1	Child Abuse & Neglect Andrea Brown, Amanda Doctor, Holly Andrews, Mark Shroyer
2	What is child abuse? Legal Definition: Indiana Code 31– 34 – 1 states that child abuse is “…the child’s physical or mental health is seriously endangered due to injury by the act or omission of the child’s parent, guardian or custodian;” Non-Legal Definition: Child Abuse consists of any act or omission that endangers or impairs a child’s physical or emotional health and development. Child abuse includes any damage done to a child which cannot be reasonably explained and which is often represented by an injury or series of injuries appearing to be non-accidental in nature.
3	The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) is one of the key pieces of legislation that guides child protection. CAPTA, in its original inception, was signed into law in 1974. It was reauthorized in 1978, 1984, 1988, 1996, and with each reauthorization, amendments have been made to CAPTA that have expanded and refined the scope of the law. CAPTA was most recently reauthorized on June 25, 2003, by the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003. (National Clearing House on Child Abuse and Neglect)
4	Major Forms of Child Abuse
5	"Physical Abuse – Any non-accidental" Physical Abuse – Any non-accidental injury to a child. This includes hitting, kicking, slapping, shaking, burning, pinching, hair pulling, biting, chocking, throwing, shoving, whipping and paddling. (Child Help USA)
6	Sexual Abuse Statistics – 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 8 boys will be sexually abused before they are 18 years old. It is estimated that 7 1 % of sex offenders are under 35 and knew their victim at least casually. Girls are sexually abused three times more often than boys. (Prevent Child Abuse Indiana) Sexual Abuse – Any Sexual act between an adult and child. Child sexual abuse may include fondling a child's genitals, masturbation, oral-genital contact, digital penetration, and vaginal and anal intercourse. Child sexual abuse is not solely restricted to physical contact; such abuse could include non-contact abuse, such as exposure,voyeurism, and child pornography. (Child Help USA)
7	"Neglect – Failure to provide..." Neglect – Failure to provide for a child’s physical needs. This includes lack of supervision, inappropriate housing or shelter, inadequate provision of food, inappropriate clothing for season or weather, abandonment, denial of medical care, and inadequate hygiene. (Child Help USA)
8	"Emotional Abuse – Any attitude..." Emotional Abuse – Any attitude or behavior which interferes with a child’s mental health or social development. This includes yelling, screaming, shaming, name-calling and negative comparison to others. It also includes the failure to provide the affection and support necessary for the development of a child’s emotional, social, physical and intellectual well-being. This includes ignoring, lack of appropriate physical affection, not saying “I Love You”, lack of praise and positive reinforcement. (Child Help USA)
9	Who is Most Likely to be an Abuser? People who abuse children do not have good self esteem. They are people who take their anger out on children. Sometimes the people who abuse children were themselves abused when they were a child. Child Abusers come from every race, religion and socioeconomic status. Men and women are equally just as likely to be a perpetrator of child abuse. A mother will feel more responsible and guilty than the father for the failures of a child because she is likely the one rearing the children. (Prevent Child Abuse Indiana)
10	Signs and Symptoms of Child Abuse & Neglect
11	Physical Abuse Physical Indicators Unexplained bruises, welts, burns, lumps, bumps or fractures. Burns by cigarettes or immersion. Unexplained lacerations or abrasions. Dental or oral injuries. Behavioral Indicators Verbally reports abuse Eager to please Depression Low self esteem Role reversal Developmental Lags Appears frightened of caretaker School absenteeism Apprehensive children cry Exaggerated startle response
12	Sexual Abuse Physical Indicator Any Venereal disease Bruised genitals or rectum Pregnancy under age 16 Difficulty/pain in walking or sitting. Pelvic inflammatory disease Torn, stained or bloody underclothing Recurrent urinary tract infections Behavioral Indicators Aggressive, overt sexual behavior Drawing pictures of people with genitals or vagina Premature knowledge of sexual acts Cruelty to Animals Sleep Disorders Taking frequent baths Starting fires Self-inflicted injuries Expresses fear of a particular person or place Reports sexual abuse
13	Neglect Physical Indicators Flat, bald spots on infant’s head Dirty, smelly Torn, dirty or inappropriate clothing for the weather Developmental lags Underweight Behavioral Indicators Dull Listless Begging or stealing food Constant fatigue Alcohol or drug use Reports being left alone
14	Emotional Abuse Behavioral Indicators Low self-esteem Eating disorders Elimination Problems Speech disorders Inability to trust Sleep Problems Sadistic, Masochistic Difficulty forming positive relationships Apathetic Suicidal Withdrawal Anxiety, fear Developmental lag Reports emotional maltreatment
15	The Cost of Child Abuse & Neglect in the United States The direct costs of child abuse and neglect (hospitalization, cost to the welfare system, judicial proceedings, etc) total over $24,000,000,000. The total estimate of the annual cost of child abuse and neglect in the U.S. comes to $94,076,882,529.. (Prevent Child Abuse Indiana)
