DREAMCATCHERS FOR ABUSED CHILDREN CHILD ABUSE HANDBOOK Compiled by: Donna Kshir & Sandra Potter
******************************************** Did You Know Child Abuse Facts Statistics Physical Abuse --Shaken Baby Sexual Abuse --Incest --Predators Verbal Abuse Child Neglect Effects Intervention Prevention Recovery P.T.S.D. Protection Getting Help Reporting Hotlines Resources Sources About the Authors Keynotes ******************************************** DID YOU KNOW?
*1 in every 3 girls will be sexually molested before the age of 18 *1 in every 6 boys will be sexually molested before the age of 18 *Every 10 SECONDS a child is raped or killed in the U.S. *Today up to 5 children will die from abuse or neglect *In 13 seconds, another child will be abused in the U.S *There were 2.9 million child abuse reports made in 1992 *ONLY 28% of the children identified as harmed by abuse are investigated *85% of the 1.2 - 1.5 million runaways are fleeing abuse at home *Today 6 children will commit suicide *Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death (ages 15-24) *Untreated child abuse increases the likelihood of arrest for a violent crime by 38 percent *60 MILLION survivors are former victims of child sexual abuse in America today *38% of women & 20% of men have been sexually abused during adolescence *It is estimated that 3%-6% of the clergy population has abused a child *The typical child sex offender molests an average of 117 children--most of whom do not report the offense Imagine the outcry if these statistics represented a disease, which was wiping out 5 children per day, victimizing millions, and who's by-products where disabilities and expanding violence. Youth rights are really about human rights, and simple empathy is a giant first step to the benefits of increased awareness. The high jump in child abuse statistics shows the importance of youth rights by showing cases of frightening lack of knowledge!
WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE? Child abuse is the physical, psychological or sexual maltreatment of children. While most child abuse happens in the child's home, a significant portion also occurs in organizations involving children, such as churches, schools, child care businesses, and residential schools. There are four
major categories of child abuse: neglect, physical abuse, psychological or emotional abuse and sexual abuse. There are different subcategories within each type of abuse. It's easy to identify some forms of child abuse, but difficult for other forms. The fact that a child experienced harm doesn't necessarily reveal abuse. Child abuse is an action or inaction that harms a child. The person responsible should have known their action or inaction was likely to cause harm. Well, that's a very legalistic point of view. Let me give you another one: Child abuse, from the standpoint of the victim, is anything that harms you! Child abuse happens in many different ways, but the result is the same- serious physical or emotional harm. Physical or sexual abuse may be the most striking types of abuse, since they often unfortunately leave physical evidence behind. However, emotional abuse and neglect are serious types of child abuse that are often more subtle and difficult to spot. Child neglect is the most common type of child abuse. Each State provides its own definitions of child abuse and neglect based on minimum standards set by Federal law. How Is Child Abuse and Neglect Defined in Federal Law? Federal legislation lays the groundwork for States by identifying a minimum set of acts or behaviors that define child abuse and neglect. Most Federal and State child protection laws primarily refer to cases of harm to a child caused by parents or other caregivers; they generally do not include harm caused by other people, such as acquaintances or strangers. The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), (42 U.S.C.A. ยง5106g) defines child abuse and neglect as, at minimum: * Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or * An act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.
CHILD ABUSE FACTS--United States: *The safest family for a child is a home in which the biological parents are married. *Co-habitation, an increasing phenomenon, is a major factor in child abuse. *The incidence of child abuse decreases significantly as family income increases. *Child abuse frequently is inter generational. *Child abuse is prevalent in "communities of abuse" with family breakdown. *Child abuse is directly associated with serious violent crime. *The lowest risk for physical abuse is one in which the biological parents are married and family has always been intact. *Abuse is 6x's higher in the second-safest environment: the blended family in which the divorced mother has remarried. *Abuse is 14x's higher if the child is living with a biological mother who lives alone. *Abuse is 20x's higher if the child is living with a biological father who lives alone. *Abuse is 20x's higher if the child is with biological parents who are not married but are cohabiting. *Abuse is 33x's higher if the child is living with a mother who is living with a man. * 1,500 children die from abuse each year. *There are 140,000 injuries to children from abuse each year. *There are 1.7 million reports of child abuse each year. * 1 in 4 women in North America were molested in childhood. *2 million+ cases of child abuse and neglect are reported each year in the U.S. *An estimated 150,000 to 200,000 new cases of sexual abuse occur each year. *There were an estimated 903,000 victims of maltreatment nationwide. *An estimated 1,100 children died of abuse and neglect, a rate of approximately 1.6 *1 in 7 males will have been sexually molested before the age of 18. *10 deaths per 100,000 children per year in the general populations. *Each day in the U.S. more than 3 children die as a result of child abuse in the home. *Child abuse is reported on average every 10 seconds. *Approximately 3 MILLION child abuse reports are made each year.
*only two-thirds of the reported cases were investigated. *An estimated 903,000 victims were substantiated by child protective services agencies in 1998. *Convicted rape and sexual assault offenders report that 2/3 of their victims were under the age of 18. *Rape victims less than 12 years of age, 90% of the children knew the offender, according to police reports. *Frequently, the person who sexually molests a child is also a child themselves. WORLDWIDE STATISTICS: Some Worldwide Child Abuse Statistics *Worldwide, approximately 40 million children are subjected to child abuse each year (WHO, 20014). * Suicide is the third leading cause of death in adolescents around the world (WHO, 20025). * One study revealed that about 30% of all severely disabled children relegated to special homes in the Ukraine died before they reached 18 years of age (Human Rights Watch, 20016). *UNICEF estimates that two million children died as a result of armed conflict during a recent 10-year period, and that another six million were injured or disabled (Human Right Watch, 20017). *In Canada, U.S. and Mexico, over 6.5 million children annually are exposed to sexual materials on the Internet; 1.7 million of these report distress overexposure to these materials (Estes & Weiner, 20018). *Each year, approximately one million more children around the world are introduced into commercial sexual exploitation (Casa Alianza, 20019). *Sexual abuse statistics vary between countries and reports, but are consistently alarming: One country's research indicates that up to 36% of girls and 29% of boys have suffered child sexual abuse; another study reveals up to 46% of girls and 20% of boys have experienced sexual coercion (The 57th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights10).
