In case of an immediate
emergency or crisis, always dial 911
Signs and symptoms of suspected abuse may include:
SEXUAL ABUSE: - Inappropriate interest or
knowledge of sexual acts - Nightmares and bed wetting - Drastic changes in appetite - Clinging behaviors - Drop in school grades - Lack of interest in normal activities - Over compliance or excessive aggression -
Fear or a particular person or family member
PHYSICAL ABUSE: - Wearing inappropriate clothing for weather conditions, i.e. long sleeves or
pants in the summer - "Pattern Shaped" or excessive marks, scars, cuts, burns, bites or bruising on various
body parts such as the: back, upper thighs, buttocks, genitals, upper arms, face and stomach areas - Completely unexplained
or multiple 'rehearsed' excuses/stories for each injury, typically blaming themselves for causing the injuries or
markings.
NEGLECT: - Siblings who
act as caretakers for younger siblings and/or incompetent parents. - Children who are malnourished, unkempt and
may have poor hygiene. - Dirty clothing and/or wearing inappropriate clothing for the season. - Overly hungry
and/or 'hoarding' of food. - Extreme low self-esteem and self worth. - Children may be frequently tired
and have difficulty concentrating.
What do I do if a child discloses suspected
abuse information?
BELIEVE THE CHILD Always reassure the child that they are NOT to
blame for what happened. Children may keep the abuse secret for a very long time. Some children may have been
threatened by the suspect and told that the abuse was their fault. Let the child discuss their victimization, but do
not question and interrogate them. They may have kept their secret for a long time and need to "vent" to decrease
their stress level.
UNDERSTAND THAT THE CHILD IS PROBABLY HAVING MIXED FEELINGS When
a child is be victimized by someone they know, they may continue to have both negative and positive feelings
for the person.
NEVER TRY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION YOURSELF! Let
the professionals ask the tough questions. It is also much less stressful on a child if they can minimize the number
of times they must repeat the incident(s). Defense attorneys can easily discredit a child if they have been asked
'leading' questions by a non-professional interviewer.
REPORTING: What to do next...
Explain to the child what you will do next to help them. Call your
local Department of Social Services or law enforcement officials.
When
you call, be prepared to provide (if possible): 1) The child's name 2) Age 3) Address and phone
numbers 4) Gender & sibling information 5) Name of the parents 6) School currently attending 7)
Brief information regarding the situation or disclosure - exactly as it was related to you by the child.
Can I remain anonymous?
What if I am wrong about suspecting abuse?
Yes, you can remain anonymous, however, it is more helpful
to the investigators if you disclose your name. Anyone can report suspected abuse. People who report abuse, even
if it is not validated by authorities, are protected under the "good faith" law and granted immunity from civil
or criminal liability. "Good faith" is an honest belief that a child has been or is in danger of being abused.
JOURNEYS, Inc., CPS For questions or comments regarding this website... click: Ms. W. B. Master
