4-H Volunteer Training
Katie Wallace Dixon
State 4-H
4-H Volunteer Training
Child Abuse
Prevention & Detection
Definition of Child Abuse in South Carolina
• Child abuse occurs when the parent, guardian, or
other person responsible for the child's welfare:
• Inflicts or allows to be inflicted upon the child physical or
mental injury or engages in acts or omissions that
present a substantial risk of physical or mental injury to
the child, including injuries sustained as a result of
excessive corporal punishment
-Physical injury means death or permanent or
temporary disfigurement or impairment of any
bodily organ or function.
Possible Signs
Unexplained (or poorly explained) injuries. Bruises in the shape of objects, cigarette burns or bite
marks should raise particular concerns.
Changes in behavior (suddenly withdrawn, angry, aggressive, anxious or depressed)
Regressing to earlier behaviors (such as thumb-sucking, bed-wetting, fear of the dark or strangers)
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Fear of going home
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Change in appetite, or signs of a sudden eating disorder
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Risk taking behaviors
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Wary of adults
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Uncomfortable when other children cry, and generally controls own crying
Normal vs. Not Normal Injuries
Normal
Not Normal
Children who run and play
frequently fall, trip and run into
things. The areas children
frequently scrape or bruise
include:
• Knees
• Elbows
• Forehead
• Hands
• Chin
• Nose
70% of non accidental injuries
occur in these areas. The primary
areas for abuse include:
• Upper, middle and lower back
• Back of neck
• Buttocks
• Back of leg and knees
• Back of arms and hands (areas
that may be injured when the
child tries to defend her/himself)
Definition of Neglect in South Carolina
• Neglect
Citation: Ann. Code § 63-7-20
Child neglect occurs when the parent, guardian,
or other person responsible for the child's
welfare fails to supply the child with adequate
food, clothing, shelter, education as required by
law; supervision appropriate to the child's age
and development; or health care even though
financially able to do so or offered financial or
other reasonable means to do so and the failure
to do so has caused or presents a substantial
risk of causing physical or mental injury.
Possible Signs of Neglect
• Begs for or hoards food
• States frequent/continual absence of
parent or guardian
• Frequently dirty or not bathed
• Has unattended physical problems
• Shows extreme dependence or
detachment
• Frequently hungry or inappropriately
dressed
• Engages in delinquent behavior, such
as prostitution or stealing
Examples of Neglect
• Failure to provide adequate food, shelter, and clothing appropriate to the
climatic and environmental conditions
• Failure to provide, whether intentional or otherwise, supervision or a
reliable person(s) to provide child care
• Leaving a child alone for an excessive period of time (given the child's
age and cognitive abilities)
• The person responsible for the child's care displays erratic or impaired
behavior
• Recognizing the child's need but failing to provide the child with
emotional nurturance
Definition of Sexual Abuse in South Carolina
• Sexual Abuse/Exploitation
Citation: Ann. Code § 63-7-20
Child sexual abuse occurs when the parent,
guardian, or other person responsible for the child's
welfare commits or allows to be committed against
the child a sexual offense as defined by the laws of
this State or engages in acts or omissions that
present a substantial risk that a sexual offense as
defined in the laws of this State would be
committed against the child.
Video on Youth Service Organizations
The following video shows the importance of being
knowledgeable about child abuse while being part of
an organization such as 4-H.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv88X2LcnP0
Child Sexual Abuse: Facts you need to know!
• 1 in 3 girls are sexually abused before the age of 18.
• 1 in 5 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18.
• 30% of sexual abuse is never reported.
• Nearly 70% of all reported sexual assaults (including assaults on adults)
occur to children age 17 and under.
• 90% of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way.
• 38% of the sexual abusers of boys are female.
(Statistics found on LaurensKids.org)
Signs of Sexual Abuse
The following video shows the possible signs of
sexual abuse in children.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ykth8k2J8g#at=4
7
Possible Signs of Sexual Abuse
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Difficulty walking or sitting
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Demonstrates unusual sexual knowledge/behavior above developmental level
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Shows extreme compliance or defiance
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Sudden reluctance to change near others (for activities such as gym)
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Reported nightmares or bedwetting
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Sudden change in appetite
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Suddenly avoids a certain adult(s)
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Experiences pain when urinating
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Signs of eating disorders
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Exhibits promiscuity
Child Sexual Abuse: The Predator
Predators often target children
with obvious vulnerabilities:
• A child who feels
unloved/unpopular
• Has family problems
• Spends time alone and
unsupervised
• Lacks confidence and self esteem
• Is isolated from peers
Possible Signs of a Predator
• “Grooming” is where the abuser:
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Identifies and targets the victim
Gains trust and access
Plays a role in the child’s life
Isolates the child
Creates a secrecy around the
relationship
• Initiates sexual contact (starting with
arms around the shoulder, pat on the
knee, etc.)