SIGNS OF PHYSICAL CHILD ABUSE:
* Unexplained bruises * Self-destructive behaviors * Welts, human bite marks, bald spots * Unexplained burns, especially cigarette burns * Unexplained fractures, injuries or abrasions * Nervous, hyperactive, aggressive, disruptive and destructive behaviors * Unusually wary of physical contact * Unduly frightened of parent or caretaker * Expresses little or no emotion when hurt * Unduly shy, withdrawn and passive Signs of physical abuse #1: BRUISING Bruising is the most common of abuse injuries. There are four factors to take into account when determining whether or not the bruising is suspicious: location, size, color and frequency. Location Normal bruising can be found on the knees, shins, elbows, and the forehead. Toddlers are especially vulnerable to forehead bruising, as they frequently bump into furniture, counters, anything that is at their head level. But the size of the bruise(s), the color, and the frequency in which bruising occurs can turn even normal bruising into suspicious bruising. Suspicious bruising can be found on the face, head, chest, back, arms, genitalia, thighs, back of the legs, and buttocks. Size The size of the bruise(s) can tell us what object or body part the child was struck and/or harmed with. See under Beatings and Choking for more details on size of bruising. Color: The color of the bruise(s) can tell us how fresh the bruise is and the force with which the child was struck. With Caucasian people, a bruise takes on a red, purple, black or blue appearance when it first
appears, depending on the force of the blow. As the bruise heals it will turn green, and then become jaundice yellow before fading away completely. Though it seems obvious, I'll say it anyway: these changes in color will be difficult to see in dark-skinned children. Just remember that bruising is only one sign; keep reading for other signs. Frequency: The more frequent the bruising incidents occur, the more likelihood of physical child abuse. The child may have a legitimate reason for the bruising, but if there are too many incidences, then the red flags of suspicion should go up. Signs of physical abuse #2: BEATINGS The pattern of bruising and/or abrasions will resemble the shape of the object or body part used. The most common are belts, sticks, bats, bottles, and fists), but children are frequently attacked with firearms and knives. If a belt is used, there will be red welts that are the width of the belt. There may also be bruising, and/or bleeding. The length of the welt depends on how much of the belt came in contact with the skin. Typically, caregivers who use a belt will strike the buttocks, the back, and the backs of the legs. If a child is beaten with a fist, the shape of the bruise(s) can be that of a whole fist, or the bruising can show up as a cluster of lines (the imprint of the fingers of the fist). If the knuckles were used, bruising will be a line of roundish discolorations that are somewhere between the size of a dime and a quarter, depending on the size of the fist. Caregivers who use their fists
generally give blows to the face, head, chest, stomach, and arms. Injuries are often to the face and head: black eyes, bloody and/ or broken nose, fat and split lips, swelling of the eyes, cheeks or jaw, bruising and abrasions to the side of the head. Broken ribs and internal injuries can also result with severe blows to the chest and stomach. Signs of physical abuse #3: BURNING Burning is the third most frequent cause of death in children from 1 - 14 years of age, and the fourth most frequent in children under one year of age. 70 - 90% of childhood burns occur in the home during the winter months, early morning and late afternoons being the most vulnerable times. There are several kinds of burns: chemical, cigarette, electrical, heat, and water burns. Each presents their own unique signs of physical abuse. With chemical burns on the skin's surface, depending on the chemical used, there can be a rash, blistering, and/or open sores that are pushing and/or bleeding. When caustic substances such as lye or acid are thrown, they are typically aimed at the child's face. If a child is forced to ingest chemicals, there will likely be nausea, vomiting, cramping, chest and abdominal pain, distention, and possibly unconsciousness. Cigarette burns will be the size and shape of the cigarette tip. Typically, caregivers who burn children/youth with cigarettes do so on the backs of the arms, the buttocks, and the backs of the legs. Electrical burns appear as black marks at the site of the burn, and can extend beyond, depending on the electrical appliance used, and the volts of electricity the child is exposed to. Size and shape are also determined by these latter two factors.
Heat burns such as that from a flame and/or flammable liquid can encompass any part of the body. If clothing is ignited, the whole body can be burned. Victims of this type of burning are often older children. It is important to note here that not all water burns constitute signs of physical abuse. Accidental water burns generally appear as a splatter of splash burns. With non-accidental water burns, excessive splash marks will appear above the site of the primary impact, on body parts where accidental burning is unlikely. A child who is held under flowing hot water or immersed in scalding water will learn that the pain is lessened if they keep perfectly still. What results is what the medical profession calls the red sock or red glove. There will be a clear margin of bright red skin starting where the water line was and continue to all parts of the body that were immersed. Typically, the buttocks, legs, feet, and hands. Eventually, there will be peeling of skin layers.
Signs of physical abuse #4: CHOKING AND HANGING With these signs of physical abuse, a child who is choked will have bruising around the front and back of the neck that will resemble the fingers and thumb of the caregiver doing the choking. The bruising can also take the shape of a red band, depending on the pressure used, the length of time the pressure was exerted, and how much of the hand came in contact with the skin. If the caregiver is facing the child, the bruises at the front of the neck will be two thumb imprints, while the bruising at the back of the neck will be a tier of finger marks. This will be reversed (finger marks at the front, thumb marks at the back of the neck) if the caregiver is behind the child when doing the choking.
