Child Abuse

What is child abuse?

Any behavior directed toward a child by a parent, guardian, caregiver, family member or other adult that endangers or impairs a child’s physical or emotional health and development.

  • Physical Abuse
    • A non-accidental injury to a child
      • Beating
      • Burning
      • Biting
      • Shaking a child
    • Signs
      • Unexplained bruises
      • Burns
      • Black eyes
      • Welts or other injuries
      • Apparent fear of a parent or caregiver
      • School absences
  • Emotional Abuse
    • Injury to the psychological capacity or emotional stability of a child
      • Verbal insults
      • Yelling
      • Threats
      • Swearing
      • Controlling
      • Isolating
      • Rejecting
      • Withholding love
      • Child witnessing violence in the home
    • Signs
      • Extreme changes in behavior
      • Acting overly mature or immature for the child’s age
      • Attempted suicide
      • Lack of emotional attachment to the parent.
  • Sexual Abuse
    • Any touching or non-touching sexual contact with a child or sexual exploitation of a child
      •  Rape
      • Fondling
      • Incest
      • Pornography
      • Exhibitionism
      • Internet crimes
    • Signs
      • Pain
      • Difficulty walking or sitting
      • Redness or injury in the genital or anal area
      • Bedwetting or nightmares
      • A sexual knowledge or play with toys, self or others that is beyond what is normal for the child’s age
  • Neglect
    • Failure to provide for a child’s safety or basic physical, emotional, medical or educational needs.
      • Willingly putting a child in harm’s way
    • Signs
      • Poor hygiene
      • Lack of needed medical or dental care
      • Missing school frequently
      • Malnutrition
      • A child saying there is no one at home to care for him/her

What are the signs of Child Abuse?

  • Children could show behavioral or physical signs of abuse (noted in above descriptions)
  • Adults may also
    • See the child as worthless or a burden.
    • Seem secretive or isolate the child.
    • Often blame, belittle or insult the child.
    • Deny any problems at school or at home.
    • Avoid discussing the child’s injuries or give conflicting explanations for them.
    • Depend on the child for emotional support.
    • Use harsh physical discipline.

How do I report abuse?

  • If possible, have the following info:
    • Name of child
    • Phone Number
    • Address
    • Information about siblings
    • Date of Birth
    • Parent/Guardian’s Name
    • State why you have reason to believe the child is abused and/or neglected (report factual information and observations)
  • **As a member of the general public, you DO NOT have to give your name when making a report

What happens to the family when a DCFS call is made?

  • If a report is taken, DCFS will send an investigator out to the home within 24 hours
    • By law, DCFS must make contact with the child victim within 24 hours
    • If contact with the parents cannot be made within 24 hours, DCFS can still proceed with an interview with the youth

Can DCFS talk to my child at school without my permission?

  • By law, DCFS is required to attempt to notify parents when they want to interview a child
  • HOWEVER, if they feel that notifying the parents will put the child more at risk, they have the right to interview the child without notifying the parents in an effort to PROTECT the child