4-H Volunteer Training

Katie Wallace Dixon

State 4-H

4-H Volunteer Training

Child Abuse
Prevention & Detection

Definition of Child Abuse in South Carolina

Child abuse occurs when the parent, guardian, or other
person responsible for the child's welfare:
Inflicts or allows to be inflicted upon the child physical or mental
injury or engages in acts or omissions that present a substantial
risk of physical or mental injury to the child, including injuries
sustained as a result of excessive corporal punishment
-Physical injury means death or permanent or
temporary disfigurement or impairment of any
bodily organ or function.

Possible Signs
Unexplained (or poorly explained) injuries. Bruises in the shape of objects, cigarette burns or bite
marks should raise particular concerns.
Changes in behavior (suddenly withdrawn, angry, aggressive, anxious or depressed)
Regressing to earlier behaviors (such as thumb-sucking, bed-wetting, fear of the dark or strangers)
Fear of going home
Change in appetite, or signs of a sudden eating disorder
Risk taking behaviors
Wary of adults
Uncomfortable when other children cry, and generally controls own crying

Normal vs. Not Normal Injuries

Normal
Children who run and play
frequently fall, trip and run into
things. The areas children
frequently scrape or bruise
include:
Knees
Elbows
Forehead
Hands
Chin
Nose

Not Normal
70% of non accidental injuries
occur in these areas. The
primary areas for abuse include:
Upper, middle and lower back
Back of neck
Buttocks
Back of leg and knees
Back of arms and hands (areas
that may be injured when the
child tries to defend her/himself)

Definition of Neglect in South Carolina

Neglect
Citation: Ann. Code 63-7-20
Child neglect occurs when the parent, guardian, or
other person responsible for the child's welfare fails
to supply the child with adequate food, clothing,
shelter, education as required by law; supervision
appropriate to the child's age and development; or
health care even though financially able to do so or
offered financial or other reasonable means to do
so and the failure to do so has caused or presents a
substantial risk of causing physical or mental injury.

Possible Signs of Neglect

Begs for or hoards food
States frequent/continual absence of
parent or guardian
Frequently dirty or not bathed
Has unattended physical problems
Shows extreme dependence or
detachment
Frequently hungry or inappropriately
dressed
Engages in delinquent behavior, such as
prostitution or stealing

Examples of Neglect
Failure to provide adequate food, shelter, and clothing appropriate to the
climatic and environmental conditions
Failure to provide, whether intentional or otherwise, supervision or a reliable
person(s) to provide child care
Leaving a child alone for an excessive period of time (given the child's age and
cognitive abilities)
The person responsible for the child's care displays erratic or impaired behavior
Recognizing the child's need but failing to provide the child with emotional
nurturance

Definition of Sexual Abuse in South Carolina

Sexual Abuse/Exploitation
Citation: Ann. Code 63-7-20
Child sexual abuse occurs when the parent, guardian,
or other person responsible for the child's welfare
commits or allows to be committed against the child a
sexual offense as defined by the laws of this State or
engages in acts or omissions that present a substantial
risk that a sexual offense as defined in the laws of this
State would be committed against the child.

Video on Youth Service Organizations

The following video shows the importance of being

knowledgeable about child abuse while being part of
an organization such as 4-H.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv88X2LcnP0

Child Sexual Abuse: Facts you need to know!

1 in 3 girls are sexually abused before the age of 18.

1 in 5 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18.
30% of sexual abuse is never reported.
Nearly 70% of all reported sexual assaults (including assaults on adults) occur to
children age 17 and under.
90% of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way.
38% of the sexual abusers of boys are female.
(Statistics found on LaurensKids.org)

Armed with
awareness

Signs of Sexual Abuse

The following video shows the possible signs of
sexual abuse in children.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ykth8k2J8g#at=4
7

Possible Signs of Sexual Abuse

Difficulty walking or sitting
Demonstrates unusual sexual knowledge/behavior above developmental level
Shows extreme compliance or defiance
Sudden reluctance to change near others (for activities such as gym)
Reported nightmares or bedwetting
Sudden change in appetite
Suddenly avoids a certain adult(s)
Experiences pain when urinating
Signs of eating disorders
Exhibits promiscuity

