Child Abuse Recognition and
Response
Community Services Board
Molly M. Clemmitt, LCSW
Department of Human Services
Arlington County
Overview
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Scope of Abuse
Mandated Reporting
Liability
Types of Abuse
Physical Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Neglect
Sexual Abuse
Making a Report
Working with Child Protective Services
Scope of Child Abuse in US*
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60,000 reports processed weekly
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3.5 million children received a Child
Protective Services (CPS) investigation.
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877,000 children were found to be
either abused or neglected
* US Department of Health and Human Services 2004 Statistics
Perpetrators
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84 % Parents
– 39% by mothers acting alone
– 18% by fathers acting alone
– 18% abused by both
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10% Other caregivers
– Unmarried partners, guardians, other
caretakers, etc.
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10% Other
Scope of Child Abuse in
Virginia*
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31, 000 reports made
– 45, 000 children were reported
– 39,000 caretakers were reported
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4,200 founded cases
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31 children died as a result of abuse
* VA Department of Social Services 2005 Statistics
Victims
52% Girls
 48% Boys
 The younger the child, the greater
likelihood of abuse/neglect
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Victims—Children with
Disabilities
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Disabled children are at higher risk for
abuse/neglect (~ 7.5% of all cases reported)
WHY
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Caregiver lack of knowledge/resources
Caregiver frustration
Child’s lack of communication or ability to defend
Child may be unknowing/willing to trust regardless
Society’s devaluation of disabled children
Mandated Reporters
“The following persons who, in their
professional or official capacity, have
reason to suspect that a child (under
age 18) is an abused or neglected child,
shall report the matter immediately
(within 72 hours)…”
Who are Mandated
Reporters?
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Teachers or others
employed by
schools
Physicians, nurses,
hospital residents or
interns
Christian Science
Practitioners
Mental Health
Professionals
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Social Workers
Probation Officers
Law-enforcement
Officers
Any person
associated with or
employed by any
private organization
responsible for the
care, custody or
control of children
Liability
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Our duty is only to report our suspicions, not
determine abuse
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There is no risk of liability if made in good faith-The reporter is immune from civil and/or criminal
liability in these cases
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Failure to report within the 72 hour time-frame is
punishable by fine
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Anonymity
Validation Criteria
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Child under 18 years old
Suspected abuse and neglect
Abuser is a caretaker
Jurisdiction
Types of Child Abuse
 Physical
Abuse
 Emotional Abuse
 Neglect
 Sexual Abuse
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse occurs when a
caregiver responsible for a child’s care
creates or inflicts, threatens to create
or inflict, or allows to be created or
inflicted upon such child a physical
injury by other than accidental means,
or creates a substantial risk of death,
disfigurement,or impairment of bodily
functions.
Types of Physical Abuse
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Hitting, Punching
or Slapping
Pinching
Beating
Asphyxiation/
Smothering
Poisoning
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Bizarre Discipline
Burning or
Scalding
Shaken Baby
Syndrome
Munchausen
Syndrome by
Proxy
Indicators of Physical Abuse
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Unexplained
bruises/welts
(pattern bruises)
Unexplained
burns/scalds
(pattern burns)
Unexplained
fracture/laceration
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Injuries inconsistent
with an explanation
Complaint of
abdominal pain or
soreness
Injuries in various
stages of healing
Disclosure
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse occurs when a
caretaker creates or inflicts, threatens
to create or inflict, or allows to be
created or inflicted upon such a child a
mental injury by other than accidental
means,or creates a substantial risk of
death, disfigurement,or impairment of
mental functions.
Types of Emotional Abuse
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Consistent failure to
provide a child with
support, attention
and affection
Chronic pattern of
negative behaviors
such as belittling,
humiliation, ridicule
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Exposure of a child
to domestic violence
Bizarre Discipline
Threatened or
actual acts of
violence against the
family pet or other
animals
Indicators of Emotional
Abuse
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Habit Disorders
(biting, head
banging, or
thumbsucking by an
older child)
Conduct Disorders
Sleep Disorders
Behavior extremes
Self Destructive or
Suicidal
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Parentified or
inappropriately
infantile
Cruelty (animals)
Substance abuse
Non-organic failure to
thrive
Developmental lags
Disclosure
Neglect
Neglect occurs when a caregiver
neglects or refuses to provide care
necessary for the child’s health,
abandons such a child, or when a child
is without parental care or guardianship
caused by the unreasonable absence
or the mental or physical incapacity of
the child’s parent, guardian…
Types of Neglect
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Inadequate:
– Shelter
– Supervision
– Clothing
– Personal hygiene
– Food
Medical Neglect
Indicators of Neglect
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Infant non-organic
failure to thrive
Malnutrition, hunger,
poor hygiene,
inappropriate dress
Lack of Supervision
Unattended
physical/medical/
mental health needs
Abandonment
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Distended
stomach/emaciated
Untreated
lice/ringworm
Constant fatigue or
listlessness
Uninvolved or
unavailable
caretaker
Disclosure
Sexual Abuse
“Sexual abuse occurs when caregivers
commits or allows to be committed
any act of sexual exploitation or any
sexual act upon the child in violation of
the law.” Sexual abuse happens when a
person in a position of power or
authority takes advantage of a child for
their own sexual gratification.”
Types of Sexual Abuse
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Sexual
Exploitation/prostitution
Forcing a child to watch
sexual conduct
Exposure
Indecent solicitation
Sexual abuse via the
internet
Child Pornography
Sexual Harassment
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Intercourse and sodomy
Sexual molestation
Incest
Indicators of Sexual Abuse
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Difficulty
walking/sitting
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Torn, stained or
bloody underclothes 
Pain in genital area
or when urinating 
Frequent urinary
infection
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Bed wetting
Encopresis or
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Enuresis
Sexually acting out
Excessive
masturbation
Hyperactivity or
Hypervigilance
Possession of
unexplained money
or gifts
Fire starting/Cruelty
to animals
Child reports abuse
Indicators of Sexual Abuse
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Child has role of
adult
Alcohol or drug
abuse
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Other criminal or
delinquent
behaviors
Regressive
behaviors
What If You Suspect
Abuse?
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Virginia Law requires that Mandated
Reporters make their report immediately
upon obtaining information that triggers
suspicion that child abuse has occurred,
and in no case later than 72 hours.
Who to Call?
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Child Protective Services (CPS):
Arlington: (703) 228-1500
Virginia Hotline: 800-552-7096
Police: 911
If child is in imminent danger.
What to Report?
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Names (siblings)
Parents/Guardians/
Child Care
Child Care
Arrangements
Ages
School Info (Grade,
Schedule, etc.)
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Emergency Contact
Numbers
Address and Phone
Numbers
Anything else you
know
How To Respond
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Listen carefully and use the child’s own
vocabulary
Do Not Investigate--Do Not Ask Leading
Questions
Do not notify the parents if a report is made
Be supportive
Your support is crucial for the child’s resilience
Working with CPS
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Once a report is made, CPS Intake can
only tell you whether or not a case
meets criteria and will be investigated.
If you have a release from your client,
then you and the CPS worker may
exchange additional information during
a CPS investigation/assessment.
Conclusion
You may be the one person in this child’s
life who makes a difference
703-228-1500