CHILD PROTECT OF MERCER COUNTY INC Mercer Countys

CHILD PROTECT OF MERCER COUNTY, INC. Mercer County’s non-profit Child Advocacy Center

Child Malteatment & Mandated Reporting Learning Objectives: � A) Understand your role as a mandated reporter � B) Recognize common signs or indicators of child abuse � C) Learn how to respond when you believe a child is being harmed

Child Malteatment & Mandated Reporting What is a Mandated Reporter? � Individuals who are REQUIRED BY LAW to report suspected child abuse or neglect. In WV, these are: � Medical, dental, mental health professionals Christian Science practitioners, religious healers and clergy School teachers and all other school personnel Social service, child care and foster care workers Law enforcement, humane officers and Div. of Juvenile Services employees Judges and Magistrates Youth camp employees/volunteers Coaches and volunteers for any organized youth program or group Commercial film or photographic print processors � � � �

Child Malteatment & Mandated Reporting WV Mandated Reporter Law (SB 465) � WV’s mandated reporter law was revised in 2018 and now requires mandated reporters to make a report to the WV Child Abuse Hotline within 24 HOURS after receiving a disclosure of abuse or suspecting that abuse or neglect has occurred. � In any case where the reporter believes that the child suffered serious physical or sexual abuse, the reporter should ADDITIONALLY contact the WV State Police.

Child Malteatment & Mandated Reporting WV Mandated Reporter Law (SB 465) � Mandated reporters are required to submit their report directly rather than reporting to a supervisor and having the supervisor make the report. � WV Child Abuse Hotline: 1 -800 -352 -6513 � Mercer County WV State Police Detachment: 304 -425 -2101

Child Malteatment & Mandated Reporting There is a huge need for prompt response and reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect in West Virginia. � Last year, WV child advocacy centers (CACs) served nearly 4, 000 when abuse was suspected or disclosed- a 66% increase in the last five years.

Child Sexual Abuse 1 in 4 Girls 1 in 6 Boys

Only 1 in 10 will tell

Offenders of Child Sexual Abuse 70% have between 1 and 9 victims 20 -25% have 10 to 40 victims Serial child molesters can have as many as 400 victims in their lifetime

Signs of Child Abuse 1) Unexplained injuries 2) Changes in behavior 3) Returning to earlier behaviors 4) Fear of going home 5) Changes in eating

Signs of Child Abuse 6) Changes in sleeping 7) Changes in school performance and attendance 8) Lack of personal care or hygiene 9) Risk-taking behaviors 10) Inappropriate sexual behaviors

Responding to Child Abuse Trust your instincts. Suspected abuse is enough of a reason to contact the authorities. You don’t need proof.

Responding to Child Abuse If a child discloses: DO � Remain calm. � Believe the child. � Allow the child to talk. � Show interest and concern. � Reassure and support the child. � Take action! Report within 24 hours.

Responding to Child Abuse If a child discloses: DON’T � Panic or overreact. � Press the child to talk. � Promise anything that you can’t control. � Confront the offender. � Blame or minimize the child’s feelings. � Overwhelm the child with questions.

Reasons to Believe Children When They Disclose Abuse It happens more often than we think. Kids have good reason to stay quiet. False reports are very uncommon. Your response matters.

Child Protect of Mercer County, Inc. New Children Served in 2018: 320 138 Boys (43%) 182 Girls (57%) 113 were age 0 to 6 (35%) 125 were age 7 to 12 (39%) 82 were age 13 to 18 (26%)

Types of Abuse Reported 2018 Sexual Abuse Physical Abuse Neglect/Drug Endangerment Witness to Violence/Crime Child Pornography/Bullying General Screening

2018 Offenders Data Stepparent Parent's Boy/Girlfriend Other Relative Other Known Person Parent 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160

Child Protect of Mercer County, Inc. What Does a Children’s Advocacy Center Do? � CACs stress coordination of investigation and intervention services by bringing together professionals and agencies (collectively referred to as the Multi-Disciplinary Investigative Team) to create a child-focused approach to child abuse cases. � The team’s goal is to ensure that children are not re -victimized by the very system designed to protect them.

Chi ld Pro t e c t ion For Inte ensic rvie wer t w La men ce for En The Model Pro C Missio n Purpos e Me di Vic t Ad im voc acy ealth tal H Men C A on i t u sec cal

Child Protect’s Facility

Child Protect’s Interview Room

A Child Friendly Environment

What Else Does Child Protect Do? FREE on-site therapy for children and their caregivers and adult survivors of childhood trauma FREE on-site forensic medical evaluations Mercer County SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) Program Coming Soon: Mercer County Family Visitation Center Starting Points Family Resource Center: � Food Pantry, Clothing Closet, Emergency and Basic Needs Assistance � Parent and Youth Support Groups, Parent Education � School-based child abuse prevention programs

CONTACT INFORMATION: Phone: 304 -425 -2710 Email: childprotect@frontiernet. net Website: www. mercerchildprotect. com 120 Shaker Lane Princeton, WV Visit us on Facebook! Battling Abuse. Restoring Lives. Since 2001.