Child Abuse

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What is Child Abuse?

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"To many, child abuse is narrowly defined as having only physical implications. In reality, child abuse includes:
• Physical abuse; unlawful corporal punishment or injury
• General and severe neglect
• Sexual abuse; sexual assault; exploitation
• Willful cruelty or unjustifiable punishment; emotional maltreatment"

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Child Abuse

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means a physical injury, which is inflicted by other than accidental means, on a child by another person. Child abuse also means the sexual abuse of a child or any act or omission proscribed by Section 273a (willful cruelty or unjustifiable punishment of a child) or 273b (unlawful corporal punishment or injury). Child abuse does not mean a mutual affray between minors.

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Neglect

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means the negligent treatment or the maltreatment of a child by a person responsible for the child's welfare under circumstances indicating harm or threatened harm to the child's health or welfare. The term includes both acts and omission on the part of the responsible person. Neglect is described under two categories: severe and general.

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Severe Neglect

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means the negligent failure of a person having the "care or custody of a child to protect the child from severe malnutrition or medically diagnosed non-organic failure to thrive. Severe neglect also means those situations of neglect where any person having the care or custody of a child, willfully causes or permits the person or health of the child to be placed in a situation such that his or her person or health is endangered. This includes the intentional failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter or medical care.

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General Neglect

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means the negligent failure of a person having the care or custody of a child to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care or supervision where no physical injury to the child has occurred.

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Sexual Abuse

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means sexual assault or sexual exploitation of a person under the age of 18 years.means sexual assault or sexual exploitation of a person under the age of 18 years.means sexual assault or sexual exploitation of a person under the age of 18 years.means sexual assault or sexual exploitation of a person under the age of 18 years.means sexual assault or sexual exploitation of a person under the age of 18 years.means sexual assault or sexual exploitation of a person under the age of 18 years.means sexual assault or sexual exploitation of a person under the age of 18 years.means sexual assault or sexual exploitation of a person under the age of 18 years.means sexual assault or sexual exploitation of a person under the age of 18 years.

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Sexual Assault

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means conduct involving rape, statutory rape, rape in concert, incest, sodomy, lewd or lascivious acts upon a child, oral copulation, penetration of a genital or anal opening by a foreign object or child molestation.

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Sexual Exploitation

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refers to conduct involving matter depicting a minor engaged in obscene acts or in preparing, selling or distributing obscene matter, as well as employment of minor to perform obscene acts.

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What happens after the report is filed?

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1. Investigation by law enforcement or protective agency
2. Law enforcement agency may:
a. Decide to take no action
b. Take child into protective custody (e.g. county facility or foster placement)
c. Place child in custody of a family member
d. File criminal charges
e. Refer case to probation, welfare or service agency
3. All verified reports are entered into a statewide index in Sacramento
Identification of known factors:

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Identification of known factors:

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Environmental factors
Psychosocial stressors impacting family:
Parental indicators
Physical indicators in the child
Behavioral indicators in the child

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Environmental factors:

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Hazardous conditions (broken windows, animal excrement on carpet, etc)
Health Risks (no running water, rodents and droppings)

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Psychosocial stressors impacting family:

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Financial problems & unemployment
Social problems
Social and emotional isolation (children not permitted to play outside)
Pregnancy
Special needs child
Parent with multiple roles (caring for children, aging parents, and working)
Substance Abuse

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Parental indicators

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Child’s basic needs are not being met
Harsh discipline – impulsive, lacks internal control
Rigid and harsh child rearing practices
Use of objects to discipline child
Misinterprets child’s normal developmental behavior (ie projects adult motive)
Indifference to the child
Depends on child to meet own emotional needs
Unrealistic expectations of the child
Substance abuse by parent/caregiver
Lack of social support (no outlet for tension/anger)
Frequent depression
History of abusive childhood

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Physical indicators in the child

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*Physical Abuse
Presence of unexplainable injuries (bruises, bruises in different stages of discoloration, facial injuries, burns, lacerations)
Frequent injuries due to child being described as “clumsy”
*Neglect
Dirty, offensive body odor
Malnutrition, poorly balanced diet – dry, flaking skin; pale or sallow complexion, bloated stomach
Failure to thrive
Unattended medical conditions
*Sexual Abuse
Painful urination, defecation
Genital swelling or discharge
Genital area bruising or tearing, including rectum
Complaint of lower abdominal pain
Sexually transmitted disease

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Behavioral indicators in the child
Physical Abuse

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Self-abusive behavior (bites self, bangs head, pinches self)
Destructive of toys and others property
Fearful or withdrawn behavior
Aggressive behavior
Flinches when someone reaches by child’s face
Out of control behavior

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Behavioral indicators in the child
Sexual Abuse

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Running away
Eating disorders
Aggressive behavior
Sexualized behavior
Substance abuse
Excessive sexual knowledge and awareness for child’s age
Excessive masturbation
Self-destructive behavior
Fearful/withdrawn behavior

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Behavioral indicators in the child Neglect

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Clingy or indiscriminate attachment
Depressed or passive

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Behavioral indicators in the child
Emotional Abuse

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Lacks self-esteem
Frequent negative comments pertaining to self
Poor peer relationships