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As a volunteer, you are not a Mandated Reporter, but you should be aware of types of abuse and how to talk with children you suspect they are being abused. If you suspect a child is being abused, report it to a staff member.
There are 4 types of abuse
neglect
Physical Neglect:
Emotional Neglect:
- Clothes are ill-fitting, filthy, or inappropriate for the weather.
- Is frequently unsupervised or left alone or allowed to play in unsafe situations/environments.
- Hygiene is consistently bad (unbathed, matted and unwashed hair, noticeable body odor).
- Malnourished (withheld food as punishment, may steal food).
Emotional Neglect:
- Permitting a child to use drugs or alcohol or engage in crime
- Exposing a child to extreme or frequent violence, especially domestic violence
- Medical Neglect: Untreated illnesses and physical injuries.
- Educational Neglect: Is frequently late or missing from school.
physical
Warning Signs of Physical Abuse in Children
Frequent injuries or unexplained burns, bruises, welts, or cuts.
Is always watchful and “on alert” as if waiting for something bad to happen.
Injuries appear to have a pattern such as marks from a hand, belt, cigarette, etc.
Shies away from touch, flinches at sudden movements, or seems afraid to go home.
Wears inappropriate clothing to cover up injuries, such as long-sleeved shirts on hot days.
sexual
Warning Signs of Sexual Abuse in Children
Trouble walking or sitting.
Displays knowledge or interest in sexual acts inappropriate to his or her age, or even seductive behavior.
Makes strong efforts to avoid a specific person, without an obvious reason.
Fear of certain places such as the bathroom.
Pregnancy or a sexually transmitted disease, especially under the age of 14.
Runs away from home.
emotional
Warning Signs of Emotional Abuse in Children
Excessively withdrawn, fearful, or anxious.
Shows extremes in behavior (extremely compliant or extremely demanding; extremely passive or extremely aggressive).
Frequent psychosomatic complaints (headaches, nausea, abdominal pains).
Lack of attachment to the parent or caregiver.
Acts either inappropriately adult-like (taking care of other children) or inappropriately infantile (rocking, thumb-sucking, throwing tantrums).
What is NOT Child Abuse?
Although it’s difficult to see children who are homeless, the fact that a child is homeless is not, in and of itself, a reason to report a child as being abused or neglected.
Injuries caused by two children fighting during a mutual altercation
An injury caused by reasonable and necessary force used by a peace officer acting within the course and scope of his or her employment
Reasonable and necessary force used by public school officials to quell a disturbance threatening physical injury to a person or damage to property
Not receiving medical treatment for religious reasons
What to do if you suspect a child is being abused?
If you SUSPECT a child is being abused, report this immediately to the site supervisor or a staff member at the site. The staff are mandated reporters and are required by law to report known or suspected child maltreatment.
Remember, you are only reporting your suspicions. Whether your suspicions are correct will be determined through the investigation. There is no penalty or harm if your suspicion turns out to be unfounded.
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