Bruising and possibly 'rope burns' around the neck will be evident when a child is hanged. The bruising will take on the imprint of the rope or material used to hang the child. With these two signs of physical abuse, the child may be hoarse and/or have a cough, especially immediately and shortly after the choking or hanging incident. Damage to the larynx can occur in more severe cases. In extreme incidences', the neck may be broken.
Signs of physical abuse #5: SMOTHERING AND DROWNING During smothering, a child's breathing may be compromised, but other than this immediate effect, there may not be any noticeable physical abuse evidence. There can be bruising around the face, especially the nose and eyes, and upper chest area, depending on the item used to do the smothering, and the force exerted to asphyxiate the child. With drowning, there may be hand or finger bruising at the back or side of the neck, or at the shoulders where the child was held under water with force. The child's breathing may be jeopardized on a more long-term basis when these two signs of physical abuse are done regularly. If the child's breathing is raspy or the child has difficulty catching his/her breath, this may be a sign of smothering or drowning.
Signs of physical abuse #6: POISONING Poisoning may be difficult to detect because quantity is what determines the ill effects. Children can be poisoned with drugs, dish liquid, gas (i.e., combination of ammonia and bleach), and other noxious
substances. A child who has been poisoned may suffer from nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, lethargy, sleepiness, light-headiness, dizziness, and, in more severe cases, unconsciousness. When noxious substances are force-fed to a child, depending on the substance, signs of physical abuse are: redness, chemical burns or bleeding in and around the mouth. If a child is forced to ingest dish liquid, the child will not be able to control his/her bowels, and a rash may be present around the mouth and lips.
Signs of physical abuse #7: HAIR-PULLING Thinning hair and bald patches on the scalp may be present with severe hairpulling. The child may experience headaches, and may also exhibit neck pain if the hair-pulling incidents are accompanied with jerking or snapping of the child's head. Signs of physical abuse #8: Pushed from Heights Bruising and broken bones are the most common abuse injuries when a child is pushed from heights. If a child is pushed down a flight of stairs, bruising may be present anywhere and everywhere on the child's body.
SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME: SBS/AHT (shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma) is a term used to describe the constellation of signs and symptoms resulting from violent shaking or shaking and impacting of the head of an infant or small child. In any abusive head trauma case, the duration and force of the shaking,
the number of episodes, and whether impact is involved all affect the severity of the infant's injuries. In the most violent cases, children may arrive at the emergency room unconscious, suffering seizures, or in shock. But in many cases, infants may never be brought to medical attention if they don't exhibit such severe symptoms. AHT (Abusive Head Trauma) can be caused by direct blows to the head, dropping or throwing a child, or shaking a child. Head trauma is the leading cause of death in child abuse cases in the United States. Approximately 60% of identified victims of shaking injury are male, and children of families who live at or below the poverty level are at an increased risk for these injuries as well as any type of child abuse. It is estimated that the perpetrators in 65% to 90% of cases are males — usually either the baby's father or the mother's boyfriend, often someone in his early twenties. When someone forcefully shakes a baby, the child's head rotates about the neck uncontrollably because infants' neck muscles aren't well developed and provide little support for their heads. This violent movement pitches the infant's brain back and forth within the skull, sometimes rupturing blood vessels and nerves throughout the brain and tearing the brain tissue. The brain may strike the inside of the skull, causing bruising and bleeding to the brain. The damage can be even greater when a shaking episode ends with an impact (hitting a wall or a crib mattress, for example), because the forces of acceleration and deceleration associated with an impact are so strong. After the shaking, swelling in the brain can cause enormous pressure within the skull, compressing blood vessels and increasing overall injury to its delicate structure. In less severe cases, a child who has been shaken may experience:
* lethargy * irritability * vomiting * poor sucking or swallowing * decreased appetite * lack of smiling or vocalizing * rigidity * seizures * difficulty breathing * altered consciousness * unequal pupil size * an inability to lift the head * an inability to focus the eyes or track movement
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE: DEFINITIONS: Most professionals are fairly certain they know what child sexual abuse is, and there is a fair amount of agreement about this. For example, today very few people would question the inclusion of sexual acts that do not involve penetration. Despite this level of consensus, it is important to define what sexual abuse is because there are variations in definitions across professional disciplines. Child sexual abuse can be defined from legal and clinical perspectives. Both are important for appropriate and effective intervention. There is considerable overlap between these two types of definitions. Statutory Definitions: There are two types of statutes in which definitions of sexual abuse can be found – child protection (civil) and criminal. The purposes of these laws differ. Child protection statutes are concerned with
sexual abuse as a condition from which children need to be protected. Thus, these laws include child sexual abuse as one of the forms of maltreatment that must be reported by designated professionals and investigated by child protection agencies. Courts may remove children from their homes in order to protect them from sexual abuse. Generally, child protection statutes apply only to situations in which offenders are the children's caretakers. Criminal statutes prohibit certain sexual acts and specify the penalties. Generally, these laws include child sexual abuse as one of several sex crimes. Criminal statutes prohibit sex with a child, regardless of the adult's relationship to the child, although incest may be dealt with in a separate statute. Definitions in child protection statutes are quite brief and often refer to State criminal laws for more elaborate definitions. In contrast, criminal statutes are frequently quite lengthy. CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE SIGNS & SYMPTOMS: **Physical trauma such as redness, rashes, and/or bleeding to oral, genital and/or anal areas **Bruises on breasts, buttocks, lower abdomen, thighs, genital and/or rectal areas** **Complaints of pain or itching in genital or anal areas** **Difficulty walking or sitting **Unusual or offensive body odors **Difficulty in bladder or bowel control **Constipation **Pain or discomfort on urination **Blood in urine **Abnormal dilation of vaginal or rectal openings **Foreign bodies in vaginal, rectal or urethral openings **Sexually transmitted diseases found vaginally, rectally or orally **Yeast or bacterial infections
