First Few Days Back at School Can Reveal Signs if a Child Has Been Abused Over the Summer

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In the hustle and bustle of starting school again, it may be easy for teachers and other school employees to overlook even the most obvious signs of child abuse. However, it is the first few days back at school that might be the most revealing when it comes to recognizing potential signs of abuse for a child who has spent the past few months in an abusive or neglectful home.

"For employees in school settings, returning to school involves responsibilities beyond getting the classroom and school ready for the children—including being a 'mandated reporter' of suspected child abuse," says Jeanne M. Groeneveld, director of training for the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (PFSA).

Mandated reporters are individuals who come into contact with children through their occupation, the course of their employment, or the practice of their profession. In school settings, that includes anyone working as an employee or subcontractor, both when children are present on school grounds or participating in school activities off-site.

Groeneveld said statistics show that the vast majority of child abuse happens at the hands of parents and other family members and that teachers and other school personnel are in a unique position to observe both obvious and more subtle signs of child abuse. "Despite this situation," she adds, "many professionals are ill-prepared to fulfill their obligations as mandated reporters properly due to a lack of training."

Proper training and instruction on the role and responsibilities of being a mandated reporter is essential to understanding how to recognize possible abuse and neglect as well how to handle the situation so that the report is made properly and without causing further trauma to the child.

"First," Groeneveld said, "it is essential that mandated reporters understand that it is not necessary to have proof of abuse or to be absolutely sure. It's only necessary to have a reasonable suspicion that abuse has occurred."

She said one of the most frequent mistakes professionals make in their search to "be sure" about their suspicions is to over-interview or improperly question the child. A common error is having the child talk to several people and asking the child to repeat his or her story over and over to different people.

She said both scenarios risk influencing the child's memories of the abuse and introducing taint. In a court of law, taint would render the child's testimony invalid. That testimony might be the difference making sure a child will be safe or not.

"When one mandated reporter suspects abuse that is enough to make a report," Groeneveld said. "The child should not be required to tell his or her story to more than one person. Not only does it risk the introduction of taint, but it is traumatic to the child and may send the message that no one believes him or her. This is one of the reasons administrators must permit children and youth agency staff to interview a child alone. Even the presence of another individual can be introduced as undue influence of the child."

Coming to the conclusion that a child has been abused is often not an easy one. Although indicators of potential abuse and neglect can also be caused by other factors, there are some signs and symptoms common to children who are abused. Child abuse can include serious physical injury, serious mental injury, serious physical neglect, and sexual abuse as well as imminent risk of serious physical injury or sexual abuse.

Among the signs in a child:

• Difficulties in learning or concentrating not attributable to specific physical or psychological causes.
• Mentioning a lack of adult supervision at home and/or drug and alcohol use by parents, displaying fear of parents.
• Showing up at school and other activities early, staying late, not wanting to go home.
• Behavior that's overly compliant, withdrawn, or passive.
• Unexplained bruises, burns, broken bones, or other injuries.
• Poor hygiene, clothing that's dirty or fits poorly.
• Unaddressed medical or dental needs.
• Sexual knowledge or behavior not typical for the student's age.

"It may be just one sign that causes suspicion or it may be a combination of signs that does so," Groeneveld said. "Either way, once reasonable suspicion has been reached, it is the legal mandate in Pennsylvania to call ChildLine at (800) 932-0313 to report your suspicions. And, remember, it's not necessary to be positive abuse has occurred or to gather evidence. All you need is reasonable cause to suspect."

PFSA works through schools, early childhood education centers, religious institutions, and social service agencies to teach mandated reporters to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect and how to appropriately report such cases.

PFSA presented nearly 300 training sessions on reporting child abuse and neglect throughout Pennsylvania during the past year. These sessions provided face-to-face training for more than 7,500 mandated reporters.

PFSA also works with affiliated member agencies across Pennsylvania to provide information, educational materials, and programs that teach and support good parenting practices.

For more information, visit the PFSA Web site at www.pa-fsa.org. To report suspected child abuse or neglect call ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance