Office of Human Resources
and
College of Social Work
Understanding Your Role
Protecting Minors at Ohio State
Every Child Deserves a Safe Childhood
Children have the right to:
• Safety
• Protection from abuse, neglect, exploitation
and discrimination
• Safe, healthy home with adequate food and
clothing
• An environment where they can grow and reach
their potential
• Respect
Why Are We Here?
• To become aware of the frequency of child abuse
• To understand the types of abuse and common
indicators
• To understand your duty to report whether they
observe the incident directly or it is reported to them
by someone else or they have reasonable cause to
believe that abuse has occurred or may occur
• To know how to report suspected child abuse
• To become aware of Standards of Behavior
• To understand our accountability
Living With Child Abuse
The reality of child abuse
Franklin County Children Services
Services include:
•Addressing more than 13,000 reports of child
abuse each year
•Investigating 7,857 reports of abuse in 2011
•Investigating 4,284 reports of neglect in 2011
•Provides services to more than 28,000
children annually
Understanding child abuse
WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE?
What is Child Abuse?
Any action that results in harm, potential for
harm, or threat of harm to a child
Four main forms:
• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Neglect
The signs: Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is defined as any physical injury or death
inflicted other than by accidental means
• Unexplained burns
• Unexplained bruises on the face, lips, mouth, back, buttocks,
and thighs
• Human bites
• Multiple hospital visits
• Seems frightened of parents and does not want to go home
WHAT TO LOOK FOR AT CAMP:
• Unexplained bruises or burns
• Fear of going home
• Fear of going with a particular staff member
• Physical force used by parents
The signs: Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse occurs when a person uses power over a child, and
directly involves the child in any sexual act, involves the child in
pornography, or forces the child to witness sexual acts
• Suddenly refuses to participate in physical activities
• Exhibits unusual sexual knowledge or behavior
• Frequent and unexplained sore throats
• Yeast or urinary infections
• Torn or bloody underclothes
• Aggressively initiates sexual contact with another child
WHAT TO LOOK FOR:
• Unusual sexual knowledge or behavior
• Child-to-child sexual contact
• Bruises on inner thighs or other “no touch” areas
• Fear of being alone with a particular camper or staff member
The Signs: Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is a pattern of harmful interactions between the
parent and child such as criticizing, belittling, rejecting, or
withholding love resulting in impaired psychological growth and
development
• Eating issues (anorexia, bulimia, etc.)
• Nervous habits (tics, washing hands, biting nails, extreme
anxiety, etc.)
• Cruel behavior – using physical force or words to hurt another
camper, staff member or animal.
• Lack of emotional attachment to parent
WHAT TO LOOK FOR AT CAMP:
• Not eating or overeating at camp meals
• Extreme nervous habits – nail biting, tics, washing hands, etc.
Parent/child interactions using inappropriate language or name
calling
The signs: Neglect
Neglect is the failure of a parent or guardian to provide for a child’s basic
(i.e., food, shelter, supervision, and clothing), educational or medical needs.
Neglect may exist because of the refusal to provide or because the family
does not have the financial means to provide for their child
• Begs or steals food or money
• Poor hygiene
• Unsuitable clothing
• Low height and weight average
• Excessive absences
• Chronic hunger
• Assuming adult responsibilities (caring for younger siblings, cooking all
meals, etc.)
WHAT TO LOOK FOR AT CAMP:
• Stealing food from the lunch hall
• Poor shower habits/poor hygiene
• Dirty clothes or clothes with numerous stains and/or tears
How can you help prevent child abuse at camps?
• In working with children, under appropriate conditions,
the following may be permissible forms of non-verbal
communication: hand to shoulder contact, side by side
hugs, rustling of hair, pats on the head, “high fives,”
handshakes, eye contact and smiles
• Staff may not touch children on areas of their bodies
that would be covered by a swimsuit
• Physical restraint (staff confining a child by holding the
child appropriately) is only to be used in situations
where a child puts himself/herself or others in danger
and must be documented in writing
What does it mean to “suspect” child abuse?
Avoid one adult/one child interactions
Preventing Child Abuse in High Opportunity Areas:
• Dorm rooms/sleeping facility
– Complete regular room checks
– Do not allow camp staff to be alone in a room with a
child (always take another adult or another camper)
• Restrooms and showers
– Do not allow camp staff to be alone in a restroom with
a child (always take another adult or another camper)
What does it mean to “suspect” child abuse?
• A camp staff member may
suspect child abuse if the child:
demonstrates the signs
• A child confides abuse to the
worker
• Or the worker witnesses an
incident of abuse and/or
neglect
What if a child confides in me?
• If a child begins to confide in you about suspected
abuse, be sure to follow these steps: Listen to the child
• Reassure the child
• Remain calm and collected
• Provide any immediate help you can offer the child to
ensure safety
• Do not promise the child you will not tell anyone; you
must report
• Do not share the information learned from the child
with the alleged perpetrator
• Follow the steps outlined in this presentation
Who should report child abuse?
• The reality is that EVERYONE CAN AND
SHOULD report suspected child abuse and/or
neglect
• As a camp staff member, you MUST report
suspected child abuse and/or neglect
• You have a duty to report
Who is responsible for reporting child abuse?
