Virginia 4-H Camping Volunteer Training Modules

Virginia 4-H CampingVirginia 4-H CampingVolunteer Training ModulesVolunteer Training Modules

MODULE 9: MODULE 9: CHILD ABUSE AND CHILD ABUSE AND

NEGLECTNEGLECT

Developed by Barry A. Garst, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist 4-H Youth Development, March 2006

If you are a If you are a 4-H adult volunteer leader4-H adult volunteer leader:: 1. Review the 4-H camp-related information contained in this presentation.1. Review the 4-H camp-related information contained in this presentation. 2. Consider the “2. Consider the “Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions” listed on the last page.” listed on the last page. 3. Contact your local 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for 3. Contact your local 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for 4-H camping in your county/city) to review this information.4-H camping in your county/city) to review this information.

If you are a If you are a VCE faculty or staff member responsible for 4-H camping in VCE faculty or staff member responsible for 4-H camping in your unityour unit::

1. Review the 4-H camp-related information contained in this presentation.1. Review the 4-H camp-related information contained in this presentation. 2. Use this presentation to support your 4-H camp teen/adult volunteer 2. Use this presentation to support your 4-H camp teen/adult volunteer

leader training.leader training. 3. Use the “3. Use the “Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions” listed on the last page as a resource in ” listed on the last page as a resource in

reviewing this information with your 4-H camp volunteers.reviewing this information with your 4-H camp volunteers.

How to Use this InformationHow to Use this Information

The 4-H Camp EnvironmentThe 4-H Camp EnvironmentNeglect and AbuseNeglect and AbuseTypes of Neglect and AbuseTypes of Neglect and AbuseIndicators of Child MaltreatmentIndicators of Child MaltreatmentWhat do you do when a child tells you that What do you do when a child tells you that he/she has been abused?he/she has been abused?

OverviewOverview

Why do you think Why do you think campers and teens campers and teens sometimes disclose sometimes disclose abuse at 4-H camp?abuse at 4-H camp?

It is not uncommon for youth to disclose that they have It is not uncommon for youth to disclose that they have been neglected and/or abused. Youth often perceive the been neglected and/or abused. Youth often perceive the 4-H camp environment as a safe place where they feel 4-H camp environment as a safe place where they feel cared for and supported. This “caring environment” cared for and supported. This “caring environment” makes it easier for a camper or teen to disclose neglect makes it easier for a camper or teen to disclose neglect or abuse. or abuse.

The 4-H Camp EnvironmentThe 4-H Camp Environment

Because 4-H camp volunteers (teens and adults) work Because 4-H camp volunteers (teens and adults) work so closely with 4-H youth campers, they may be the first so closely with 4-H youth campers, they may be the first to learn of such abuse or neglect.to learn of such abuse or neglect.

Therefore, it is important that all 4-H camp volunteers are Therefore, it is important that all 4-H camp volunteers are familiar with the familiar with the typestypes, , indicatorsindicators, and , and reporting processreporting process for neglect and child abuse.for neglect and child abuse.

The 4-H Camp EnvironmentThe 4-H Camp Environment

Child maltreatment includes child abuse and neglect.Child maltreatment includes child abuse and neglect.

Child maltreatment is defined as, Child maltreatment is defined as, “any recent act or “any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation, or an act or failure to act sexual abuse or exploitation, or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.”which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.”

Defining Child MaltreatmentDefining Child Maltreatment

Characterized by a failure to provide for a child’s basic needs. Characterized by a failure to provide for a child’s basic needs. Neglect can be physical, educational, or emotional. Neglect can be physical, educational, or emotional.

Sometimes cultural values, standards of care in a particular Sometimes cultural values, standards of care in a particular community, and the poverty level in a community can community, and the poverty level in a community can contribute to neglect. contribute to neglect.

See handout, See handout, “What is Child Abuse and Neglect?”“What is Child Abuse and Neglect?” for more for more information.information.

NeglectNeglect

Physical neglect-Physical neglect- failure to provide food and shelter; lack of failure to provide food and shelter; lack of appropriate supervisionappropriate supervision

Medical neglect-Medical neglect- failure to provide medical care or mental failure to provide medical care or mental health treatmenthealth treatment

Educational neglect-Educational neglect- failure to educate a child or attend to failure to educate a child or attend to special education needsspecial education needs

Emotional neglect-Emotional neglect- inattention to a child’s needs; failure to inattention to a child’s needs; failure to provide psychological care, permitting a child to use provide psychological care, permitting a child to use alcohol/drugsalcohol/drugs

Types of NeglectTypes of Neglect

Physical abusePhysical abuse

Characterized by the infliction of physical injury as a result of Characterized by the infliction of physical injury as a result of punching, beating, kicking, biting, burning, shaking, or punching, beating, kicking, biting, burning, shaking, or otherwise harming a child.otherwise harming a child.

The parent or caretaker may not have intended to hurt the The parent or caretaker may not have intended to hurt the child; rather, the injury may have resulted from over-discipline child; rather, the injury may have resulted from over-discipline or physical punishment.or physical punishment.