• Controls the relationship
Possible Signs of a Predator
• Offers to play games, give rides, buy treats or gifts,
etc.
• Always offers a sympathetic ear (“Your parents and
friends don’t understand you? Well, I do.”)
• Tries to fill a void in the child’s life
• Is unusually protective of the child or severely limits
the child’s contact with other children
• Exhibits jealousy when youth would rather spend
time with others
Do’s and Don’ts of Responding
DO
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Immediately tell the child you believe
them.
Tell them they were right to tell you, and
were brave to do so.
Acknowledge that it is difficult talk about
this
Tell the child that they are not responsible
and did not deserve it
Ensure that the child feels safe following
disclosure
DON’T
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Panic or show that you are shocked.
REMAIN CALM!
Never give the impression that you might
blame the child. Don’t ask: “Why did you
let him?”, “what were you doing there
anyways?” or “why didn’t you tell me
before?”.
Don’t promise that you won’t tell anyone if
the child asks you to keep it a secret
Don’t ask intrusive questions. Listen but
don’t push for more answers.
Mandated Reporters in South Carolina
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Professionals Required to Report
Citation: Ann. Code § 63-7-310
The following professionals are required to report:
Physicians, nurses, dentists, optometrists, medical examiners, or coroners
Employees of county medical examiner's or coroner's offices
Any other medical, emergency medical services, mental health, or allied health professionals
Members of the clergy, including Christian Science practitioners or religious healers
School teachers, counselors, principals, assistant principals, or school attendance officers
Social or public assistance workers, substance abuse treatment staff, or child care worker in a
child care center or foster care facility
Foster parents
Police or law enforcement officers or juvenile justice workers
Undertakers, funeral home directors, or employees of a funeral home
Persons responsible for processing films or computer technicians
Judges
Volunteer non-attorney guardians ad litem serving on behalf of the South Carolina Guardian Ad
Litem Program or the Richland County CASA
How to Report
• If you have reason to believe a child
may be or has been abused or
neglected, contact local law
enforcement. If you do not have the
number for local law enforcement, call
911.
• After reporting to authorities, call PreCollegiate Programs Office at 864656-5535. The office will follow up as
necessary with appropriate agencies.
Failure to Report
Failure to Report
Ann. Code § 63-7-410
Any mandatory reporter or any person required to
perform any other function under the reporting laws,
who knowingly fails to do so, or a person who
threatens or attempts to intimidate a witness, is guilty
of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be
fined up to $500, be imprisoned for up to 6 months,
or both.
Lessons Learned from Penn State: The Importance of
Reporting to the Correct Source.
• March 1, 2002: Grad Assistant Mike McQueary witnesses Sandusky in
the showers with a young boy, raping him.
• March 2, 2002: McQueary goes to Paterno’s house and tells him that he
witnessed rape of a young boy. Paterno testified that McQueary was
“very upset.”
• March 3, 2002: Paterno then tells Athletic Director Tim Curley that
McQueary had seen Jerry Sandusky in the showers “fondling or doing
something of a sexual nature to a young boy.”
• They decided to take Sandusky’s locker room keys away, but never
contacted authorities.
• Curley testified during the trial that he had only been told
that Sandusky was "horsing around" with an underage boy.
• It went from “rape” to “horsing around.” If McQueary had gone
straight to police, this would have not happened when it was time to
testify.
Protecting Yourself
Staff should always abide by the following:
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Actively avoid being alone with a child.
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Always stay within view of other people.
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Never pat, brush against or touch a child anywhere near a private area.
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Never physically punish a child, even by ordering strenuous activity (such as
push-ups).
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Never allow a child in a private staff area, including personal vehicles.
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Never discuss romantic life with a child (yours or theirs).
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Report ANY suspicious, inappropriate or uncomfortable activity immediately.
References Used
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Laurenskids.org
Childwelfare.gov
Nationalchildrensalliance.org
Fcasv.org
Cnn.com/2012/01/29/justice/sandusky-witness-words
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