Child 440

Administrative Issues
Child Abuse Prevention and Reporting Plan

1) General definition of each of the five types of abuse, and warning signs for each type of abuse:
a. Physical abuse: a child is physically injured by other than accidental means.
burns, linear marks, bruises, lacerations, fractures.
b. Physical neglect: failure to provide a child with adequate food, shelter, clothing,
protection, supervision, and medical or dental care.
Warning signs: unsanitary conditions in the home or childcare site, inadequate heat or
there are potentially unsafe conditions, food is inadequate or not sufficiently nutritious,
the child lacks proper clothing for the weather or clothing is unclean, the child lacks
proper medical or dental care, a young child is lef at home or unsupervised for any
period of time.
c. Emotional abuse: excessive verbal assaults, continuous negative responses, and constant
family discord may add up to emotional abuse.
Warning signs: the child is withdrawn, depressed, or apathetic; the child “acts out” or is
ofen disruptive; the child is overly rigid, is afraid to misbehave, or fails to do what is
expected; the child shows signs of emotional disturbance, such as repetitive movements
or lack of verbal or physical communication with others.
d. Emotional deprivation: deprivation suffered by children when their parents fail to supply
normal experiences that help children to feel loved, wanted, and secure.
Warning signs: the child refuses to eat, or eats very little; the child is not able to do
things that would be expected of the age level; the child appears to have exaggerated
fears; the child is frequently aggressive or shows other antisocial behaviors; the child is
abnormally withdrawn or sad, or does not respond to others; the child constantly seeks
attention from any adult, even strangers, who come into the school.
e. Sexual abuse: any sexual activity between an adult and child.
Warning signs: the child has bruising or inflammation of the anus or the genitals; there is
a discharge or blood in the child’s underwear; the child has unusual interest and
awareness of sexual activities; the child is particularly seductive with adults, touching
their breast or genitals (Click, Karkos & Robertson, 2013, p. 387-390).
2) Statutory definition of child abuse and legally mandated reporter of child abuse in CA:
Definitions and Types of Child Abuse in California:
State law defines child abuse as (1) physical injury inflicted on a child by another person, (2)
sexual abuse, or (3) emotional abuse.
a. Sexual abuse is the victimization of a child by sexual activities, including molestation,
indecent exposure, fondling, rape, and incest.
b. Physical abuse is bodily injury inflicted by other than accidental means on a child,
including willful cruelty, unjustifiable punishment, or corporal punishment.
c. Emotional abuse is nonphysical mistreatment, resulting in disturbed behavior by the
child, such as severe withdrawal or hyperactivity. Emotional abuse includes willfully
causing any child to suffer, inflicting mental suffering, or endangering a child's emotional
well-being (Legislative Analyst's Office, n.d.).
 Legally mandated reporter of child abuse in CA:
a. All school/district employees, administrators, and athletic coaches.
b. All persons hired into positions included on the list of mandated reporters are required,
upon employment, to be provided with a statement, informing them that they are a
mandated reporter and their obligations to report suspected cases of abuse and neglect
pursuant to California Penal Code Section 11166.5.
3) Specific contexts in which abuse may be likely to occur and why
a. Abusers were abused as children themselves: It is an intergenerational lifestyle. Abusers
don't know how to discipline their children effectively because they never been taught
before.
b. Abusers are young—abuse is more frequent when the parents are under age 20. Their
brain still developing, and they don’t have enough resources for raising children.
c. Abusers are isolated from others, with few friends or nearby relatives. Parenting is
stressful; lack of emotional support can make it even worse.
d. Abusers are victims or perpetrators of spousal abuse. Abuse has negative effects no
matter for victims or perpetrators. It causes both physical and mental problems. The
healthy issue can cause abuse.
e. Abusers use drugs or are alcoholics. Drugs can make people lose self-control. When
parents cannot control themselves, they cannot treat their children in an appropriate
way (Click, Karkos & Robertson, 2013.).
4) Strategies our program will use with parents to help them deal with stress:
a. Educate parents about what to expect of children at different age levels.
b. Act as models to help parents find more effective ways of interacting with their children.
c. Provide an outlet for parents to express some of the frustrations of parenting.
d. Share with parents the joys of watching children grow and change ( Click, Karkos &
Robertson, 2013.).
5) Our school's child abuse prevention programs:
a. The school will provide child abuse and neglect training every year. Two realistic
abuse/neglect reporting scenarios (anonymous and non-anonymous reporting) will be
provided during the training.
b. When the teacher believes a child is being abused or maltreated, they will report to the
principal. The principal will help the teacher to identify if the child is being abused or not
by talking to the children and families. And both of the teacher and principal will
document the detail information of why they think it is child abuse.
c. If there is evidence showing the child is being abused, the teacher or the principal will
make the call to the California county emergency response child abuse reporting office
(Santa Clara County 408-683-0601).

References:

Click, P., Karkos, K. and Robertson, C. (n.d.). Administration of programs for young children. 9th ed.
pp.387-392.
Legislative Analyst's Office. (n.d.). Child Abuse and Neglect in California Part I. [online] Available at:
https://lao.ca.gov/1996/010596_child_abuse/cw11096a.html#A2 [Accessed 10 Mar. 2019].