Types of AbuseTypes of Abuse

Sexual abuseSexual abuse

Includes fondling of child’ genitals, intercourse, incest, rape, Includes fondling of child’ genitals, intercourse, incest, rape, sodomy, exhibitionism, and commercial exploitation through sodomy, exhibitionism, and commercial exploitation through prostitution or the production of pornographic materials.prostitution or the production of pornographic materials.


Emotional abuseEmotional abuse

Includes acts or omissions by the parents or other caregivers Includes acts or omissions by the parents or other caregivers that have caused, or could cause, serious behavioral, that have caused, or could cause, serious behavioral, cognitive, emotional, or mental disorders. (See handout, cognitive, emotional, or mental disorders. (See handout, “What is Child Maltreatment?” for more information)“What is Child Maltreatment?” for more information)


There are many signs and symptoms that suggest the There are many signs and symptoms that suggest the presence of abuse - but no single sign necessarily presence of abuse - but no single sign necessarily indicates abuse. indicates abuse.

Some abused children present none of the following Some abused children present none of the following signs, while others exhibit a pattern or combination of signs, while others exhibit a pattern or combination of symptoms and behaviors. symptoms and behaviors.

Indicators of Child Indicators of Child MaltreatmentMaltreatment

NEGLECT-NEGLECT- Begging or stealing food, extended stays away from Begging or stealing food, extended stays away from home, fatigue or frequently tardy from school.home, fatigue or frequently tardy from school.

PHYSICAL ABUSE-PHYSICAL ABUSE- Questionable bruises, welts, burns, fractures, Questionable bruises, welts, burns, fractures, lacerations or abrasions. lacerations or abrasions.

SEXUAL ABUSE-SEXUAL ABUSE- Difficulty in walking; torn, stained or bloody Difficulty in walking; torn, stained or bloody clothing; bleeding or bruises in external genitalia, vaginal or anal clothing; bleeding or bruises in external genitalia, vaginal or anal area. area.

EMOTIONAL ABUSE-EMOTIONAL ABUSE- Habits disorders, destructive, sleep disorders, Habits disorders, destructive, sleep disorders, behavior extremes or self-destructive. behavior extremes or self-destructive.

Indicators of Child MaltreatmentIndicators of Child Maltreatment Virginia Department of Social ServicesVirginia Department of Social Services

SuspicionSuspicion is defined as “reasonable cause to believe is defined as “reasonable cause to believe that an individual has been abused or neglected.” that an individual has been abused or neglected.” Your suspicion may be triggered because a child Your suspicion may be triggered because a child discloses the abuse to you. discloses the abuse to you.

A child who tells you that he/she has been abused is A child who tells you that he/she has been abused is probably feeling scared, guilty, ashamed, angry and/or probably feeling scared, guilty, ashamed, angry and/or powerless. They are turning to you for help.powerless. They are turning to you for help.

What do volunteers do when a 4-H What do volunteers do when a 4-H camper discloses maltreatment?camper discloses maltreatment?

Though you may feel a sense of outrage, disgust, Though you may feel a sense of outrage, disgust, sadness, anger or disbelief, it is important to remain calm sadness, anger or disbelief, it is important to remain calm and in control of your feelings. and in control of your feelings.

You must handle this disclosure with sensitivity. You must handle this disclosure with sensitivity.

Be understanding and reassure the child that something Be understanding and reassure the child that something will be done to keep him/her safe. will be done to keep him/her safe.


Do not panic, do not criticize anyone involved, and Do not panic, do not criticize anyone involved, and remain objective. remain objective.

Respect the privacy of all those involved. Respect the privacy of all those involved.


Report the suspicion of child abuse to your 4-H Report the suspicion of child abuse to your 4-H Extension Agent, the H Center Program Director, or Extension Agent, the H Center Program Director, or 4-H Center Director.4-H Center Director.

You may need to separate the individuals who are You may need to separate the individuals who are involved (if both are 4-H camp participants).involved (if both are 4-H camp participants).


For a county/city-based camp, the unit Extension For a county/city-based camp, the unit Extension faculty/staff in charge of the 4-H camp will take the faculty/staff in charge of the 4-H camp will take the following actions:following actions:

Conduct discussions with those involved, those making the Conduct discussions with those involved, those making the allegations or accusations, and those against whom the allegations or accusations, and those against whom the allegations or accusations are made (if appropriate), and allegations or accusations are made (if appropriate), and document in writing their account of the alleged incident. They document in writing their account of the alleged incident. They will always have a witness present. will always have a witness present.

If the If the allegationallegation develops into a develops into a suspicionsuspicion, then the Extension , then the Extension faculty/staff person will call Child Protective Services or the faculty/staff person will call Child Protective Services or the Department of Social ServicesDepartment of Social Services

What will happen next?What will happen next?

