Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse

Presented by the Children and Family Violence Committee

of the Domestic Violence Council

Welcome!

Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse

Introductions

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Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse

Agenda•Legal Obligations

•Recognizing abuse and neglect

•Responding to child abuse disclosures

•Acting on suspected child abuse (reporting)

•Adult responsibilities in helping keep children safe

•Questions and Evaluation

Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse

The Law

•Mandatory Reporting (ORS 419B)

•Training Mandate (SB 379)

•Reporting of Staff (SB 380)

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Recognizing Child Abuse•Physical abuse

•Sexual abuse

•Neglect

•Witnessing domestic violence

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See handout:

“Recognizing Possible Abuse”

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Responding to Disclosures

See handout:

“What You Can Say, How You Can Help”

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Deciding Whether to Report• Does reasonable cause for suspicion of possible abuse or neglect exist? If yes, call!

•If in doubt, can I check with others? Yes, but only if they are immediately available.

•Can I wait until a more convenient time or until the next day? No, make the call without delay!

•Shouldn’t I be sure before calling? No, let the experts investigate.

•I called before and nothing happened. Why bother? This may be the call that triggers an intervention. Call.

• The law requires that you report without delay.

• YOU must be the one to report!• Inform your supervisor as soon as

possible when you report. Do not delay reporting.

• More than one person can report the same situation.

Responding to Child Abuse Who Reports?

• Emergencies - 911 • Police non-emergency - 682-5111, non-

business hours, suspicions of child crime or out-of-home abuse.

• DHS - 686-7555, 8-5 M-F, in-home abuse suspicions.

• You are only required to call one, but calling both may shorten response time.

Responding to Child Abuse Who to Call

Responding to Child Abuse

Reporting - What happens when you call?

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• Call 686-7555

• Press 1 to reach a screener like Sue.

• She’ll first ask for your name and phone number.

Responding to Child Abuse

Reporting - What happens when you call?

She’ll ask for some basic information about the child - name, address, phone number, parent/guardian name, etc. Having the child’s file is helpful.

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Responding to Child Abuse

Reporting - What happens when you call? What’s going on?

What is your relationship to the child?

Is there physical injury to the child? Please describe?

Other situations or concerns about the child?

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Responding to Child Abuse

Reporting - What happens when you call?

Who reported it to you?

Have you talked to the child? To the parent(s)?

Are different accounts consistent?

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Responding to Child Abuse

Reporting - What happens when you call?

You may be told there are not sufficient grounds for an investigation or you or a history check before deciding.

In any case, you were right to call.

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• We are reporters 24/7/365.• If you have questions, consultation with the

DHS trainer at 686-7555 x5349 may be available. However, if not, report now.

• Cooperate with investigators.• Do not inform parents of the report. This

contact MUST be made by Child Welfare or law enforcement personnel.

• Document your report. Keep documentation.

Responding to Child Abuse Reporting - Requirements

• Failure to report may result in loss of certification and a $1000 fine.

• Those who report in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability for making the report. ORS 419B.025.

• Turning it over to the pros is the right thing to do!

• Really hard but really right!

Responding to Child Abuse Reporting

Penalties and Protections

• Those reports investigated will be categorized as either “immediate response” or “within 5 day response”.

• The investigation will find if the abuse report is founded, unfounded or unable to determine. Founded reports result in a safety plan. (Fewer than 12% result in out-of-home placement.)

• The reporter’s confidentiality is respected.

Responding to Child Abuse DHS Investigations

Responding to Child Abuse Ongoing Support

• Check in with the child (see “What You Can Say, How You Can Help” handout)

• Safety plan with the child• Follow up with DHS • Report any new incidents or additional

information• Use community resources• Take care of yourself

• School safety is a priority• Adults know how to recognize and

respond to abuse disclosures and suspicions

• Teach age-appropriate curriculum in personal health and safety - including individual safety planning

Adult Responsibilities In Helping Keep Children Safe

•Follow law and policy.•Assure that school is a safe place for children; a place where they know the adults are on their side. Children should be confident that the adults in the school will act in their behalf if they disclose abuse or neglect. •Adopt policies that minimize abuse opportunities.

Adult Responsibilities In Helping Keep Children Safe

Keeping School Safe

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• District adopted comprehensive health education program

• Lessons at each grade level on child abuse prevention

• Each lesson is video based

Helping Keep Children Safe Classroom Materials - K-12 in 4J

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Supplementary Second Step Card/Lesson

Adult Responsibilities Supplementary Classroom

Materials

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Supplementary Safety Planning Lessons

Adult Responsibilities Supplementary Classroom

Materials

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Responder Support Community Resources You Can

Contact

• Parent Help Line - 485-5211

• Womenspace - 485-6513

• Child Advocacy Center - 682-3938

• DHS - 686-7555

• www.211lane.org

• www.4j.lane.edu/instruction/gp/prevention/

childabuseprevent

Responder ResourceResource Packet available soon online has added information

Responding to Child Abuse Questions and Evaluation

• Questions?• Please fill out an evaluation to

help us improve our presentation• Thank You!

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