**Frequent sore throats; difficulty swallowing; choking **Ear infections/problems **Sudden weight gain or extreme weight loss **Severe psychosomatic complaints such as stomach-aches and headaches **Engages in sexual activity that is not appropriate for the child's age **Suffers sleep disturbances or nightmares **Has pain, itching, bruising or bleeding in the genitalia **Had venereal disease **Has frequent urinary tract or yeast infections **Has a detailed and sophisticated understanding of sexual behaviors **Goes back to behaviors such as bed-wetting, speech loss Sexually abused older children may: **Exhibit delinquent or aggressive behavior **Show signs of depression **Display injuries behaviors such as substance abuse, self-mutilation, attempts at suicide, prostitution and running away
FAMILY INCEST: Incest refers to sexual acts between relatives. The type of incest that people are most worried about is parent-child incest. Sexual contact between an adult and a child is never all right for any reason. Even if the incest occurs when the child is legally an adult, it is very harmful. Incest between other adult family members and children or teens is also very hurtful. Any abuse of this kind, even if only suspected, should be reported. Incest between those who are similar in age may be less damaging, but still harmful. Brother-sister incest, for example, often leaves children or teens feeling guilty once they realize it is not normal in society. In
addition, the dual roles are confusing. A girl may feel that she can break up with a boyfriend, but how can she break up with a brother? Signs of incest may include: * having vaginal or rectal bleeding, pain, itching, swelling or discharge * having trouble walking or sitting * being depressed or withdrawing from friends or family * being very secretive * either avoiding or being unusually interested in things of a sexual nature, acting sexual, or drawing sexual themes * having sleep problems or nightmares * having stomach pain, bed-wetting, urinary tract infection, or a sexually transmitted disease. * refusing to go to school * saying that their bodies are dirty or damaged, or being afraid that there is something wrong with them in the genital area * trying to run away * trying to commit suicide. SEXUAL PREDATORS: As a parent, there is probably no limit to the extent you're willing to go to protect your child. The worrying began about 9 months before their birth and won't end until your death. One of the biggest areas of concern is safety from sexual predators. How do you know who the known predators are, how to identify a molester, or worse, if your child is being molested, and how to report suspected abuse? Registered Sex Offenders: Now it's possible to go one place in the USA to get a list of registered offenders in your area. You no longer need to try to sort through private databases or pay some online child security service to do this for you, but the list is only as current as the Governments have, it's not complete. What you need to understand is, it is only a list of people known to have offended in the past. Any
sexual predators who have not been caught are not on the list. Plus, those on the list may not be active any more, for a number of reasons. Here is the location of the National Sex Offender Public Website where you can find out who are the registered sex offenders in your area: (www.nsopw.gov). Knowing who is in your area may help you guard against those people but there is still much work to do to protect your child from molestation. One way is to learn to spot suspicious people where your child goes....Educate yourself--Learn the signs. Profile Of A Child Molester: Profile is a much abused word, but still the best one to describe someone who would possibly molest a child. Contrary to popular belief, this has more to do with behavior than looks. A pedophile will frequent places children gather...at church, school, playground and the internet. Sometimes you'll spot suspicious behavior, like stalking, treats or the "Help me find my dog" routine, but usually, they won't be doing that where adults can see. This is key! You want to protect your child from pedophiles? Make sure your child is always where adults can see. When it isn't you, make sure the adult who is watching is dedicated and trustworthy. Pay attention for strangers and people without children at schools and playgrounds. If you see a stranger, watch the behavior. If it seems suspicious, get a friend and confront the stranger (politely). Most likely, it's nothing, so don't worry. If it's something, both you and your friend should be able to sense that and take appropriate action. A quick note about churches, clubs, etc. Make sure they interview and fingerprint screen every volunteer who works with kids...even the ministers. It's a shame we have to be suspicious of people volunteering to work with kids, but pedophiles love to volunteer. Even with all these cautions, someone could get through, making it important to know early, if something is going on.
Signs Of Child Molestation: Talk about something no parent wants to see! There's no way to be sure, even if they can tell you something's happening. One friend of mine found out at church that her husband was molesting her daughter. ..a very unpleasant, but fortunate coincidence. Fortunate, because it forced the truth to come out and the molestation to be stopped. The most useful methods I've found to determine the likelihood of molestation are the Signs Of Child Molestation provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Unfortunately, unless your child confirms your suspicions, you'll still be left doubting. If there are physical signs and the child is too young to accurately describe the cause, a trip to the doctor may help. In any event, if you still strongly suspect molestation, it's better to report your suspicions than to assume nothing's happening. How To Report Suspected Child Predators: If you can't confirm something has actually happened, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network may be able to help you figure it out. They also have a crisis line at 1.800.656.HOPE to help you if you've been sexually assaulted. The bottom line is, if you have strong suspicions your child is being molested you need to report it to your local police or child services. If you see someone engaging in suspicious behavior around the children in your neighborhood, local park, etc. report it and let the authorities figure it out. I'm sure they don't mind a few false alarms for every kid they can save. The police might even give you some free training as a result. So, your child's safety isn't assured through the sexual predators database, but it can help as part of a complete strategy. That strategy should also include knowing the profile of a child molester, the signs of molestation and how to report suspected molestation and suspicious people. Doesn't assure your child will be safe. The only assurance we have that, our
children will be safe is from God.