For Junior 4-H camp conducted at a 4-H Center, the unit Extension For Junior 4-H camp conducted at a 4-H Center, the unit Extension faculty/staff in charge of the 4-H camp and the 4-H Center Program faculty/staff in charge of the 4-H camp and the 4-H Center Program Director will meet to make each other aware of the suspicion of child Director will meet to make each other aware of the suspicion of child abuse and to determine who will call Child Protective Services or the abuse and to determine who will call Child Protective Services or the Department of Social Services. Then the following actions will be Department of Social Services. Then the following actions will be taken:taken:

Interview individuals involved, those making the allegations or Interview individuals involved, those making the allegations or accusations, and those against whom the allegations or accusations are accusations, and those against whom the allegations or accusations are made (if appropriate), and document made (if appropriate), and document in writingin writing their account of the their account of the alleged incident. They will always have a witness present. alleged incident. They will always have a witness present. If the allegation develops into a suspicion, then the identified person will If the allegation develops into a suspicion, then the identified person will call Child Protective Services or the Department of Social Services.call Child Protective Services or the Department of Social Services.

What will happen next?What will happen next?

Determining whether or not a 4-H camp participant is Determining whether or not a 4-H camp participant is telling the truth telling the truth is notis not the responsibility of paid and the responsibility of paid and volunteer staff. volunteer staff.

Any suspicion must be reportedAny suspicion must be reported!!

It is not your responsibility to It is not your responsibility to determine whether or not a child determine whether or not a child is telling the truth!!!is telling the truth!!!

According to Virginia law (Section 63.1-248.et.seq.), According to Virginia law (Section 63.1-248.et.seq.), “any “any representative in a professional capacity involving the education representative in a professional capacity involving the education or care of children who has reason to suspect that a minor is an or care of children who has reason to suspect that a minor is an abused or neglected child, shall report the matter immediately to abused or neglected child, shall report the matter immediately to the local Social Services Department of the county or city the local Social Services Department of the county or city wherein the child resides or wherein the abuse or neglect is wherein the child resides or wherein the abuse or neglect is believed to have occurred”believed to have occurred”

State Law on ReportingState Law on Reporting

Call with whatever information you have, no matter Call with whatever information you have, no matter how basic. If possible, try to have the following how basic. If possible, try to have the following information: information:

Names (including family members), Names (including family members), Ages, Ages, Grade level, Grade level, Phone number, Phone number, Address, Address, Emergency contact numbers, andEmergency contact numbers, andOther information about the family.Other information about the family.

Information to Have When Calling Information to Have When Calling Child Protective ServicesChild Protective Services

Share any and all information known about the family Share any and all information known about the family even if you are not sure whether it is relevant (for even if you are not sure whether it is relevant (for example: grandparents recently moved in with them; a example: grandparents recently moved in with them; a parent is unemployed; there are other adults in the parent is unemployed; there are other adults in the home; there are special medical conditions in the home; there are special medical conditions in the family, etc).family, etc).

Information to Have When Calling Information to Have When Calling Child Protective ServicesChild Protective Services

The Department of Social Services will use the following The Department of Social Services will use the following criteria in determining if a complaint is valid. criteria in determining if a complaint is valid.

the child must be the child must be under the age of 18under the age of 18 at the time of the complaint. at the time of the complaint. the alleged abuser must be the child’s parent or caretaker.the alleged abuser must be the child’s parent or caretaker. the report must be made in the city or county where the child the report must be made in the city or county where the child

lives, where the abuse occurred, or, if neither of these is known, lives, where the abuse occurred, or, if neither of these is known, where the abuse is discovered.where the abuse is discovered.

the circumstances must meet the state definition of abuse and the circumstances must meet the state definition of abuse and neglect.neglect.

Criteria for Child MaltreatmentCriteria for Child Maltreatment

What are the different types of neglect?What are the different types of neglect?

What are the different types of child abuse?What are the different types of child abuse?

What is your role in reporting child maltreatment? What is the What is your role in reporting child maltreatment? What is the role of your 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible role of your 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for your county/city 4-H camping program) in reporting child for your county/city 4-H camping program) in reporting child maltreatment?maltreatment?

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

What is the first thing that you would do if a child reported that What is the first thing that you would do if a child reported that he/she was abused?he/she was abused?

What do you think is the most important thing that should be What do you think is the most important thing that should be remembered from this module?remembered from this module?

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

Garst, B.A. (2005). Garst, B.A. (2005). Virginia 4-H Camping Handbook.Virginia 4-H Camping Handbook. Virginia Virginia Cooperative Extension. Publication 388-562.Cooperative Extension. Publication 388-562.

National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information (2004). National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information (2004). What is Child Abuse and Neglect? What is Child Abuse and Neglect? U.S. Department of Health U.S. Department of Health and and Human Services.Human Services.

Virginia Cooperative Extension. (2004). Virginia Cooperative Extension. (2004). Risk Management InformationRisk Management Information. . Retrieved on March 19, 2004 from Retrieved on March 19, 2004 from http://www.ext.vt.edu/vce/policies/riskmgt.htmlhttp://www.ext.vt.edu/vce/policies/riskmgt.html

ReferencesReferences

Virginia 4-H Camping Volunteer Training Modules

Documents

Transcript of Virginia 4-H Camping Volunteer Training Modules