ARIES Recognizing, Reporting and Prev Massachusetts Department of Social Services MASS KFM2967.C5 C55 2002 Child abuse hurts us all DATE DUE This item may be kept DAYS 14 IT MAY BE RENEWED ONLY ONCE T\l>U of Cor*t«*\ts 1. Understanding the Problem of Child Abuse and Neglect 3 2. Definitions and Explanations ofTerms Associated with Child Abuse and Neglect 4 3. Warning Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect 7 4. Understanding the Link Between DomesticViolence and Child Abuse 10 5. TheWork of the Department of Social Services 13 6. HowYou Can Help Keep Children Safe . 16 7. Assistance for Parents and Caretakers 17 8. Massachusetts General Law, Protecting Children 18 9. Resources 26 10. DSS Statistics and Organizational Structure 28 11. Suggestions for Further Reading on theTopic of Child Maltreatment 30 This document is a publication of the Massachusetts Department of Social Services Office of Public Affairs June 2002 Understanding the Problem of Child Abuse and Neglect Introduction There is no simple cause forchild maltreatment. Each case of child abuse or neglect should be Child abuse and neglect present a collective examined and treated independently. Many abusers concern to both adults and children. Children, the may not intend to hurt children. Often a lack of most vulnerable segment of our population, are understanding of children's basic needs can lead to those most directly affected by child abuse and frustration and anger, which, in turn, may lead to neglect.This is troubling because children also abuse or neglect. A lack of parenting skills can also represent our most valuable resource forthe future. contribute to child abuse or neglect. As such, we must act to protect them from harm and nurture theirdevelopment. Common reasons why children are abused or neglected: Although the direct results of child abuse and neglect are often easily recognizable, the long-term • Substance abuse- The most frequently reported consequences cannot always be immediately cause for the neglect and abuse of children is measured.The emotional impact on victims and the substance abuse. Although parents or caretakers' financial impact on society can ultimately become substance abuse does make it more difficult to staggering.While it is impossible to measure the address family problems, it should not mitigate amount of emotional pain and suffering children ourconcern forthe children involved.There is experience as a result of child abuse or neglect, also a strong link between substance abuse, Prevent Child Abuse America - a private child domestic violence. welfare organization - estimates the nationwide • Lack offamily support- Abusive parents and financial costs to be $94 Billion a year. caretakers may not have adequate support to Child abuse and neglect are often referred to jointly help them raise their children. If domestic as child maltreatment.This guidebook aims to help problems or life crises arise, it can be hard to create a better understanding of the problem of deal with daily pressures. child maltreatment.The contents include information, • Repeating the cycle- Parents and caretakers facts, terms and definitions on the subjects of who hurt their children may have been denied child abuse and neglect, aswell as the issues and emotional support or may have been abused concerns that surround child maltreatment. when they were young. It may be more likely Child abuse and neglect affect children of all ages, - thatthese individuals will abuse or neglect and boys and girls in almost equal numbers. It is theirchildren. important to understand that while child abuse is • Extreme expectations - Some parents and a high profile concern, and often cause for more immediate worry, neglect is the more common form caretakers expect children to fulfill theirneeds for love and acceptance, or may see children as of child maltreatment.The majority of those responsi- the answerto their personal problems. Children ble for child abuse or neglect are parents; however, cannot meet these needs. Children have more any adult who is considered a caretakerof a child, immediate and basic needs which must be met orwho is entrusted with the responsibility for a child's health orwelfare, may perpetrate child abuse by their parents and caretakers. If parents or caretakers are unable to put their children's needs or neglect. before theirown, neglect and abuse can result. CkilJ Atos< Hurts UfMvts Digitized by the Internet Archive 2015 in https://archive.org/details/childabusehurtsuOOmass Definitions and Explanations ofTerms Associated with Child Abuse and Neglect Child abuse can include physical, sexual or Shaken Baby Syndrome emotional injury to a child. Child neglect is a broader Infants, babies or small children who suffer injuries term, and one that is often misunderstood.The or death from severe shaking, jerking, pushing or following are the most common definitions related pulling may have been victims of Shaken Baby to child maltreatment, as defined by Massachusetts General Law (M.G.L.) and DSS Regulations (110 Syndrome.The act of shaking a baby is considered physical abuse, as spinal, head and neck injuries CMR), along with some basic explanations of often result from violently shaking young children. these terms. It has been estimated that 50 percent of children Abuse (defined by 110 CMR 2.00) who are victims of Shaken Baby Syndrome die from their injuries. The non-accidental commission of any act, by a Sexual Abuse caretaker, upon a child underage 18, which causes orcreates a substantial risk of physical oremotional Sexual Abuse occurs when an adult caretaker has injury, orconstitutes a sexual offense underthe any sexual contact with a child.This can happen laws of the Commonwealth, orany sexual contact through intercourse, which is considered rape under between a caretaker and a child underthe care of Massachusetts General Law. It includes any oral, that individual.This definition is not dependent upon genital or anal penetration. Sexual exploitation and location (i.e., abuse can occurwhile the child is in molestation are also considered abuse.These are an out-of-home or in-home setting). defined as contact or interaction with a child, that Abuse is any action thatcreates an injury or is used to satisfy an adult's sexual needs and a substantial risk of injury to a child. Abuse can desires.This includes any verbally enticing language, be physical, sexual or emotional. Physical abuse as well as fondling, masturbating or exposure of sexual organs by the adult. Sex between adults includes beating, shaking, kicking, burning or other types of bodily harm that can result in and children is neverconsidered consensual. bruises, fractured or broken bones, internal injuries ordeath. CUU B*Us Atus« Hurts