VERBAL/EMOTIONAL ABUSE SIGNS: Emotional Abuse The National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect defines emotional abuse as: "acts or omissions by the parents or other caregivers that have caused, or could cause, serious behavioral, cognitive, emotional, or mental disorders. In some cases of emotional abuse, the acts of parents or other caregivers alone, without any harm evident in the child's behavior or condition, are sufficient to warrant child protective services (CPS) intervention. For example, the parents/caregivers may use extreme or bizarre forms of punishment, such as confinement of a child in a dark closet. Less severe acts, such as habitual scapegoating, belittling, or rejecting treatment, are often difficult to prove and, therefore, CPS may not be able to intervene without evidence of harm to the child." The American Medical Association AMA describes Emotional Abuse as: "when a child is regularly threatened, yelled at, humiliated, ignored, blamed or otherwise emotionally mistreated. For example, making fun of a child, calling a child names, and always finding fault are forms of emotional abuse." Emotional abuse is more than just verbal abuse. It is an attack on a child's emotional and social development, and is a basic threat to healthy human development. Emotional abuse can take many forms: **Belittling **Coldness **Corrupting **Cruelty **Extreme Inconsistency
**Harassment **Ignoring **Inappropriate Control **Isolating **Rejecting Emotional abuse can, and does, happen in all types of families, regardless of their background. Most parents want the best for their children. However, some parents may emotionally and psychologically harm their children because of stress, poor parenting skills, social isolation, lack of available resources or inappropriate expectations of their children. They may emotionally abuse their children because the parents or caregivers were emotionally abused themselves as children. BOYS (Emotional Abuse Signs) Aggression Temper tantrums Fights with peers and siblings Bullying tactics Frustrates easily Disobedience Lying and cheating Destructive behaviors Impulsive behaviors Argumentative Loud Tease excessively Worry excessively Withdrawn Speech disorders Delayed physical or emotional development Ulcers, asthma, severe allergies Habit disorders, sucking, rocking Unduly passive and undemanding Very low self esteem Extremely demanding, aggressive and angry
Antisocial, destructive Depressed and/or suicidal Attention seeking Delinquent behavior, especially in adolescents GIRLS (Emotional Abuse Signs) withdrawn passive approval-seeking compliant frustrates easily infinite patience clinging to adults overly dependent stubborn tease excessively worry excessively somatic complaints
TYPES OF NEGLECT: The definitions of neglect include physical neglect, child abandonment and expulsion, medical neglect, inadequate supervision, emotional neglect and educational neglect by parents, parent substitutes, and other adult caretakers of children. Neglect Signs: * Abandonment by parent or caregiver * Unattended medical needs * Consistent lack of supervision * Consistent hunger, poorly dressed, poor hygiene * Lice, distended stomach * Poor social skills * Indiscriminate with his or her affection * Pale, listless
* Begs or steals food * Frequently absent from school * Falls asleep in class, displays fatigue * Self-destructive Child Physical Neglect: Refusal of Health Care: Failure to provide or allow needed care in accord with recommendations Failure or delay to seek timely and appropriate medical care for a serious health problem Abandonment or Desertion of a child without arranging for reasonable care and supervision Expulsion or blatant refusals of custody, such as permanent or indefinite expulsion of a child from the home or refusal to accept custody of a returned runaway. Other Custody Issues: Custody-related forms of inattention to the child's needs other than those covered by abandonment or expulsion. (For example, repeated shuttling of a child from one household to another due to apparent unwillingness to maintain custody, or chronically and repeatedly leaving a child with others for days/weeks at a time.) Other Neglect: Conspicuous inattention to avoidable hazards in the home Inadequate nutrition, clothing, or hygiene Any other forms of reckless disregard of the child's safety and welfare (Such as driving with the child while intoxicated or leaving a child unattended in a vehicle.
CHILD ABUSE EFFECTS: The effects of child abuse are largely related to the extent of the abuse. If you're reading this, it's likely you're concerned about the more extensive abuses. Even the milder-seeming types of neglect and emotional abuse can have serious effects on you. The abuse seems like normal
family life which you will try to duplicate when you start a family. Obviously, all forms of abuse have serious effects on your idea of who you are, how you perform in school, on the job, how you make and keep friends, who you choose for friends, and how you treat your own spouse and children. Though it probably isn't even a majority, many abused children grow up to abuse their children. Abused children tend do more poorly in school, have a much higher delinquency and drop out rate, tend towards torturing animals...even other children, tend to be reclusive and anti-social. Severe abuse leaves severe, invisible, emotional scars that, unless dealt with, can cripple important areas of your life. This is why, if you have been abused, or if you are helping an abused child, you must get professional help to begin to heal and recover a normal, happy life. Physical child abuse effects vary from child to child, depending on six factors: » severity of the physical abuse » frequency of the physical abuse » age of the child when physical abuse began » child's relationship to the abuser » availability of support persons » child's ability to cope Molested children suffer many losses, including: » self-esteem and self-worth » trust » childhood, including the opportunity to play and learn » the opportunity for normal growth and development » intimacy » control over his/her body » normal loving and nurturing » safety and security
INTERVENTION: Child abuse intervention (a report of abuse and neglect to the proper authorities) may be done by telephone, by letter, by e-mail or in person. A report can be made anonymously, but divulging who you are and the relationship you have with the child will aid in the investigation. Child abuse intervention refers to handling disclosures of abuse. Disclosures can be purposeful (verbal) or accidental (non-verbal). Purposeful disclosures occur when the child or youth consciously decides to discuss his or her abuse. See table below for top reasons why youth disclose: Why A Child DOES Discloses Abuse: 76% I told because I couldn't hold it in any longer. 56% I told because I wanted it to stop so my life could go on. 56% I told because I wanted him/her to be punished. 53% I finally felt comfortable enough to tell. 50% I was afraid someone else would get hurt if I didn't talk. 48% I was afraid I'd get hurt if I didn't tell. 41% I told because I couldn't sleep/ eat/ think anymore. 41% I got tired of the unwanted sexual experiences. 40% Someone else convinced me to tell. 35% Someone else told me about their unwanted experiences. 31% I was pregnant or afraid I might be. 28% Due to a school program about unwanted sex experiences. 22% I told because I didn't want to go home. Why A Youth DOESN'T Disclose Abuse: 74% I was scared. 60% I was embarrassed. 55% I didn't want to get into trouble. 47% I didn't want anyone else to get into trouble. 46% No one would believe me. 29% I still like/love the other person. 29% I was my fault as much as the other person's.
