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| E. Shoshone Department of Family Services # 104 Washakie Street P.O Box #945 Ft. Washakie, WY 82514 Ph: (307) 332-6591/6592 or 856-7870 Fax: (307) 332-6593 |
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Recognizing Child Abuse: What You Should Know |
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| The first step in helping abused children is learning to recognize the symptoms of child abuse. Although child abuse is divided into four types -- physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional maltreatment -- the types are more typically found in combination than alone. A physically abused child for example is often emotionally maltreated as well, and a sexually abused child may be also neglected. Any child at any age may experience any of the types of child abuse. Children over age five are more likely to be physically abused and to suffer moderate injury than are children under age five. | ||
1. Recognizing Child Abuse |
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| RECOGNIZING CHILD ABUSE Experienced educators likely have seen all forms of child abuse at one time or another. They are alert to signs like these that may signal the presence of child abuse. The Child: • Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance; • Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents' attention; • Has learning problems that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes; • Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen; • Lacks adult supervision; • Is overly compliant, an overachiever, or too responsible; or • Comes to school early, stays late, and does not want to go home. The Parent: The Parent and Child: |
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| SIGNS OF PHYSICAL ABUSE Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the child: • Has unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, or black eyes; • Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school; • Seems frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home from school; • Shrinks at the approach of adults; or • Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver. Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver: • Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for the child's injury; • Describes the child as "evil," or in some other very negative way; • Uses harsh physical discipline with the child; or • Has a history of abuse as a child. |
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SIGNS OF NEGLECT Consider the possibility of neglect when the child: • Is frequently absent from school; • Begs or steals food or money from classmates; • Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses; • Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor; • Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather; • Abuses alcohol or other drugs; or • States there is no one at home to provide care. Consider the possibility of neglect when the parent or other adult caregiver: • Appears to be indifferent to the child; • Seems apathetic or depressed; • Behaves irrationally or in a bizarre manner; or • Is abusing alcohol or other drugs. |
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| SIGNS OF SEXUAL ABUSE Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the child: • Has difficulty walking or sitting; • Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities; • Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior; • Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if under age fourteen; • Runs away; or • Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver. Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver: • Is unduly protective of the child, severely limits the child's contact with other children, especially of the opposite sex; • Is secretive and isolated; or • Describes marital difficulties involving family power struggles or sexual relations. |
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| SIGNS OF EMOTIONAL MALTREATMENT Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment when the child: • Shows extremes in behavior, such as overly compliant or demanding behavior, extreme passivity or aggression; • Is either inappropriately adult (parenting other children, for example) or inappropriately infantile (frequently rocking or head-banging, for example); • Is delayed in physical or emotional development; • Has attempted suicide; or • Reports a lack of attachment to the parent. Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment when the parent or other adult caregiver: • Constantly blames, belittles, or berates the child; • Is unconcerned about the child and refuses to consider offers of help for the child's school problems; or • Overtly rejects the child. |
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| What You Can Do: REACHOUT Anything you do to support kids and parents can help reduce the stress that often leads to abuse and neglect. Be a friend to a parent you know. Ask how their children are doing. Draw on your own experiences to provide reassurance and support. If a parent seems to be struggling, offer to baby-sit or run errands, or just lend a friendly ear. Show you understand. Be a friend to a child you know. Remember their names. Smile when you talk with them. Ask them about their day at school. Send them a card in the mail. Show you care. Give your used clothing, furniture and toys for use by another family. This can help relieve the stress of financial burdens that parents sometimes take out on their kids. Volunteer your time and money for programs in your community that support children and families, like parent support groups or day care centers. Reach Out Raise the Issue Remember the Risk Factors Recognize the Warning Signs Report Suspected Abuse or Neglect Reach Out Raise the Issue Remember the Risk Factors Recognize the Warning Signs Report Suspected Abuse or Neglect |
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