Prevention So much of prevention depends on recognizing risk factors for abuse and taking steps to help defuse potentially abusive situations. The following are some strategies for social workers to take to help prevent child abuse (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019): ● Teach parents about growth and development stages, behaviors and developmental changes.
● Spending the majority of their time with children and having little interest in spending time with adults. ● Frequently offering to babysit or to take children overnight. ● Buying children expensive gifts or giving them money for no apparent reason. ● Often walking in on children or teenagers when they are in the bathroom.
Scenario 1 Leslie is a licensed social worker who works in a community hospital in upper New York State. She lives in a small, peaceful town and rejoices at the lack of violence and the neighborly good will that seems predominant in her community. However, Leslie’s complacency is about to be shattered. Leslie works as an integrated behavioral health specialist in a family medicine clinic. Leslie’s brother and his family have recently relocated from California to Leslie’s quiet town, and she is thrilled to have them nearby. Leslie is especially glad to have a chance to become reacquainted with Marie, her sister-in-law, whom she has always admired. Marie is a financial planner and has a successful home business in addition to being a mother to three children ages 5, 8, and 10. Marie has arranged to see one of the physicians at Leslie’s workplace. She has a severe upper respiratory infection. Marie arrives early, and Leslie meets her in the waiting room to chat until it is time for her appointment. Marie says, “I am just exhausted. Trying to get the house settled and keep up with my clients is almost impossible. Your brother isn’t that much help; he’s working such long hours at his new job. And trying to keep up with three children is just too much. Especially this 5-year-old here. She just needs too much attention.” It was then that a nurse opened the door to the exam rooms and announced it was time for Marie to come back. “Do you mind if I join you for your appointment? We can continue to talk until Dr. Johnson is ready for you,” Leslie offered. Marie accepted. In the examination room the nurse confirms patient identifying information and collects vitals. Leslie notices that her 5-year-old niece, Anne, huddles in a corner while her mother is speaking. Leslie and Marie continue their conversation until the physician arrives. Leslie offers to take Anne to the break room for a juice box so Dr. Johnson can conduct her examination of Marie. Although it is a warm summer day, Anne has on a long-sleeved sweater. “Anne, you seem so sad. Do you miss your old home?” Anne shakes her head and rubs her upper arms. “What’s wrong? Let me see your arms.” To her horror, Leslie finds bruises in various stages of healing over her niece’s upper arms. “Anne, can you tell me how you got hurt?” “I was a bad girl,” Anne replies. “I spilled my milk yesterday and Mommy told me I was bad and had to learn a lesson.” Leslie is shocked and frightened. She knows that such bruising is a sign of physical abuse. She also knows that as a mandated reporter, she must report her findings. “I knew that I might have to deal with this at work, but I never dreamed it would affect my family,” she thought. Leslie is facing a difficult challenge. However, her obligation is to protect the safety and welfare of the child. New York State recognizes that some professionals are particularly well qualified to be mandated reporters of child abuse, including social workers, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and licensed mental health counselors among other medical and allied healthcare providers (New York State Consolidated Laws, Social Services Law- SOS§413). The purpose of this education program is to help behavioral health and other healthcare providers recognize signs and symptoms that indicate child abuse or maltreatment and to assist them in effectively fulfilling their roles as mandated reporters in New York State.
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