responding to children who say they have been sexually abused:

What to Say

• If a child even hints in a vague way that sexual abuse has occurred, encourage him or her to talk freely. Don't make judgmental comments.
• Show that you understand and take seriously what the child is saying. Child and adolescent psychiatrists have found that children who are listened to and understood do much better than those who are not. The response to the disclosure of sexual abuse is critical to the child's ability to resolve and heal the trauma of sexual abuse.
• Assure the child that they did the right thing in telling. A child who is close to the abuser may feel guilty about revealing the secret. The child may feel frightened if the abuser has threatened to harm the child or other family members as punishment for telling the secret.
• Tell the child that he or she is not to blame for the sexual abuse. Most children in attempting to make sense out of the abuse will believe that somehow they caused it or may even view it as a form of punishment for imagined or real wrongdoings.
• Finally, offer the child protection, and promise that you will promptly take steps to see that the abuse stops.

What to Do

• Report any suspicion of child abuse. If the abuse is within the family, report it to the local Child Protection Agency. If the abuse is outside of the family, report it to the police or district attorney's office. Individuals reporting in good faith are immune from prosecution. The agency receiving the report will conduct an evaluation and will take action to protect the child.
• Parents should consult with their pediatrician or family physician, who may refer them to a physician who specializes in evaluating and treating sexual abuse. The examining doctor will evaluate the child's condition and treat any physical problem related to the abuse, gather evidence to help protect the child, and reassure the child that he or she is all right.
• Usually, the child should also have a psychiatric evaluation to find out how the sexual abuse has affected them, and to determine whether ongoing professional help is necessary for the child to deal with the trauma of the abuse. The child and adolescent psychiatrist can also provide support to other family members who may be upset by the abuse.
• While most allegations of sexual abuse made by children are true, some false accusations may arise in custody disputes and in other situations. Occasionally, the court will ask a child and adolescent psychiatrist to help determine whether the child is telling the truth, or whether it will hurt the child to speak in court about the abuse.
• When a child is asked as to testify, special considerations--such as videotaping, frequent breaks, exclusion of spectators, and the option not to look at the accused--make the experience much less stressful.
• Adults, because of their maturity and knowledge, are always the ones to blame when they abuse children. The abused children should never be blamed.
• When a child tells someone about sexual abuse, a supportive, caring response is the first step in getting help for the child and reestablishing their trust in adults.

Reprinted with permission by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). The above information is presented for educational purposes only, and it is not a substitute for informed medical advice or training. Please do not use this information to diagnose or treat a mental health problem without consulting a qualified health or mental health care provider.

Editor's Note: Fathers whose wives or girlfriends are abusive or neglectful of their children and fail to report the abuse to authorities are often treated more harshly by the judicial system than the actual perpetrator. Lack for action to protect your children may result in prison time. It also may result in you being charged as the actual abuser. And, while things are changing as society realizes that over 62% of all child abuse is committed by women, that risk remains. However, not reporting it and the authorities finding out about it can almost guarantee charges against you and the loss of contact with your children.

Some questions and answers about reporting abuse

What happens when a report is made? The process varies from state to state. In general:

• An investigator may visit the home and interview the child, the parents or other caretakers.
• The investigator helps determine whether the child is being abused or at risk for abuse.
• The case may be referred to social services or to juvenile, family or criminal court.

How will the child be protected? If abuse is occurring in the home:

• The child may be temporarily removed from the home.
• The child may go to live with relatives or a fost family.
• The family may be required to seek counseling or other serivces to help prevent future abuse.

If the parents don't cooperate with these requirements, they could risk losing custody of the child permanently.

Will the abuser be punished? It depends. Often, the goal is to help the abuser break the cycle of abuse, so the family can stay together. In some cases, the abuser may face criminal charges. (Editor's Note: Remember, that if you are the partner of the abuser and don't report the abuse, you too may face criminal charges.)

I reported abuse, and nothing happened. What else can I do? Keep in mind that you may not have the legal right to know what steps were taken to protect the child. If you are still concerned about the child, you can help in other ways:

• Talk to the child's teacher, a school counselor or a leader of the family's faith community. They may be in a position to reach out to the family.
• Offer support to the family, if it's appropriate. Offer to help with child care, chores, etc.
• Be kind and supportive to any child you suspect is being abused or neglected at home.

And, keep reporting the abuse until the situation is resolved.

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