Accepting the Unique Abilities, Educational Opportunity, and Tax Credit scholarships.
Accepting the Unique Abilities, Educational Opportunity, and Tax Credit scholarships.
Look for the signs
Signs of Physical Abuse
· The child may have unexplained:
o bruises, welts, cuts, or other injuries
o broken bones
o burns
o seem withdrawn or depressed
o seem afraid to go home or may run away
o shy away from physical contact
o be aggressive
o wear inappropriate clothing to hide injuries
Signs of Sexual Abuse
· The child may have:
o torn, stained or bloody underwear
o trouble walking or sitting
o pain or itching in genital area
o a sexually transmitted disease
· A child experiencing sexual abuse may:
o have unusual knowledge of sex or act seductively
o fear a particular person
o seem withdrawn or depressed
o gain or lose weight suddenly
o shy away from physical contact
o run away from home
Signs of Neglect
· The child may have:
o unattended medical needs
o little or no supervision at home
o poor hygiene
o appear underweight
· A child experiencing neglect may:
o be frequently tired or hungry
o steal food
o appear overly needy for adult attention
Look for the Patterns
Serious abuse usually involves a combination of factors. While a single sign may not be significant, a pattern of physical or behavioral signs is a serious indicator and should be reported.
If a child tells YOU about abuse:
· Be a good listener. Show that you understand and believe what the child tells you. Encourage, but don’t pressure him/her to talk. Ask open ended questions.
· Be supportive. Tell the child he/she did the right thing by coming to you. Stress that he/she is not to blame. Let the child know that you want to help.
· Don’t overreact. This can frighten the child or prevent him/her from telling you more. Do not talk negatively about the suspected abuser in front of the child.
· Document and report it. Document your conversation as soon as you can. If possible, write down the child’s exact words.
· Don’t delay. Never assume someone else will report the abuse. The sooner it’s reported, the sooner the child and their family can be helped.
Who must report abuse?
· Doctors
· Nurses
· Social Workers
· Police Officers
· Child Care Workers
· Any Witnesses
· Any/All School Personnel
Call 800-96abuse or report abuse online at: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report/
Chrysalis School and Center for Change
1173 Spring Centre South Blvd, Suite B Altamonte Springs, FL 32714