Child Sexual Abuse: The Predator

Predators often target children
with obvious vulnerabilities:
A child who feels
unloved/unpopular
Has family problems
Spends time alone and
unsupervised
Lacks confidence and self esteem
Is isolated from peers

Possible Signs of a Predator

Grooming is where the abuser:

Identifies and targets the victim

Gains trust and access
Plays a role in the childs life
Isolates the child
Creates a secrecy around the relationship
Initiates sexual contact (starting with arms
around the shoulder, pat on the knee, etc.)
Controls the relationship

Possible Signs of a Predator

Offers to play games, give rides, buy treats or gifts,
etc.
Always offers a sympathetic ear (Your parents and
friends dont understand you? Well, I do.)
Tries to fill a void in the childs life
Is unusually protective of the child or severely limits
the childs contact with other children
Exhibits jealousy when youth would rather spend
time with others

Dos and Donts of Responding

DO

Immediately tell the child you believe

them.
Tell them they were right to tell you, and
were brave to do so.
Acknowledge that it is difficult talk about
this
Tell the child that they are not responsible
and did not deserve it
Ensure that the child feels safe following
disclosure

DONT

Panic or show that you are shocked.

REMAIN CALM!
Never give the impression that you might
blame the child. Dont ask: Why did you
let him?, what were you doing there
anyways? or why didnt you tell me
before?.
Dont promise that you wont tell anyone if
the child asks you to keep it a secret
Dont ask intrusive questions. Listen but
dont push for more answers.

Mandated Reporters in South Carolina

Professionals Required to Report
Citation: Ann. Code 63-7-310

The following professionals are required to report:

Physicians, nurses, dentists, optometrists, medical examiners, or coroners
Employees of county medical examiner's or coroner's offices
Any other medical, emergency medical services, mental health, or allied health professionals
Members of the clergy, including Christian Science practitioners or religious healers
School teachers, counselors, principals, assistant principals, or school attendance officers
Social or public assistance workers, substance abuse treatment staff, or child care worker in a child care
center or foster care facility
Foster parents
Police or law enforcement officers or juvenile justice workers
Undertakers, funeral home directors, or employees of a funeral home
Persons responsible for processing films or computer technicians
Judges
Volunteer non-attorney guardians ad litem serving on behalf of the South Carolina Guardian Ad Litem
Program or the Richland County CASA

How to Report
If you have reason to believe a child
may be or has been abused or
neglected, contact local law
enforcement. If you do not have the
number for local law enforcement, call
911.
After reporting to authorities, call PreCollegiate Programs Office at 864-6565535. The office will follow up as
necessary with appropriate agencies.

Failure to Report
Failure to Report
Ann. Code 63-7-410
Any mandatory reporter or any person required to
perform any other function under the reporting laws,
who knowingly fails to do so, or a person who
threatens or attempts to intimidate a witness, is guilty
of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be
fined up to $500, be imprisoned for up to 6 months,
or both.

Lessons Learned from Penn State: The Importance of

Reporting to the Correct Source.
March 1, 2002: Grad Assistant Mike McQueary witnesses Sandusky in the
showers with a young boy, raping him.
March 2, 2002: McQueary goes to Paternos house and tells him that he
witnessed rape of a young boy. Paterno testified that McQueary was very
upset.
March 3, 2002: Paterno then tells Athletic Director Tim Curley that
McQueary had seen Jerry Sandusky in the showers fondling or doing
something of a sexual nature to a young boy.
They decided to take Sanduskys locker room keys away, but never
contacted authorities.
Curley testified during the trial that he had only been told that Sandusky was
"horsing around" with an underage boy.
It went from rape to horsing around. If McQueary had gone straight to
police, this would have not happened when it was time to testify.

Protecting Yourself
Staff should always abide by the following:
Actively avoid being alone with a child.
Always stay within view of other people.
Never pat, brush against or touch a child anywhere near a private area.
Never physically punish a child, even by ordering strenuous activity (such as push-ups).
Never allow a child in a private staff area, including personal vehicles.
Never discuss romantic life with a child (yours or theirs).
Report ANY suspicious, inappropriate or uncomfortable activity immediately.

References Used

Laurenskids.org
Childwelfare.gov
Nationalchildrensalliance.org
Fcasv.org
Cnn.com/2012/01/29/justice/sandusky-witness-words

Proceed to the Quiz