_____________________________ Child Abuse Identification and Reporting: The Pennsylvania Requirement
• History of parent “losing control” or “hitting too hard” Child risk indicators include [8; 10; 12; 16]: • Multiple school absences • Learning or developmental disabilities • History of multiple, unexplained illnesses, hospitalizations, or accidents • Poor general appearance (e.g., fearful, poor hygiene, malnourished appearance, inappropriate clothing for weather conditions) • Stress-related symptoms, such as headaches or stomachaches • Frozen watchfulness • Mental illness or symptoms, such as psychosis, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, or panic attacks • Regression to wetting and soiling • Sexually explicit play • Excessive or out-of-the-ordinary clinging behavior • Difficulties with concentration • Disruptions in sleep patterns and/or nightmares In addition, warning signs specifically associated with victims of child trafficking and/or exploitation include (but are not limited to): • A youth that has been verified to be younger than 18 years of age and is in any way involved in the commercial sex industry or has a record of prior arrest for prostitution or related charges • An explicitly sexual online profile • Excessive frequenting of Internet chat rooms or classified sites • Depicting elements of sexual exploitation in drawing, poetry, or other modes of creative expression • Frequent or multiple sexually transmitted infections or pregnancies • Lying about or not being aware of their true age • Having no knowledge of personal data (e.g., age, name, date of birth) • Having no identification • Wearing sexually provocative clothing • Wearing new clothes of any style, getting hair and/ or nails done with no financial means
decline attributed to the end of COVID-19 precautions and the return to usual contact between children and mandated reporters [27]. Of the substantiated child abuse cases, there were 60 fatalities, 13 less than in 2020 [27]. More than half (50.1%) of perpetrators of child abuse in 2022 were the parent of the child victim [27]. CHILD ABUSE VICTIMIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES ACCORDING TO RACE/ETHNICITY, 2020 Race/Ethnicity Child Abuse Rate per 1,000 Children Native American/Alaska Native 15.5 African American 13.2 Multi-race 10.3 Pacific Islander 9.0 Hispanic 7.8 White 7.4 Asian American 1.6 Source: [15] Table 1 RECOGNIZING WARNING SIGNS It is crucial that practitioners become familiar with the indica- tions of child abuse and neglect. These factors do not neces- sarily conclusively indicate the presence of abuse or neglect; rather, they are clues that require further interpretation and clinical investigation. Some parental risk indicators include [8; 10; 12; 16]: • Recounting of events that do not conform either with the physical findings or the child’s physical and/or developmental capabilities • Inappropriate delay in bringing the child to a health facility • Unwillingness to provide information or the information provided is vague • History of family violence in the home • Parental misuse of substances and/or alcohol • Minimal knowledge or concern about the child’s development and care • Environmental stressors, such as poverty, single parenthood, unemployment, or chronic illness in the family • Unwanted pregnancy • Early adolescent parent • Expression that the parent(s) wanted a baby in order to feel loved
• Being secretive about whereabouts • Having late nights or unusual hours
• Having a tattoo that s/he is reluctant to explain • Being in a controlling or dominating relationship • Not having control of own finances
• Unrealistic expectations of the child • Use of excessive physical punishment • Healthcare service “shopping”
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Book Code: DPA1525
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