When a report of abuse and neglect is made, child abuse intervention dictates that the person or organization making the report must act in a way that: » protects the child or youth » protects other children/youth who may be involved » respects the rights of alleged abuser; keeps information confidential » cooperates with Child Protection Agencies and possibly police You may report suspected child abuse to: 1. Child Protection Agencies 2. Local Law Enforcement/Police Station 3. National Child Abuse Hotlines Child abuse intervention is everyone's responsibility, ethically, morally, and legally....Stop further child abuse by reporting it!
PREVENTION: Teach your children the difference between acceptable and unacceptable touching, and to trust their instincts about people. Educate yourself about the signs of abuse so you'll be able to detect it. 1. Understand that "child abuse" means any kind of harm done to a child and does not just mean sexual abuse. 2. Teach your children that there is a difference between "good" and "bad" touches. Explain what these are. 3. Explain that no one has the right to hurt your child or touch him or her in private areas or touch in anyway that makes him or her feel uncomfortable. 4. Tell your children that the words they need to remember are No, Go, Yell, Tell. If anyone touches them in a way they don't like or tries to get them to go with a stranger, or person they don't feel comfortable with, they should always say "No!" and ... 5. Go away from the person or situation as quickly as possible. 6. Use their danger voice to yell. A danger voice is a very loud, low-pitched yell, that gets attention immediately. It is not a high-pitched screech. It should never be
used in any other situation. 7. Tell a parent, teacher or caregiver immediately about what happened. 8. Help your children understand that they need to be wary not just of the traditional idea of "strangers", but of anyone who makes them feel uncomfortable, even if it is someone they know. 9. Talk to your children about situations they must avoid, like taking any food or medicine from a person who is not a parent, teacher, caregiver or close friend. Help them understand how to identify a police officer. Take them to the local police station and let them see what a uniform looks like and what a badge looks like. 10. Show your children how to make a collect call to home and how to call 911. 11. Learn what the signs of abuse are so that you will notice if something is going on with your child. Look for bruises, burns, bloody or missing underwear, difficulty with bowel movements or urination, problems with walking or sitting, behavior problems, inappropriate sexual behavior, sore genitals or anything that just makes you feel there is something amiss. 12. Get help from the police, social services department or through a child abuse hotline if you suspect there is a problem. Resources on child abuse prevention, protecting children from risk of abuse, and strengthening families. Includes information on supporting families, protective factors, public awareness, community activities, positive parenting, prevention programs, and more. Understanding child abuse prevention and what to do when children are at risk. Includes frequently asked questions and links to related Federal and national organizations and State contacts that work to prevent child abuse. Strengthening families: Enhance protective factors in families---Educate yourself....Learn the signs of child abuse & neglect. Public awareness & creating supportive communities: Assist your community with child abuse awareness techniques and build
community support. Prevention programs: Research prevention programs and resources for specific types of programs. Developing & sustaining prevention programs: Consider managing a prevention program, including community needs assessments, collaborating with community partners, family engagement and retention, cultural competence, training, and funding. Evaluating prevention programs: Evaluating program effectiveness and performing cost analyses for your community.
STAGES OF RECOVERY & HEALING: Denial: It is not unusual for people to be trapped in this stage for many years after the physical nature of the abuse has ended. Many survivors develop addictive or compulsive behaviors while attempting to mask the feelings and emotions connected to child sexual abuse. Those who remain in denial about the definition of sexual child abuse, the truth about the most frequent sexual child abuse offender are part of the reason sex offenders have the opportunity to abuse children. We are responsible...“Those who ignore the past are condemned to repeat it.� Confused awareness: At this stage, people begin to recognize the connection between their past trauma and present concerns. This new awareness may introduce feelings of anxiety, panic and fear. This can lead to a diagnosis of POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER. Post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to one or more terrifying events that threatened or
caused grave physical harm. Reaching out: Survivors can be in a situation in which the perils of silence become more painful than the risk involved in speaking out. The healing process begins when we realize that we need help. This is the most important step in healing. Receiving individual counseling and/or joining support groups may play a role in the healing process. Anger: After they reach out and become more aware of the impacts of the abuse, survivors often deal with intensified anger. This anger is an expected, natural part of the healing process. Thoughts of disclosure and confrontations may dominate this stage. Anger may be channeled towards anyone who excused or protected the abuser, anyone who did not believe their disclosure of the abuse, and anyone they feel should have been concerned but never took steps to help. Depression: At this stage, adult survivors may recall the negative messages or criticisms that they received from their abuser as a child. If these seem valid to the adult survivor, they may cause him or her to become depressed when faced with and unable to make positive changes. If symptoms and triggers of their depression are identified and an appropriate support team is found, the chances of their being overwhelmed with feelings of despair may be minimized. Clarity of feelings and emotions: For adult survivors of child sexual abuse, a key component to healing is to express and share their feelings. This can be achieved by survivors' learning to acknowledge and identify a wide variety of feelings and
emotions, as well as finding ways to release them without hurting themselves or others. A good support team can be extremely valuable at this time. Regrouping: This phase involves many positive changes in survivors' attitudes and feelings. In this stage, they develop a new sense of trust in others but, most importantly, they start to trust themselves. This phase includes learning from the past, examining the present, and planning for the future. Many survivors have suggested that this stage represents a transition from merely existing to actively living. Moving on: This stage includes a shift in focus from the negative experiences of the past to positive plans for the future. Painful feelings and emotions do not dominate memories from the past. Positive coping skills developed in earlier stages are enhanced and assist survivors in moving on with their lives. Several coping skills that can help survivors to move on include learning to love and accept themselves, recognizing and celebrating personal growth, creating a healthy support team, grieving current losses as they occur, learning to deal with stress effectively, and recognizing when it is time to let go of painful feelings connected to the past.
