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Serving Tennessee’s 4th Judicial District Cocke, Grainger,
Post Office Box 4536 • Phone: (865) 774-1777 Fax: (865) 774-8063 |
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
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What is
“child sexual abuse”? Child sexual abuse is the exploitation or coercion of a child. Child sexual abuse involves a continuum of behavior that ranges from verbal, non-physical abuse to forcible touching offenses. It can be a single encounter with an exhibitionist, to confusing occasional fondling by a casual acquaintance, to years of on-going abuse by a relative or family member, to rape and/or exploitation through prostitution and pornography. Who are the
offenders? Child sexual abusers are likely to be people we know and could even care about. Most child abusers tend to be fathers, step-parents, grandparents and other family members. Older children and peers also abuse children. Offenders can be neighbors, babysitters, ministers, teachers, coaches or anyone ever having contact with our children. Up to 80% of all cases include an offender the child knows or trusts. In approximately half of these cases, the trusted adult is a father or stepfather. What is
“child physical abuse”? Child physical abuse and neglect occur when a child’s physical health is harmed or threatened with harm by the acts or omissions of his or her parent(s) or caregiver(s). Harm refers to infliction of physical pain, resulting in injury, disfigurement or impairment of any bodily organ or death. Neglect, or “harm through omission”, refers to a failure to provide the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, education, supervision or healthcare, providing the parent or guardian is financially able to do so. Statistics · An estimated 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before age 18. · In 80% or more of child sexual abuse cases, the child is abused by someone he or she knows and trusts. · In approximately half of the cases in which the child knows the offender, the trusted adult is a father or step-father. · An estimated 9 out of 10 cases of child sexual abuse are never reported. · The average sexual abuse “incident” is not a one-time event. Rather, it is an on-going cycle of exploitation that lasts one or more years. · Sexual abuse of children occurs in every class, race, religion, and neighborhood, cultural and ethnic group. ·
The · Domestic violence is any physical or emotional behavior perpetrated by one person toward another to control the other person’s behavior, regardless of injury or frequency of incident. · Children in homes where domestic violence occurs are physically abused or neglected at a rate of 1500% higher than the national average. · Nationally, 75% of battered women say their children are also battered. · 53% of battering husbands also batter their children. Safe vs. unsafe
touching Child abuse is NOT the same as fond and playful ways of showing love. Hugs and kisses can be good - within limits. Here are some rules that parents can help their children learn about touching: · It is never okay for grownups or older kids to touch your private body parts - except to keep you healthy and clean. · If someone touches your private body parts and asks you to keep it a secret, tell someone about it right away. If the first person does not believe you, tell someone else. · Anytime you feel mixed up about a touch…tell the person to stop and talk to a grownup you trust. Repeat these rules to your child again and again. By teaching touching safety, you will NOT scare your child or make him or her afraid of good, healthy touching. You WILL be giving your child skills to stop unsafe touching. Children feel good knowing they can help themselves. How can I tell if a
child has been sexually abused? Children often do not tell about sexual abuse. Watch for these signs: · Sudden change in the way the child acts · Aggression or acting out · Seductive behavior with friends, babysitters or other adults · Fear of being alone with a certain person · Excessive play with his/her own private body parts · Change in how much the child eats (more or less) · Unhappiness and withdrawal · Bedwetting and nightmares · Too much crying Any one of the above does not necessarily mean sexual abuse has occurred. These are signs the child may have a problem that needs attention. There also may be physical signs: · Physical pain in the area of private body parts · Blood-stained underwear · Rectal bleeding If these signs appear, take you child to the doctor right away!!! How can I tell if a
child is being physically abuse or neglected? Physical abuse is most often indicated by obvious signs of physical injuries: Unexplained bruises
and welts: · On the face, lips and mouth · In various states of healing (bruises of different colors, for example, or old and new scars together) · On the large areas of the torso, back, buttocks, or thighs. · In clusters, forming regular patterns, or reflective of the articles used to inflict them (i.e. electrical cord, belt buckle, etc.). · On several different surface areas (indicating the child has been hit from different directions). · Appearing as identical marks on both sides of the body. Unexplained burns,
including: · Cigar or cigarette burns, especially on the soles of the feet, palms, back or buttocks. · Immersion or “wet” burns, including glove or sock-like burns and doughnut-shaped burns on the buttocks or genitals. · Patterned or “dry” burns, which show a clearly defined mark, left by the instrument used to inflict them (e.g. electrical burner). · Rope burns on the arms, legs, neck or torso. Unexplained
fractures · To the skull, nose or facial features. · In various stages of healing (indicating they occurred at different times). · Multiple of spiral fractures. · Swollen or tender limbs. · Any fracture in a child under the age of two. Unexplained
lacerations and abrasions, including: · To the mouth, lips, gums or eyes. · To the external genitalia. · On the backs of arms, legs and torso. Unexplained abdominal
injuries, including: · Swelling of the abdomen. · Localized tenderness. · Constant vomiting. · Human bite marks (especially when they appear adult size or are recurrent). · Bald spots and scalp bruising (can be caused by hair pulling). A physically abused
child may: · Be wary of physical contact with adults (avoid or shrink away from any adult’s touch). · Display extreme behavior (extreme aggressiveness or withdrawal). · Fear his or her parents. · Fear going home, or cry when it is time to leave a protected environment. · Report injuries. · Seem anxious to please and to let others say and do things to him/her without protest. · Frequently be late or absent from school. · Consistently arrive early to school or stay long after it is time to go home. · Wear extra clothing to conceal injuries. · Give unbelievable explanations for his or her injuries or claim no knowledge of the source of the injuries. · Seek more than an average amount of affection from other adults. · Exhibit habit disorders (i.e. sucking, rocking, biting or eating disorders). · Have lags in emotional and intellectual development. A physically abused
parent or caretaker may: · Use harsh discipline which does not fit the “offense” or the age of the child. · Complain that the child cries too much or “causes trouble”. · Be angry or defensive when asked about problems concerning the child or appear uninterested and unconcerned. · Offer illogical or unconvincing explanations for a child’s injuries. · Appear cold or unloving toward the child. · Misuse drugs or alcohol. · Believe harsh, physical discipline is the only way to control the child. Signs of Neglect Indicators of neglect are often there most of the time. Ask yourself these questions: Are the sign that you might interpret simply the expression of cultural differences, an alternative lifestyle, or are they actually true neglect? Neglect, or “harm through omission”, refers to a failure to supply the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, education, supervision or healthcare, providing the parent or guardian is financially able to do so. Examples of neglect include: · Lack of proper supervision · Lack of protection · Lack of adequate clothing · Lack of a safe place to live · Lack of educational opportunity · Lack of adequate medical and dental care · Lack of proper hygiene · Deprivation of sleep · Leaving a child locked in a closet · Driving with children while under the influence of drugs or alcohol · Failure to provide adequate nurturance, affirmation or emotional support Consequences of
child physical abuse and neglect Child abuse and neglect may permanently or seriously damage the physical, emotional and mental development of the child. The physical effects may include damage to: · brain · vital organs · eyes · ears · arms · legs These injuries may result in: · mental retardation · blindness · deafness · loss of limb · death Emotional damage is also serious. Abused children often display: · low self-concept · poor academic performance · impaired thought processes · poor language development · poor perceptual and motor skills · aggression · anxiety and self-destructiveness These characteristics may later lead to anti-social behavior, abuse of drugs or alcohol, suicide or prostitution. Make a tax-deductible donation safely & securely with PayPal (credit card, debit card or PayPal account accepted) Donations are deductible to the extent allowed by
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