16	Scary Facts About Child Abuse & Neglect Nationally, 3,244,000 children were reported to Child Protective Services for child maltreatment in 1999. Nationally, 1,356 children died in 2000 due to child maltreatment, or almost four children each day. (Prevent Child Abuse Indiana)
17	Child Abuse & Neglect In Indiana In Indiana, more than 1/3 of all reports to Child Protective Services for child maltreatment were substantiated. Over the last five years, over one child per week has died due to child maltreatment in Indiana. In Indiana in 2003, 61,492 children were reported to Child Protective Services for child maltreatment. In Indiana, a total of 51 children died of abuse in 2003. (Prevent Child Abuse Indiana)
18	Allen County Statistics on Abuse (Prevent Child Abuse Indiana)
19	Long Term Consequences to Child Abuse Children who are abused or neglected suffer greater emotional damage than physical damage. A child may become depressed or suicidal at any time during or after the abuse. As the child gets older they may use drugs and/or alcohol heavily, try to run away or abuse others. As an adult a child may develop martial and sexual difficulties. (National Clearing House on Child Abuse and Neglect)
20	Simple Rules to Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect Never Discipline your child when your anger is out of control. Participate in your child’s activities and get to know your child’s friends. Never leave your child unattended, especially in the car. Teach your child the difference between “good touches” and “bad touches”. When your child tells you they don’t want to be with someone this may be a red flag. Listen to them. (Prevent Child Abuse America)
21	Simple Rules to Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect Teach your child what to do if you and your child become separated while away from home. Teach your child the correct names of their body parts. Be alert for talk that reveals premature sexual understanding. Pay attention when someone shows greater than normal interest in your child. Make certain your child’s school will release your child only to you or someone you designate. (Prevent Child Abuse America)
22	Can Children Recover From Abuse? Children's interpretation of the abuse, whether or not they disclose the experience, and how quickly they report it affects the recovery time of abuse. Children who are able to confide in a trusted adult and who are believed experience less trauma than children who do not disclose the abuse. Children who disclose the abuse soon after its occurrence may be less traumatized than those children who live with the secret for years. (American Psychological Assoc)
23	Services & Programs in Indiana
24	Emergency Contacts in Allen County, Indiana Emergency 9 1 1 Fort Wayne Police Department 260-427-1222 Allen County Sheriff Department 260-449-7661 Indiana State Police Department 260-432-8661 New Haven Police Department 260-493-1517
25	"1-800-CHILDREN (800-244-5373)" 1-800-CHILDREN (800-244-5373) This line provides individuals with current and accurate information regarding child abuse treatment and preventive services in Indiana by offering a centralized location for information about child abuse, neglect, parenting, prevention, and community services for all Hoosiers. More than 2,000 calls are received annually on this toll-free number.
26	"Allen County Child Protection Service..." Allen County Child Protection Service (CPS) Division of Family & Children 201 E. Rudisill Boulevard Fort Wayne, Indiana 46806 (260) 449-7138 CPS exists to keep children safe from further abuse or neglect and prevents or assists in solving problems that may result in abuse or neglect. There are 800 case managers statewide who investigate more than 60,000 calls a year.
27	"SCAN," SCAN, Inc. 500 W. Main St. Ft. Wayne, IN 46802 (260) 421-5002 SCAN (Stop Child Abuse and Neglect) is a not-for-profit organization whose sole mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect through direct service, education, coordination and advocacy.
28	Services & Programs in the United States
29	"Child Help USA" Child Help USA 15757 N. 78^th Street Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Phone# 1-480-922-8212 Child Help USA is dedicated to meeting the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs of abused and neglected children. It does this by focusing its efforts and resources on treatment, prevention and research.
30	"National Clearing House on Child..." National Clearing House on Child Abuse & Neglect 330 C Street, SW Washington, DC 20447 Phone# 1-800-394-3366 The National Clearing House on Child Abuse and Neglect was established by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974. The clearing house provides information products and technical assistance services to help professionals locate information related to child abuse and neglect.
31	"National Committee to Prevent Child..." National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse 332 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60604 Produces brochures and booklets about the prevention of child abuse, training and disciplining children, coping with feelings about a premature infant, self esteem, caring for children in positive ways, child care options, being home alone after school, the disabled child and being foster parents of abused children.