| Domestic Discussions by Laura Mann |
| If you have a question about abusive relationships or have a topic you would like Laura to cover in the next newsletter, please write to her. lemann98@yahoo.com |
| Check out the Domestic Violence Fact Sheet |
| April is Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month. Please display a blue ribbon for awareness. Feel free to contact me with any questions. Most states have a "Prevent Child Abuse" website. See if you can find the one for your state and check it out. If not, Indiana's is a great source of information. www.pcain.org Thanks for helping to keep our most precious gifts, safe. |
| Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect PHYSICAL ABUSE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Infliction of physical injury or allowing another to do so. Physical Indicators Unexplained bruises Unexplained welts Unexplained burns Unexplained lumps Unexplained bumps Unexplained fractures Unexplained lacerations or abrasions Hemorrhages Burns by cigarettes Burns by immersion Dental/oral injuries Behavioral Indicators - Child Verbally reports abuse Too eager to please Depression Low self-esteem Behavioral extremes Role reversal Developmental lags Appears frightened of caretaker Apprehensive children cry Exaggerated startle response School absenteeism Behavioral Indicators of Caretaker - harsh disciplinarian, describes child in a consistently negative manner, defensive, conceals or misleads about child's injuries, substance abuser If you suspect a child is suffering from physical abuse, report it to Child Protective Services. NEGLECT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chronic failure to meet basic needs of a child for food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education or supervision. Physical Indicators Flat, bald spots on infant's head Dirty, smelly Torn, dirty or inappropriate clothing for the weather Developmental lags Underweight Behavioral Indicators - Child Dull Listless Begging/stealing food Constant fatigue Alcohol or drug use Reports being left alone Behavioral Characteristics of Caretaker - substance abuser, chaotic life style, apathetic, expects too much of child For more information on a specific form of neglect, medical neglect, click here. If you suspect a child is suffering from neglect, report it to Child Protective Services. SEXUAL ABUSE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Utilization of a child for sexual gratification by an adult or older child in a position of power, or permitting another person to do so. Physical Indicators Any venereal disease Bruised/dilated genitals or rectum Pregnancy under 16 years of age Difficulty/pain in walking or sitting Foreign matter in bladder, rectum or urethra Pelvic inflammatory disease Torn, stained or bloody underclothing Recurrent urinary tract infections Behavioral Indicators - Child Aggressive, overt sexual behavior Drawing pictures of people with genitals or vagina Cruelty to animals without physiological basis Pre-mature knowledge of explicit sexual acts Sleep disorders Taking frequent baths Starting fires Self-inflicted injuries Expresses fear of a particular person or place Reports sexual abuse Behavioral Indicators of Caretaker - extremely protective of family privacy, does not allow child to be involved in extra-curricular activities, does not want child to engage in developmentally appropriate activities i.e. dating, encourages child into prostitution, substance abuser For more information on sexual abuse, click here If you suspect a child is suffering from sexual abuse, report it to Child Protective Services. EMOTIONAL MALTREATMENT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Emotional Neglect - Chronic failure by the caretaker to provide support and affection necessary to develop a sound and healthy personality. Emotional Abuse - Chronic attitude or acts of a caretaker which are detrimental to the child's development of a sound and healthy personality. Behavioral Indicators Low self esteem Difficulty forming positive relationships Eating disorders Elimination problems Speech disorders Inability to trust Sleep problems Sadistic, masochistic Apathetic Suicidal Withdrawal Anxiety, fear Developmental lags Reports emotional maltreatment Behavioral Characteristics of Caretaker - rejecting, ignoring, terrorizing, isolating, corrupting For more information on emotional maltreatment, click here If you suspect a child is suffering from emotional maltreatment, report it to Child Protective Services. Prevent Child Abuse Indiana 32 East Washington Street Suite 1200 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Phone: 317.634.9282 Fax: 317.634.9295 800.CHILDREN 800.244.5373 Email: generalinfo@pcain.org Suspected child abuse or neglect should be reported to Child Protective Services (CPS). They operate a 24-hour, 7-day a week hotline: 1-800-800-5556. There is also a local number for every county if you are unable to get through. Click here, check your phone book or call Prevent Child Abuse Indiana at 317.634.9282 to get your local CPS number. You may also contact you local law enforcement agency to report abuse or neglect. Remember, Indiana law requires the reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect. Callers can remain anonymous and are immune from all civil and criminal liability, provided they have made the report in good faith. When you call CPS, it is important that you have all of the identifying information in front of you: name, ages of each child, address, phone number. You may call without this information, but it helps CPS quickly investigate. When you are describing a situation, remain calm and maintain a "factual" manner with dates, eyewitness observations and direct conversations. Biased language is often a "red flag" for a CPS report, which is why it is important to keep your report factual. |