•
The Ohio Revised Code established reporting responsibilities to a specific group of
individuals:
– Animal control officers/agents, attorneys, audiologists, child care workers,
children services personnel, coroners, day care personnel, dentists, nurses,
physicians including hospital interns and residents, podiatrists, psychiatrists,
school authorities, employees and teachers, social workers, speech
pathologists and other professions identified by Ohio Revised Code Section
2151.421(A)(1)(b)
•
The report MUST be made to the county Children Services Agency or a municipal
or a county peace officer in the county in which the child resides or in which the
abuse is occurring or has occurred
•
Ohio State Policy REQUIRES that ALL camp staff report suspected child abuse
How do you meet your Duty to Act responsibilities?
If you witness or you reasonably believe that there is a substantial threat, you
must:
• Immediately report the child abuse, child neglect, child sexual abuse to the
appropriate office/individual as described on the next slide.
• Complete the Child Abuse, Sex Abuse, or Neglect Incident Report Form as
thoroughly as possible.
• Submit the Child Abuse, Sex Abuse, or Neglect Incident Report Form to the
Office of Human Resources and keep a copy for your records.
• Cooperate fully and promptly with any requests for information.
• Use the Anonymous Reporting Line. Be aware that you will need to disclose
your identity when filing the report through this line.
• Exercise sound judgment when discussing any reports with third parties.
What are your reporting duties (requirements) ?
• If you witness child abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect OR you
believe there is a substantial threat of child abuse, sexual
abuse, or neglect, you must:
– Contact Children Services Agency – 24 hour Child Abuse
Hotline at 614-229-7000 (Franklin County only)
OR
– Contact a municipal or county peace officer (Local law
enforcement authority – 911)
AND
– Contact University Police at 911
What additional reporting options do you have?
• You may also use the Ohio State Anonymous Reporting Line,
available on the Ohio State website (must disclose identity
when filing the report)
https://secure.ethicspoint.com/domain/media/en/gui/7689/index.html
• Complete a Whistleblower Report, available on the Ohio State
Office of Human Resources website
http://hr.osu.edu/forms/whistleblower.pdf
What are the background checks requirements?
• All employees and volunteers working with minors in
overnight camps must have a BCI background check at
the time of hire.
• After hire, a BCI check is required every four years.
• FBI check required only if the employee/volunteer has
not lived in Ohio for five consecutive years.
• All employees/volunteers who have a break in service
for any period of time must have a new BCI
background check.
• LexisNexis background check alone is insufficient to
meet the above requirements.
• Background checks from other organizations cannot be
accepted as replacements for our own background
checks.
What is the Statement of Nonconviction requirement?
• The Ohio Department of Job and Family
Services (ODJFS), “Statement of
Nonconviction” must be completed every
year.
Responsibilities for Self-Disclosure
• Once employed, employees/volunteers must
self-disclose any felony or misdemeanor
convictions within three days of pleading
guilty or being convicted.
• Employees/volunteers that fail to disclose
criminal convictions and/or misdemeanors
and/or fail to cooperate in the background
check process may not be hired or will be
subject to corrective action up to and
including termination.
What are Standards of Behavior?
• The “Standards of Behavior” is an agreement that
employees and volunteers are required to sign and abide
by while at Ohio State (optional for minor participants).
• These “standards” are a guide for employee, volunteer and
minor participant behavior.
• University departments are required to:
– Issue Standards of Behavior to all employees and volunteers
working with minors.
– Inform and train employees on the policy “Preventing and
Reporting Abuse in Programs with Minor Participants.”
– Promote consistent application of policies and procedures.
– Monitor behavior and address inappropriate behavior as
necessary.
What accountability mechanisms are available under the policy?
Individuals violating this policy will be held accountable for
their actions. Consequences are:
• Faculty – subject to University Rule 3335-5-04.
• Staff and student employees – subject to corrective
action up to and including termination.
• Students – subject to the Code of Student Conduct and
expectations of the Minor Program.
• Volunteers – subject to reprimand or loss of volunteer
status.
• Minor participants – may face disciplinary action up to
and including removal from the program.
What resources are available?
• Children’s Services Agency - 24 hour Child Abuse Hotline at 614-229-7000
(Franklin County only) (Contact other County Agencies as appropriate)
• Municipal or County Peace Officer (Local Law Enforcement Agency) - 911
• University Police - Columbus - 911; counties - contact local law
enforcement
• Office of Legal Affairs - 614-292-0166, Michael Layish, Missy Mayhan
• OHR/Employee and Labor Relations - 614 292-2800
• Unit HRP and/or supervisor
• Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse or Neglect Incident Report
• Anonymous Reporting Line https://secure.ethicspoint.com/domain/media/en/gui/7689/index.html
• Whistleblower Report - http://hr.osu.edu/forms/whistleblower.pdf
• Employee Assistance Program http://www.osuhealthplan.com/OhioStateEAP/
Training materials
• All training materials needed for the delivery
of this presentation can be found in the
Resources/Training Materials Section of
Preventing and Reporting Abuse in Programs
with Minor Participants, Policy 1.50
• Available on the Ohio State Office of Human
Resources Policy website:
http://hr.osu.edu/policy/policy150.pdf
Together we can prevent or eliminate abuse