Indicators of neglect
neglect - inattention of basic needs… clothing, nutrition, shelter, supervision, indicators include:
- hunger
- poor hygiene
- inappropriate dress
- lack of supervision
- unattended physical problems
Behavioral indicators of neglect
- begging
- stealing food or other necessities
- extending school days
- fatigue
- falling asleep
- chemical abuse
- reports of neglect
Consequences of neglect
children need emotional and sensory stimulation during formal period of brain development… many don’t
Physically & emotionally abused
- nonaccidental physical injury to child by caregiver
- emotional abuse - treatment which may diminish sense of identity, dignity, & self-worth, can be chronic failure of caregiver to provide affection & support
- confinement, isolation, verbal assault, humiliation & intimidation
Child abuse & neglect laws - federal
- parents’ rights under care & custody of a child vs. abuse
- court decides not what constitutes appropriate discipline, but when punishment is excessive
Child abuse & neglect laws - state
- state protects children more than federal govt.
- what is reasonable varies from state to state, judge to judge, court to court, & jury to jury
In NE, abuse is defined in 3 ways
- physical abuse exists when a child has a non-accidental injury
- emotional abuse exists when parents put blame on child or always rejects child
- sexual abuse exists when an adult uses a child as a part of any type of sexual act
Neglect is defined in 2 ways
- emotional neglect is when child suffers from parents not giving them chances for feeling loved, wanted, secure, & worthy
- physical neglect is when a parent doesn’t provide basic needs or a safe place to live
Examples of emotional neglect
- not having enough food/clothing
- not following doctor’s orders
- not providing the supervision needed to keep child safe
- not having heat in winter
2 leading causes of abuse
- domestic violence between husbands & wives
- poverty (family stress)
Physical abuse indicators
- unexplained bruises
- welts, burns, fractures, lacerations, abrasions
Behavioral indicators of abuse
- being scared of adults
- uncomfortable when other children cry
- extreme aggression or withdrawal
- frightened of parents - afraid to go home
Emotional abuse indicators
- speech disorders
- poor physical hygiene
- general failure to thrive
Characteristics which increase children’s vulnerability to abuse
- premature birth
- birth to adolescent parents
- colic - periods of significant distress (crying) in a well-fed, healthy baby
- congenital (present at birth) deficiencies or abnormalities
3 levels of abuse
- collective abuse - social injustice - poverty, poor water, substandard food
- institutionalized abuse - approved use of force or violence against children (schools)
- individual abuse - people who emotionally or physically abuse children
Link between child abuse & delinquency
- direct link
- NIJ - 2/3 inmates have suffered from previous abuse or neglect
- abused & neglected children 67x more likely to be arrested compared to those who don’t
Sexually abused children
Physical indicators:
- venereal diseases (STDs)
- pregnancy
Behavioral indicators of sexually abused children
- unwilling to change clothes
- skips out of gym class
- withdrawal, fantasy, or infantile behavior
- bizarre sexual behavior
- sexual sophistication
- poor peer relationships
- running away
- reporting it
The Internet
- ages 12-17 use internet the most (19% encountered unwanted sexual solicitations, 25% report exposure to unwanted sexual material, and are largest viewers of porn)
- average age for 1st exposure to porn is 11
-80% of 15–17-year-olds have multiple hardcore exposures - 90% of 8-16-year-olds have viewed porn online
3 types of sexual predators
- passive - primary collects & trades child porn online
- active - trading pictures & engages children via online chats
- aggressive - seduces by phone or chat in hopes of face-to-face meeting & possible abduction
Issues of credibility
- allegations can be difficult to prove
- weeding out false allegations is hard
- “Said Syndrome” - sexual allegations in divorce
Violence & the Media
some say there is a direct link, others say there is not enough data to make that leap
Cycle of Violence - Paisner
children who have witnessed abuse or have been abused are more likely to abuse spouse or child when they become adults than are children raised in nonviolent homes
5 categories of missing children
- runaways
- throwaways
- nonfamily abduction (least common)
- family abduction (most common), family member takes child
- lost, injured & otherwise missing
Responsibility for Investigating Missing & Exploiting Children
law enforcement response to parent(s) often bad
