Students
Child Abuse, Neglect and
Exploitation Prevention
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Policy No. 3421P
Each school principal shall develop and implement an
instructional program that will teach students: A.
How to
recognize the factors that may cause people to abuse others; B.
How one
may protect oneself from incurring abuse; and C.
What
resources are available to assist an individual who does or may encounter an
abuse situation. To facilitate such a program, staff development
activities may include such topics as: ·
Child growth and development ·
Identification of child abuse and neglect ·
Effects of child abuse and neglect on child
growth and development ·
Personal safety as it relates to potential
child abuse and neglect ·
Parenting skills ·
Life situations/stressors which may lead to
child maltreatment ·
Substance abuse Reporting Responsibilities
Staff are expected to report
every instance of suspected child abuse or neglect. Since protection of
children is the paramount concern, staff should discuss any suspected
evidence with the principal or nurse regardless of whether the condition is
listed among the indicators of abuse or neglect. Staff are reminded of their
obligation as district employees to report suspected child abuse, and
professional staff are reminded of their legal obligation to make such
reports. Staff are also reminded of their immunity
from potential liability for doing so. The following procedures are to be
used in reporting instances of suspected child abuse: D.
When
there is reasonable cause to believe that a student has suffered abuse or
neglect, staff shall immediately contact the nearest office of the Child
Protective Services (CPS) of the Department Of Social And Health Services
(DSHS). If this agency cannot be reached, the report shall be submitted to
the police, sheriff, or prosecutor's office. Such contact must be made within
forty-eight (48) hours. Staff shall also advise the principal regarding
instances of suspected abuse or neglect and reports of suspected abuse that
have been made to state authorities or law enforcement. In his/her absence
the report shall be made to the nurse or counselor. A staff member may wish to discuss the circumstances with
an employee of CPS for assistance in determining if a report should be made.
The Child Protective Service has the responsibility of determining the fact
of child abuse or neglect. Any doubt about the child's condition shall be
resolved in favor of making the report. E.
A
written report shall be submitted promptly to the agency to which the phone
report was made. The report shall include: 1. The
name, address and age of the child; 2. The
name and address of the parent or person having custody of the child; 3. The
nature and extent of the suspected abuse or neglect; 4. Any
evidence of previous abuse or any other information that may relate to the
cause or extent of the abuse or neglect; and 5. The
identity, if known, of the person accused of inflicting the abuse. F.
The
district shall within forty-eight (48) hours of receiving a report alleging
sexual misconduct by a school employee notify the parents of a student
alleged to be the victim, target or recipient of the misconduct. Abuse Indicators
Physical abuse indicators: G.
Bilateral
bruises, extensive bruises, bruises of different ages, patterns of bruises
caused by a particular instrument (belt buckle, wire, straight edge, coat
hanger, etc.). H.
Burn
patterns consistent with forced immersion in a hot liquid (a distinct
boundary line where the burn stops), burn patterns consistent with a
spattering by hot liquids, patterns caused by a particular kind of implement
(electric iron, etc.) or instrument (circular cigarette burns, etc.). I.
Lacerations,
welts, abrasions. J.
Injuries
inconsistent with information offered by the child. K.
Injuries
inconsistent with the child's age. L.
Injuries
that regularly appear after absence or vacation. Emotional Abuse Indicators: M.
Lags in
physical development. N.
Extreme
behavior disorder. O.
Fearfulness
of adults or authority figures. P.
Revelations
of highly inappropriate adult behavior, i.e., being enclosed in a dark
closet, forced to drink or eat inedible items. Sexual Abuse Indicators Sexual abuse, whether physical injuries are sustained or
not, is any act or acts involving sexual molestation or exploitation,
including but not limited to incest, rape, carnal knowledge, sodomy or
unnatural or perverted sexual practices. Indicators include: Q.
Child
having difficulty sitting down. R.
Child
refusing to change into gym clothes (when he/she has been willing to change
in the past). S.
Venereal
disease in a child of any age. T.
Evidence
of physical trauma or bleeding to the oral, genital or anal areas. U.
Child
running away from home and not giving any specific complaint about what is
wrong at home. V.
Pregnancy
at 11 or 12 with no history of peer socialization. Neglect Indicators
Physical Neglect Indicators: W.
Lack of
basic needs (food, clothing, shelter). X.
Inadequate
supervision (unattended). Y.
Lack of
essential health care and high incidence of illness. Z.
Poor
hygiene on a regular basis. AA.
Inappropriate
clothing in inclement weather. BB.Abandonment. Some Behavioral Indicators of Abuse: CC.
Wary of
adult contact. DD.
Frightened
of parents. EE.
Afraid
to go home. FF.
Habitually
truant or late to school. GG.
Arrives
at school early and remains after school later than other students. HH.
Wary of
physical contact by adults. II.
Shows
evidence of overall poor care. JJ.
Parents
describe child as “difficult” or “bad.” KK.
Inappropriately
dressed for the weather — no coat or shoes in cold weather or long sleeves
and high necklines in hot weather (possibly hiding marks of abuse). LL.
Exhibit
behavioral extremes: crying often or never, unusually aggressive or withdrawn and fearful. NOTE: Behavioral
indicators in and of themselves do not prove abuse has occurred. Together
with other indicators they may warrant a referral. Child abuse as defined by the statutes can be inflicted
“by any person” and may include student-on-student abuse. These cases also
require reporting to CPS, DSHS or law enforcement. Child abuse in this and
all other cases requires two elements. First, there must be injury, sexual
abuse, sexual exploitation, negligent treatment or maltreatment. Second,
there must be harm to the child’s health, welfare or safety. Date: May 26, 2009 |