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Social Work Presentation
Child Abuse /Neglect
BALTIMORE CITY
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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To provide all Baltimore City
Public School-based personnel
with the knowledge to recognize
and report the suspicion of child
abuse and/or neglect
Objectives
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 To inform all Baltimore City Public Schools employees
of the code of Maryland requirements for reporting
child abuse and/or neglect
 To inform all Baltimore City Public Schools employees
of the consequences for not reporting suspected child
abuse and/or neglect
 To increase awareness for the need to take steps to
protect children from maltreatment and assist their
families with treatment services
Need to Know
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 Definition of child abuse
 Those who are responsible for reporting child abuse
 Where and how does one report child abuse and
neglect
 What the timeframe is for reporting
 What happens after the report is made
 What the sanctions are for failing to report
 Available resources
Mandatory Reporters
THAT’S YOU!
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPORTING?
DEFINITIONS
TYPES OF ABUSE
WHAT IS CHILD MALTREATMENT?
The physical, sexual or mental injury of a child by any
parent or other person who has permanent or
temporary care or custody or responsibility for
supervision of a child or by any household or family
member under circumstances that indicate that the
child’s welfare is significantly harmed or at risk of
being significantly harmed; Or sexual abuse, whether
physical injuries are sustained or not
 (COMAR 07.02.07.02)
Types of Child Abuse
 Physical Abuse
 Sexual Abuse
 Neglect
 Mental Injury
Physical Abuse
HOW TO RECOGNIZE
PHYSICAL SIGNS of Physical Abuse
 Bruises or welts
 Burns
 Lacerations or abrasions
 Head injuries
 Skeletal injuries
 Internal injuries
BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS of Physical Abuse
 Uncomfortable with adults
 Fear of contact
 Withdrawn
 Arrives early for school or stays late
 Complains of soreness
 Wears inappropriate clothes to hide body
 Physical and verbally aggressive
 Excessive daydreaming
 Child does not look to parents for comfort
SEXUAL ABUSE
HOW TO RECOGNIZE
PHYSICAL SIGNS of sexual abuse
 Difficulty in walking or sitting
 Pain or itching in genital area
 Recurrent urinary tract infections
 Poor anal sphincter tone
 Sexually Transmitted Diseases
 Pregnancy
BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS of Sexual Abuse
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Sleep disorders
Poor peer relationships
Social isolation
Bizarre, sophisticated or unusual sexual knowledge or
behavior
Suicidal ideation
Promiscuity
Poor self-esteem
Sudden school difficulties
Threatened by physical contact
Hysteria
Unwillingness to change for gym
Child Sexual Abuse
An individual may notify the local department or the
appropriate law enforcement agency if he/she has reason
to believe that:
A parent, guardian, or caregiver of the child allows a child to
reside or regularly associate with a specified individual
other than the parent or guardian
AND
1. the person is on the registry as a child sex offender
AND
2. there is additional information suggesting substantial risk
of sexual abuse to the child
Neglect
HOW TO RECOGNIZE
What is Child Neglect?
