FORGED BY FIRE
SHARON M. DRAPER
ANTICIPATION GUIDE
 Please respond to the following questions in complete
sentences.
 1. In your opinion, what constitutes child abuse? You may
make a list.
 2. What does DCFS stand for in Illinois? Even if you do not
know, what does this organization do? Explain in detail.
 3. If you knew that a family member was abusing and/or
neglecting his/her child, would you report him or her to
DCFS? Why or why not?
CONTINUED…
 4. If you or someone you knew was being abused at
home, who would you go to for help? Explain.
 5. Whose responsibility is it to report child abuse?
Explain. Is it possible to report abuse anonymously?
 6. Imagine that your little sister or brother is being
abused at home. Now, what would you do?
Child Abuse?
 Please explain why the following scenarios ARE or ARE
NOT examples of child abuse.
 #1: If you don’t sit your stinkin’, useless butt back down
in that shopping cart, I swear I’ll bust your greasy face
in!” she screamed at the three-year-old in front of her.
 CHILD ABUSE? WHY OR WHY NOT?
CHILD ABUSE?
 #2: The five-year-old crossed the desolate street alone.
His angry mother met him on the other side of the street
and spanked him.
 CHILD ABUSE OR NOT? EXPLAIN
 #3: The three year old girl was playing with her father’s
lighter. To teach her “not to play with fire” the father
held her hand over the flame for a few seconds. It left a
burn mark. CHILD ABUSE OR NOT? EXPLAIN
CHILD ABUSE?
 #4: The three year old boy had an accident in his pants.
In order to teach him not to do that, the mother made
him sit in the accident all day. CHILD ABUSE OR
NOT? EXPLAIN
 #5: The mother left her 3 year old home alone for over
three hours while she ran some errands. CHILD ABUSE
OR NOT? EXPLAIN
TRUE OR FALSE?
 Please copy the following statements. Then, mark a T for
true if you think the statement is true or F for false if you
think the statement is false.
 Please write WHY it is either true or false on the next line
below the statement.
TRUE OR FALSE?
 1. Children who are abused will abuse their own children.
 2. Neglecting a child (leaving them alone) is child abuse.
 3. DCFS always does what is best for the child.
 4. I would trust a teacher if I needed to report abuse.
 5. Not all abuse should be reported.
SHORT RESPONSE
 Please respond in complete sentences.
 1. What are physical signs that a child may be suffering from
abuse? Name at least 4
 2. What are behaviors that a child may demonstrate that
indicate physical abuse at home? Name at least 3
 3. What are physical or behavioral signs that a child may be
being sexually abused at home? Name at least 3
 4. What are 3 reasons why abused children do NOT report
abuse?