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety disorder that's triggered by a traumatic event. You can develop post-traumatic stress disorder when you experience or witness an event that causes intense fear, helplessness or horror. Signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder typically begin within three months of a traumatic event such as war-
combat-military, terror attacks, natural disasters, serious car accidents, rape, child abuse, or physical, sexual or mental abuse. Post traumatic stress is a natural human reaction to extreme stress. A traumatic event is a shock to the whole body/mind system which can overwhelm the mind's processing system, leaving the symptoms unresolved and as if they are fixed in time. It can be very incapacitating and distressing. Developing symptoms of PTSD can happen to anyone, but fortunately there are very effective treatments available now which enable the mind's natural healing processing of the event to take place and then eliminate the symptoms, usually completely. PTSD makes you feel stressed and afraid. It affects your life and the people around you. Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms have three categories: intrusive memories, avoidance and numbing, and increased anxiety or emotional arousal. SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE: * Flashbacks * Trouble sleeping or nightmares * Feeling alone * Angry outbursts * Feeling worried, guilty or sad * Upsetting dreams about the traumatic event * Avoiding thinking or talking about the event * Feeling emotionally numb * Avoiding activities you once enjoyed * Hopelessness about the future * Memory problems * Trouble concentrating * Difficulty maintaining close relationships * Irritability or anger * Overwhelming guilt or shame
* Self-destructive behavior * Being easily startled or frightened * Hearing or seeing things that aren't there Other PTSD symptoms may include: * Drinking or drug problems * Feelings of hopelessness, shame, or despair * Employment problems * Relationships problems including divorce and violence * Physical symptoms * Suicidal Tendencies.
PROTECTION: Don't just worry about your children. Arm them with information... There are steps that every parent can take to keep her child safe: * Listen to your child. Child abusers often use a legitimate activity to trick the child into performing a sex act. * Be aware that sex abusers carefully choose their victims. They often look for a needy child or a troublemaker who is easily discredited if he or she says anything. * At the doctor's office, insist that another adult (you or a nurse) remain with your child in the exam room at all times. * Encourage your child to inform you of any person or any situation that makes her feel uncomfortable. * Explain to your child to never be alone with anyone they do not know, are not comfortable with or who hurts them. * Tell them it's OKAY TO TELL---instruct them to tell an adult they trust and tell them what is happening. * Check the National Child Abuse Sex Offender Registries (Family WatchDog is also a wonderful tool for any parent to use) * Know who your child is with at all times and where your child is. * Be familiar with who your child is hanging out with--friends, coaches, teachers, music/band/sport intructors, church members, etc. * Monitor your child's internet use.
* Educate your child--Make sure they are familiar with Stranger Danger & Sexual Predators. * Monitor the actions of adults around all children---Always trust your gut instinct. If you suspect sexual or physical abuse, chances are you are right. * Always report any suspected abuse of a child---It could just save a child's life!
GET HELP NOW: The Child Help National Child Abuse Hot line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Every day in the United States thousands of kids are abused. That adds up to millions of kids each year. Often children and teens are abused by the people who are closest to them like family, friends, sitters, neighbors and sometimes even teachers and coaches. These are the very people that children should feel the safest with. Where to call to get help or report abuse now: *If you suspect a child is in immediate danger contact law enforcement as soon as possible. *To get help in the U.S., call: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) – Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline *To get help for child sexual abuse, call: 1-888-PREVENT (1-888-773-8368) – Stop It Now 1-800-656-HOPE Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE HOT LINE NUMBERS: National Domestic Violence Hot line 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) 1-800-787-3224 (TDD)
Family Violence Prevention Fund Phone: 415-252-8900 National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Phone: 202-745-1211 National Battered Women's Law Project Phone: 212-741-9480 Victim Services Domestic Violence Shelter Tour Phone: 212-577-7700 24-hour hot line: 800-621-HOPE (4673) National Resource Center on DV Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence Phone: 800-537-2238 Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence Family Violence Prevention Fund Phone: 800-313-1310 Battered Women's Justice Project Minnesota Program Development, Inc (218) 722-2781 Resource Center on Domestic Violence, Child Protection, and Custody Phone: 800-527-3223 Battered Women's Justice Project National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women TOLL-FREE: 800-903-0111 (ext. 3) National Clearinghouse on Marital and Date Rape Phone: 510-524-1582 Faith Trust Institute
(Formerly Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence) 206-634-1903 phone National Network to End Domestic Violence Phone: 202-543-5566