Failure to give proper care and attention to a child by
the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian under
circumstances that indicate the child’s health or
welfare is at risk of significant harm
Types of Neglect
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Abandonment
Lack of supervision
Nutritional neglect
Medical and dental neglect
Educational neglect
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Inappropriate or insufficient clothing
Environmental neglect
Emotional neglect
Social neglect
Exploitation
PHYSICAL SIGNS of Neglect
 Poor hygiene
 Inappropriate clothing for the weather
 Fatigue
 Constant hunger
 Lack of supervision
 Significant weight loss
BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS of Neglect
 Stealing food
 Begging
 Assumes adult responsibility
 Constant fatigue
 delinquency
Mental Injury
HOW TO RECOGNIZE
Possible Behavioral Indicators of Mental Injury
 Pseudo-mature behavior
 Aggressive, domineering
 Sexually precocious
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behavior
Lying, cheating , and
stealing
Psychiatric symptoms
Tantrums
Bizarre behavior
Lacks self-esteem
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behavior
Controlling but lacks
self-control
Seeks love and
acceptance outside of
home
School learning problems
Lack of exploration and
curiosity
Assessing Mental Injury
2 assessments must be completed by any
of the following licensed professionals
 Licensed Physician
 Licensed Social Worker
 Licensed Psychologist
Reporting Abuse/Neglect
STEPS
What to do if child abuse/neglect disclosed to you
 Support child’s decision to disclose
information
 Make it clear child did the right thing
by disclosing
 Respect the child’s privacy
 Report
SUPPORT FOR REPORTING
 Contact your discipline supervisor
 Consult a colleague to discuss the
situation
Referral Process
(Suspected Child Abuse by Caretaker)
 Complete written report (Form 180)
 Provide oral report to intake worker at the
Department of Social Services
 Mail written report within 48 hours to DSS
 Mail a copy to your immediate supervisor
marked confidential to the Office of Related
Services-Social Work
 Maintain a copy of the written report in your
personal files
Content of Oral & Written Report
 Student identifying information
 Current location of the child
 Parent/guardian identifying information
 Nature and extent of the abuse and /or alleged
neglect
 Any information that will assist in substantiating the
abuse
Referral Process [Suspected Child Abuse by B C P S Personnel]
 Copy written report to
 Complete written referral
 Provide oral report to
intake worker at BCDSS
 Mail written report
within 48 hours to
BCDSS
alleged abuser’s direct
supervisor immediately
 Copy to your immediate
supervisor marked
confidential to the Office
of Related Services at 200
E. North Avenue
 Copy written report to
Office of Labor Relations
immediately at 410-3968885
Investigation Outcomes
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER REPORTING?
AFTER REPORTING
 Local school system shall permit local DSS or
police officer to question a student during a child
abuse investigation (COMAR 13A.08.01.13)
 School officials are not required to notify parents
or guardians
Talking with Parents
(If Parents Approach School Staff)
 Be supportive whenever possible
 Do not try to prove abuse or neglect by accusations
or demands
 Keep the focus upon the welfare of the child
 Take a non-judgmental stance when talking with
parent
 Explain to parent the legal responsibility to make a
referral to the appropriate agency
Three Outcomes
 Indicated
 Unsubstantiated
 Ruled Out
 Findings indicate the
abuse occurred
 The abuse may have
happened, but at the
current time there is not
enough information to be
certain
 There is no indication
that the alleged abuse
happened
Resources
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR FOR REPORTERS
To Whom Must You Report
Baltimore City Department of Social Services
Child Protective Services Unit
1900 North Howard Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21218
410-361-2235
REPORTER RIGHTS
Section 5-708 provides immunity from civil liability or
criminal penalty to anyone who in good faith makes
a report of suspected child abuse and/or neglect or
participates in an investigation, or in any judicial
proceeding resulting from the report
Confidentiality
 The name of the mandated reporter can only be
revealed by court order
 Disclosure of the identity of any person whose life or
safety is likely to be endangered related to allegation
cannot be revealed
 Disclose only information relevant to the best
interest of the child
 Use professional discretion in revealing information
for treatment purposes
Failure to Report
Consequences for Failure to report
Sanctions
 An employee of the local educational authority who
knowingly fails to report suspected child abuse will face
progressive disciplinary action ranging from written
reprimand to suspension to termination from the local
educational authority
 Additionally, certificated and licensed professionals may
have their certificate or license suspended or revoked in 2
circumstances:
Termination from the LEA for knowingly failing to
report suspected child abuse/neglect
Conviction of crime involving child abuse, contributing
to the delinquency of a minor; and moral turpitude
(COMAR 6-202[Educators]; COMAR 19-311 [Social Work
and other Mental Health Providers])
REMINDER:
Baltimore City Department of Social Services
Child Protective Services Unit
1900 North Howard Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21218
410-361-2235
REVIEW
 Definition of child abuse?
 Who is responsible for reporting child abuse?
 Where and how does one report child abuse and neglect?
 What the timeframe is for reporting?
 What happens after the report is made?
 What the sanctions are for failing to report?
 What are the available resources?
QUESTIONS/CONCERNS?