*NOTE: Virginia law requires that mandated reporters report all cases of suspected child abuse or neglect to child protective services regardless of the abuser/
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A Guide For Mandated Reporters In Recognizing And Reporting Child Abuse And Neglect Introduction 1Recognizing Child Abuse And Neglect .. 3What Are The Legal Definitions Of Child Abuse and Neglect? ..3What Are The Types And Indicators Of Child Abuse And Neglect? .3The Fine Line Between Abuse And Discipline .12Human Trafficking 13Questionable Child Abuse And Neglect Situations ..15Corporal Punishment ..15Distinguishing Abuse ..15Unsupervised Or fiLatchkeyfl Children 16Failure To Obtain Medical Care 17Some Reports Are Outside The Scope Of Child Abuse/Neglect In Virginia .19Educational Neglect 19Lack Of Immunizations And Preventative Health Care .19Failure To Use Seat Belt Restraints As Required By Law 19Non-Caretaker Sexual Abuse .19Abuse Did Not Occur In Virginia And The Abuser Does Not Live In Virginia 19Poverty ..19Reporting Child Abuse And Neglect 21Why Should I Report? 21Who Must Report? ..21When Should I Report? .22What Information Will I Be Asked To Provide? .22What If I Do Not Report? ..23What If I Am Not Sure? .23What If The Abuse Occurred In The Past? ..23Should I Tell The Parents I Made A Report? .23Table of Contents
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A Guide For Mandated Reporters In Recognizing And Reporting Child Abuse And Neglect Questions And Concerns About Reporting Suspected Child Abuse And Neglect 25The Belief That Nothing Will Be Done .25Confidentiality Issues .25Responding To The Child ..27How Should I Respond To A Child Who Reports Being Abused Or Neglected? 27Techniques For Interacting With An Abused/Neglected Child 27The Child Protective Services Response .29What Happens After I Make A Report? .29Family Assessment Response ..29Investigation Response .30CPS Authorities To Conduct Family Assessment Or Investigation ..33Release Of Records To Child Protective Services .33Interviewing Child Without Parental Consent And Outside The Presence Of The Parents .33Photographs And X-Rays .33CPS Services May Be Provided To The Family ..35What If The Child Must Be Removed From Home? .35Will I Receive Feedback From Child Protective Services? 36
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3A Guide For Mandated Reporters In Recognizing And Reporting Child Abuse And Neglect Recognizing Child Abuse And NeglectWhat Are The Legal Definitions Of Child Abuse And Neglect?Section 63.2-100 of the Code of Virginia defines an abused or neglected child as any child under 18 years of age whose parent or any person responsible for his or her care* (such as a child care provider, foster parent, or anyone responsible for the welfare of a child receiving residential care at an institution): Causes or threatens to cause a non- accidental physical or mental injury; Has a child present during the manufacture or attempted manufacture of a controlled substance or during the unlawful sale of such substance where such activity would constitute a felony violation; Neglects or refuses to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, emotional nurturing, or health care; Abandons the child; Neglects or refuses to provide adequate supervision in relation to a child™s age and level of development; Knowingly leaves a child alone in the same dwelling with a person, not related by blood or marriage, who has been convicted of an offense against a minor for which registration is required as a violent sexual offender; or Commits or allows to be committed any illegal sexual act upon a child, including incest, rape, indecent exposure, prostitution, or allows a child to be used in any sexually explicit visual material. An abused or neglected child is also a child who has been identified as a victim of sex trafficking.Additionally, the law requires health care providers to report newborns who are affected by substance abuse or experiencing withdrawal symptoms as a result of being exposed to drugs or alcohol during pregnancy.*NOTE: Virginia law requires that mandated reporters report all cases of suspected child abuse or neglect to child protective services regardless of the abuser/neglector™s relationship to the child. What Are The Types And Indicators Of Child Abuse And Neglect?Many people think that child abuse is limited to physical harm. In reality, child abuse includes: physical abuse; physical neglect; sexual abuse; and emotional/mental maltreatment.Physical injuries, severe neglect, and malnutrition are more readily detectable than the subtle, less visible injuries which result from emotional/mental maltreatment or sexual abuse. However, all types of abuse and neglect may endanger or impair a child™s physical or emotional health and development.Most child abuse and neglect is not a one time event, but more often occurs in a pattern over time. Many children are subject to more than one form of maltreatment.
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4Recognizing Child Abuse And NeglectPhysical Abuse Physical Indicators Ł On face, lips, mouth, torso, back, buttocks, thighs; Ł Injuries in various stages of healing; Ł Clustered injuries that form regular patterns, which reflect the shape of article (electric cord, belt buckle) used to inflict injury; Ł Injuries that seem to regularly appear after absence, weekend, or vacation; or Ł Human bite marks.Ł Cigarette burns, especially on soles, palms, back, or buttocks;Ł Immersion burns (sock-like, glove-like, doughnut shaped on buttocks or genitalia) patterned like electric burner, iron, etc.; or Ł Rope burns on arms, legs, neck, or torso. Ł To skull, nose, facial structure; Ł Fractures in various stages of healing; or Ł Multiple or spiral fractures.Ł To mouth, lips, gums, eyes; or Ł To external genitalia. Physical abuse is defined as any act which, regardless of intent, results in a non-accidental physical injury. Inflicted physical injury most often represents unreasonably severe corporal punishment. This may happen when the parent is frustrated or angry. Intentional, deliberate assaults, such as burning, biting, cutting, and the twisting of limbs, are also included in this category. The sale of drugs by a caretaker in the presence of a child can pose a threat to the child™s safety due to strangers in and out of the home and the possibility of firearms or other weapons bring present. Manufacturing drugs, especially in methamphetamine laboratories, can expose children to serious toxins. A combination or pattern of indicators should alert you to the possibility of physical abuse. Questionable Bruises And Welts: Questionable Burns:Questionable Fractures:Questionable Cuts, Scrapes, Scratches, Lacerations Or Abrasions:
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5Recognizing Child Abuse And NeglectChild Behavioral Indicators Ł Uncomfortable with physical contact; Ł Wary of adult contacts; Ł Apprehensive when other children cry;Ł Exhibits behavioral extremes;Ł Aggressiveness or withdrawal;Ł Frightened of parents; Ł Afraid to go home; Ł Reports being injured by parents or other caretaker; Ł Complains of soreness or moves uncomfortably;Ł Wears clothing inappropriate for the weather to cover injuries; Ł Reluctant to change clothes (attempts to hide injuries, bruises, etc.); orŁ May be a chronic runaway.Caretaker Characteristics Ł Has a history of being abused as a child;Ł Uses harsh discipline inappropriate to child™s age, the misbehavior, and the condition in which the misbehavior occurred;Ł Offers illogical, unconvincing, contradictory, or no explanation of child™s injury;Ł Significantly misperceives child (e.g. sees him as bad, stupid, different, etc.); Ł Has a serious mental health condition or exhibits a psychotic or psychopathic personality; Ł Fails to keep child™s medical appointments;Ł Misuses alcohol or other drugs; Ł Attempts to conceal child™s injury or to protect identity of person responsible; Ł Has unrealistic expectations of child that are beyond child™s age or ability; Ł Allows a child to be present during the manufacture or sale of controlled substances;Ł Demonstrates insufficient parenting skills;Ł Demonstrates poor coping skills; Ł Has anger management difficulties; or Ł Has a history of domestic violence, as victim or perpetrator.
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