Suspect physical abuse when you see two or more
of the following:
|
Physical Indicators:
-
Frequent injuries without
adequate explanations, such as
-
 Bruises
-
Cuts
-
Black
eyes
-
Burns
-
Frequent
complaints of pain without obvious injury
-
Burns
or bruises in unusual patterns that may indicate the use of an
instrument or human bite
-
Cigarette
burns on any part of the body
-
Lack
of reaction to pain
|
Behavioral Indicators:
-
Aggressive,
disruptive, and destructive behavior
-
Passive,
withdrawn, and emotionless behavior
-
Fear
of going home or seeing parents
-
Injuries
that appear after a child has not been seen for several days
-
Unreasonable
clothing that may hide injuries to arms or legs
|
Suspect sexual abuse when you see:
|
|
Physical Indicators:
-
Physical signs
of sexually-transmitted disease
-
Evidence of
injury to the genital area
-
Pregnancy in
young girl
-
Difficulty in
sitting and walking
|
Behavioral Indicators:
- Frequent expressions of sexual activity
between adult and child
- Extreme fear of being alone with adults of
a certain sex
- Sexually suggestive, inappropriate, or
promiscuous behavior
- Knowledge of sexual relations beyond what
is expected for a child's age
- Sexual victimization of other children
- Sudden change in behavior
- Fears and phobias, retreat to fantasy
- Disturbed sleeping patterns
- Changes in relationships to adults
(avoidance or clinging)
- Problems in school
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Running away
- Depression, low self-esteem, self-critical
- Appearance of retardation
- Child states an adult is bothering him or
her
- Verbalization of sexual assault
- Discomfort or extreme sensitivity to
physical contact
- Discomfort about undressing in front of
peers
- Having friends who are several years older
- Acquisition of unexplainable toys, money,
or clothes
- Regression to more childish behavior
- Delinquent acts
- Suicidal gestures or attempts
- Plays parental role
|
|
Suspect neglect when you see:
- Obvious malnourishment
- Lack of personal cleanliness
- Torn or dirty clothing
- Stealing or begging food
|
- Child unattended for long periods of time
- Need for glasses, dental care, or other
medical attention
- Frequent tardiness or absence from school
|
|
Check-up Questions: |
-
(Choose one) The Texas Family Code 261.101 requires all
district personnel to report suspected child abuse and/or neglect within
(2, 24, 48, no set amount of time) hours.
-
(Choose one) The need for glasses, dental care,
or other medical attention could indicate (physical abuse, sexual abuse,
neglect).
-
(Choose one) Aggressive, disruptive behavior
coupled with unexplained injuries could indicate (physical abuse, sexual
abuse, neglect).
-
(Choose one) Delinquent acts or sexually
suggestive, inappropriate, or promiscuous behavior could indicate
(physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect).
-
(True/False) To report suspected child abuse
and/or neglect, call the police immediately and press charges against the
parent or guardian.
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“I’m
concerned about a student I have in one of my classes. He refuses
to make eye contact with me and isolates himself from the other
students in the
class. He does not have many clothes and the clothes he does
wear are always dirty. He wears the same worn-out jean jacket each
day—even if it is hot outside—and refuses to take it off during
class. The PE coaches have told me he refuses to dress out for PE.
I know his family does not have much money, but I get the feeling
there’s more to the situation. Could he be suffering from child
abuse or neglect? Should I report it? Would I be making a mountain
out of a molehill? What should I do?”
