Child maltreatment and neglect

You are a professional working in a day care program for infants and children up to age 4. You begin to notice several signs exhibited by one of the 3-year-olds in your care that indicate possible abuse. You understand that child maltreatment is an extremely complicated situation; however, you also know it is your ethical and legal responsibility to act.

What should you do first in order to determine whether or not you are correct in your suspicion of abuse?

            Child maltreatment and neglect is a major problem that affects many children, families or communities in the United States, and a problem that many child care providers face at work.  There are various indicators of maltreatment that as a child care professional who spends a lot of time with children I can observe in children below 4 years in my day care. I can confirm my suspicion of abuse by identifying signs from four categories of maltreatment, which comprise of physical, psychological, neglect and sexual abuse (Reynolds & Robertson, 2003).

            I can confirm that a child has been physically abused if he or she appears frightened, comes to the day care with unexplained black eyes, bruises, cuts, shaken baby syndrome (SBS) or other injuries. Signs confirming psychological or emotional abuse include exhibiting fearful behavior, acting like he or she is waiting for a bad thing to occur, speech disorder, becoming less talkative, shunning affection from parents, unusually passive, or a child who was mild acting in an aggressive and demanding manner (Cawson, 2002). I can confirm sexual abuse in a child by observing a child exhibiting difficulty when walking or sitting, being reluctant when asked to take off a sweater or coat in a hot day, and insisting to wear multiple undergarments.  A child can confirm suspicion of sexual abuse when he or she demonstrates sexual curiosity, knowledge or behavior with other children, which is developmentally inappropriate. It is possible to confirm sexual abuse in a child who demonstrates fear especially towards individuals of a particular gender  (Reynolds & Robertson, 2003). As a child care professional, I can confirm my suspicion of child maltreatment through physical signs of possible neglect that include a child coming to the day care with inappropriate clothing for the day’s weather, poor hygiene, scaly skin and fatigue (Cawson, 2002).

What intervention methods and strategies might you take in response to the situation?

            After I have confirmed my suspicion that a child in my day care program is being maltreated or abused, I will create a safe environment for the child to talk me about the experience. As the child talks about the maltreatment experience, I will assure the child that he or she did not do anything wrong. I will arrange medical examination and mental assistance for the child by identifying a provider who is experienced in identifying sexual, physical or emotional trauma, and examining children. As a professional working in a day care and understanding that I am required by law to report any child abuse and neglect incident when I have a reason to believe a child in my day care program is being abused (Ward, Brown & Westlake, 2012).

How could you support the child and his/her family through referrals or other means, ensuring that the child is protected throughout the process?

            It is possible to stop child maltreatment and abuse through reduction of risks associated with child abuse and enhancing the factors that support child protection. Child protection strategies include supportive programs that focus on change of attitude, individual behavior, changing policies and social norms to develop an environment that supports a stable, safe, and nurturing relationship for both the children and families (Thoburn, Wilding & Watson, 2000).

            Among the programs that I can refer abused children and their families include child-parent centers that will offer a comprehensive family and educational support to the maltreated children and their families. This program emphasizes a child-centered, individual approach to cognitive and social development in addition to parental participation. Studies have shown that this strategy had a 52 per cent reduction in child abuse and neglect (Reynolds & Robertson, 2003).

            Another referral method to reduce child maltreatment and support the families is advising the family about the Durham Family Initiative that seeks to reduce child maltreatment by coordinating services for the affected families through home visits and referrals from schools or day cares. This programs works with various stakeholders such as community leaders to implement cross-training, data collection and sharing information. In Durham county, this model resulted 57 per cent reduction in child abuse and neglect (Daro & Dodge, 2009).

What are your state's procedures for documenting and reporting any observed maltreatment?

            In Colorado, individuals who seek to document or report a case of suspected child maltreatment or neglect are required to make an oral report by immediately making a telephone call. After an oral report, an individual is required to document a case of child maltreatment suspicion in writing within 48 hours after making an oral report. Oral reports are made at the statewide central register of child maltreatment and abuse (Frank Group, Colorado & Colorado, 2008).

Reference

Cawson, P. (2002). Child maltreatment in the family: the experience of a national sample of           young people. London: NSPCC. 

Daro, D., & Dodge, K.A. (2009). Creating Community responsibility for child protection:             Possibilities and challenges. Future of Children, 19, 67-93.

Franko Group., Colorado., & Colorado. (2008). Colorado early childhood barriers and waivers:   Prepared for Colorado Department of Education & Colorado Department of Human      Services. Denver, Colo: Franko Group. 

Radford, L., Corral, S., Bradley, C., Fisher, H., Bassett, C., Howat, N. and Collishaw, S. (2011) Child abuse and neglect in the UK today. London: NSPCC.

Reynolds A. J. & Robertson, D. L. (2003). School-based early intervention and later child            maltreatment in the Chicago Longitudinal Study. Child Development. 74(1):3–26.

Thoburn, J., Wilding, J. & Watson, J. (2000) Family support in cases of emotional maltreatment    and neglect. London: The Stationery Office. 

Ward, H., Brown, R. & Westlake, D. (2012) Safeguarding babies and very young children from    abuse and neglect. London: Jessica Kingsley.