Child abuse hurts us all : recognizing, reporting and preventing child abuse and neglect

64 Pages·2002·1.7 MB·English

by  Massachusetts. Department of Social Services. Office of Public Affairs

ARIES
Recognizing, Reporting and Prev
Massachusetts
Department of
Social Services

MASS
KFM2967.C5 C55 2002
Child abuse hurts us
all
DATE DUE
This item may be kept
DAYS
14
IT MAY BE RENEWED
ONLY ONCE
T\l>U of Cor*t«*\ts
1. Understanding the Problem of Child Abuse and Neglect 3
2. Definitions and Explanations ofTerms Associated with Child Abuse and Neglect 4
3. Warning Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect 7
4. Understanding the Link Between DomesticViolence and Child Abuse 10
5. TheWork of the Department of Social Services 13
6. HowYou Can Help Keep Children Safe . 16
7. Assistance for Parents and Caretakers 17
8. Massachusetts General Law, Protecting Children 18
9. Resources 26
10. DSS Statistics and Organizational Structure 28
11. Suggestions for Further Reading on theTopic of Child Maltreatment 30
This document is a publication of the
Massachusetts Department of Social Services
Office of Public Affairs
June 2002

Understanding the Problem of Child Abuse and Neglect
Introduction There is no simple cause forchild maltreatment.
Each case of child abuse or neglect should be
Child abuse and neglect present a collective examined and treated independently. Many abusers
concern to both adults and children. Children, the may not intend to hurt children. Often a lack of
most vulnerable segment of our population, are understanding of children's basic needs can lead to
those most directly affected by child abuse and frustration and anger, which, in turn, may lead to
neglect.This is troubling because children also abuse or neglect. A lack of parenting skills can also
represent our most valuable resource forthe future. contribute to child abuse or neglect.
As such, we must act to protect them from harm and
nurture theirdevelopment. Common reasons why children are abused
or neglected:
Although the direct results of child abuse and
neglect are often easily recognizable, the long-term • Substance abuse- The most frequently reported
consequences cannot always be immediately cause for the neglect and abuse of children is
measured.The emotional impact on victims and the substance abuse. Although parents or caretakers'
financial impact on society can ultimately become substance abuse does make it more difficult to
staggering.While it is impossible to measure the address family problems, it should not mitigate
amount of emotional pain and suffering children ourconcern forthe children involved.There is
experience as a result of child abuse or neglect, also a strong link between substance abuse,
Prevent Child Abuse America - a private child domestic violence.
welfare organization - estimates the nationwide
• Lack offamily support- Abusive parents and
financial costs to be $94 Billion a year.
caretakers may not have adequate support to
Child abuse and neglect are often referred to jointly help them raise their children. If domestic
as child maltreatment.This guidebook aims to help problems or life crises arise, it can be hard to
create a better understanding of the problem of deal with daily pressures.
child maltreatment.The contents include information,
• Repeating the cycle- Parents and caretakers
facts, terms and definitions on the subjects of
who hurt their children may have been denied
child abuse and neglect, aswell as the issues and
emotional support or may have been abused
concerns that surround child maltreatment.
when they were young. It may be more likely
Child abuse and neglect affect children of all ages, - thatthese individuals will abuse or neglect
and boys and girls in almost equal numbers. It is theirchildren.
important to understand that while child abuse is
• Extreme expectations - Some parents and
a high profile concern, and often cause for more
immediate worry, neglect is the more common form caretakers expect children to fulfill theirneeds
for love and acceptance, or may see children as
of child maltreatment.The majority of those responsi-
the answerto their personal problems. Children
ble for child abuse or neglect are parents; however,
cannot meet these needs. Children have more
any adult who is considered a caretakerof a child,
immediate and basic needs which must be met
orwho is entrusted with the responsibility for a
child's health orwelfare, may perpetrate child abuse by their parents and caretakers. If parents or
caretakers are unable to put their children's needs
or neglect.
before theirown, neglect and abuse can result.
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Definitions and Explanations ofTerms Associated with Child Abuse and Neglect
Child abuse can include physical, sexual or Shaken Baby Syndrome
emotional injury to a child. Child neglect is a broader
Infants, babies or small children who suffer injuries
term, and one that is often misunderstood.The
or death from severe shaking, jerking, pushing or
following are the most common definitions related
pulling may have been victims of Shaken Baby
to child maltreatment, as defined by Massachusetts
General Law (M.G.L.) and DSS Regulations (110 Syndrome.The act of shaking a baby is considered
physical abuse, as spinal, head and neck injuries
CMR), along with some basic explanations of
often result from violently shaking young children.
these terms.
It has been estimated that 50 percent of children
Abuse (defined by 110 CMR 2.00) who are victims of Shaken Baby Syndrome die from
their injuries.
The non-accidental commission of any act, by a
Sexual Abuse
caretaker, upon a child underage 18, which causes
orcreates a substantial risk of physical oremotional Sexual Abuse occurs when an adult caretaker has
injury, orconstitutes a sexual offense underthe any sexual contact with a child.This can happen
laws of the Commonwealth, orany sexual contact through intercourse, which is considered rape under
between a caretaker and a child underthe care of Massachusetts General Law. It includes any oral,
that individual.This definition is not dependent upon genital or anal penetration. Sexual exploitation and
location (i.e., abuse can occurwhile the child is in molestation are also considered abuse.These are
an out-of-home or in-home setting). defined as contact or interaction with a child, that
Abuse is any action thatcreates an injury or is used to satisfy an adult's sexual needs and
a substantial risk of injury to a child. Abuse can desires.This includes any verbally enticing language,
be physical, sexual or emotional. Physical abuse as well as fondling, masturbating or exposure of
sexual organs by the adult. Sex between adults
includes beating, shaking, kicking, burning or
other types of bodily harm that can result in and children is neverconsidered consensual.
bruises, fractured or broken bones, internal injuries
ordeath.
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