ADDITIONAL CHILD ABUSE RESOURCES: The National Domestic Violence Hot line is staffed 24 hours a day by trained counselors who can provide crisis assistance and information about shelters, legal advocacy, health care centers, and counseling. The Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (RAINN) will automatically transfer you to the rape crisis center nearest you, anywhere in the nation. It can be used as a last resort if people cannot find a domestic violence shelter. 1-800-656-HOPE Visit the U.S. Department of Justice Violence Against Women Office for information and resources. National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) 1-800-787-3224 (TDD) State Coalitions on Domestic Violence Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence P.O. Box 4762 Montgomery, AL 36101 1-800-650-6522 (state) TTY: 1-800-787-3224 Another State: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault 130 Seward Street, Room 209 Juneau, AK 99801 Phone: 907-586-3650 FAX: 907-463-4493 Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence 301 E. Bethany Home Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85013 Phone: 602-279-2900 FAX: 602-279-2980 TTY: 602-279-7270 1-800-782-6400 E-mail: acadv@azcadv.org Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence 1401 West Capitol Ave, Suite 170 Little Rock AR 72201 Phone: (501) 907-5612 FAX: (501)907-5618 Toll Free: (800)269-4668 Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence 1030 N. Ventra Rd Oxnard, CA 93030 Phone: 805-654-6014 FAX: 805-654-1264 24-Hour Hotline: 805-656-1111 Spanish Hotline: 800-300-2181 TDD: 805-656-4439 Statewide California Coalition for Battered Women PO Box 19005 Long Beach CA 90807 Toll-Free: 888-SCCBW-52 Phone: 562-981-1202 Fax: 562-981-3202
E-mail: sccbw@sccbw.org Alternative Horizons P.O. Box 503 Durango, CO 81302 Phone: 970-247-9619 24-hour hotline E-mail: ah@frontier.net Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence P.O. Box 18902 Denver, CO 80218 TOLL-FREE: 888-778-7091 Phone: 303-831-9632 FAX: 303-832-7067 E-mail: ccadv@ccadv.org D.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence Domestic Violence Intake Center 500 Indiana Ave NW Superior Court Room 4235 Washington, DC 20001 Phone: 202-879-7851 FAX: 202-387-5684 Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm SOS Program (A part of DC Coalition) Domestic Violence Intake Center Satellite Office Greater Southeast Community Hospital 1328 Southern Ave SE Room 311 Washington, DC 20032 Phone: 202-561-3095 x12 Fax: 202-561-3093 Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm My Sister's Place P.O. Box 29596 Washington, DC 20017
24-hour hotline: 202-529-5991 Administrative Office: 202-529-5261 Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence 100 W. 10th Street Suite 703 Wilmington, DE 19801 Phone: 302-658-2958 FAX: 302-658-5049 Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence 425 Office Plaza Dr. Tallahassee, FL 32301 TOLL-FREE: 800-500-1119 Phone: 850-425-2749 FAX: 850-425-3091 FL Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-500-1119 FL Domestic Violence Hotline TTY: 1-800-621-4202 Georgia Advocates for Battered Women and Children 250 Georgia Avenue, S.E., Suite 308 Atlanta, GA 30312 TOLL-FREE: 800-334-2836 Phone: 404-524-3847 FAX: 404-524-5959 Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence 716 Umi St., Unit 210 Honolulu, HI 96819 Phone: 808-832-9316 Fax: 808-841-6028 Email: hscadv@pixi.com 24 Hr Shelters (Hawaii..By Island) Hilo 959-8864 Kauai 245-8404
Kona 322-SAFE (7233) Maui/Lanai 579-9581 Molokai 567-6888 Oahu 841-0822 Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence 515 28th St Des Moines, IA 50312 TOLL-FREE: 800-942-0333 Phone: 515-244-8028 FAX: 515-244-7417 Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence 815 Park Blvd, Suite 140 Boise, ID 83712 TOLL-FREE: 888-293-6118 Phone: 208-384-0419 FAX: 208-331-0687 E-mail: jmatshushita@idvsa.org Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence 801 South 11th Street Springfield, Illinios 62703 Phone: 217-789-2830 FAX: 217-789-1939 TTY: 217-241-0376 E-mail: ilcadv@springnet1.com Between Friends (Formerly The Friends of Battered Women and Their Children) P. O. Box 608548 Chicago, IL 60660 Phone: 773-274-5232 FAX: 773-262-2543
HOTLINE: 1-800-603-HELP E-mail:info@afriendsplace.org Life Span P.O. Box 1515 Des Plaines IL 60017 24-Hour Crisis Line: 847-824-4454 Phone: 847-824-0382 Fax: 847-824-5311 E-mail: life-span@life-span.org Special site on Police Domestic Violence Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence 1915 W. 18th Street Indianapolis, IN 46202 TOLL-FREE: 800-538-3393 Phone: 317-917-3685 Fax 317-917-3695 Crisis Line: 1-800-332-7385 Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence 220 S.W. 33rd, Suite 100 Topeka, KS 66611 TOLL-FREE: 888-END-ABUSE Phone: 785-232-9784 FAX: 785-266-1874 Kentucky Domestic Violence Association P.O. Box 356 Frankfort, KY 40602 Phone: 502-209-5382 FAX: 502-226-5382 Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence P.O. Box 77308 Baton Rouge, LA 70879-7308 Phone: 225-752-1296 FAX: 225-751-8927
Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence 170 Park St. Bangor, ME 04401 Phone: 207-941-1194 FAX: 207-941-2327 Email: mcedv@mcedv.org Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence 6911 Laurel Bowie Road, Suite 309 Bowie, MD 20715 TOLL-FREE: 800-MD-HELPS Phone: 301-352-4574 FAX: 301-809-0422 Jane Doe Inc./ Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence 14 Beacon Street, Suite 507 Boston, MA 02108 Phone: 617-248-0922 FAX: 617-248-0902 TTY/TDD: 617-263-2200 Bay County Women's Center P.O. Box 1458 Bay City, MI 48706 TOLL-FREE: 800-834-2098 Phone: 517-686-4551 FAX: 517-686-0906 Michigan's 24-Hour Crisis Line: 517-265-6776 Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women 450 North Syndicate Street, Suite 122 St. Paul, MN 55104 Metro-Area Hotline: 651-646-0994 Phone: 651-646-6177 FAX: 651-646-1527
E-mail: mcbw@pclink.com Missouri Coalition Against Domestic Violence 1000-D Northeast Drive Jefferson City, MO 65109 Phone: 573-636-8776 FAX: 573-636-6613 Women's Support and Community Services 2165 Hampton Ave St. Louis, MO 63139 HOTLINE: 314-531-2003 Office: 314-646-7500 Mississippi State Coalition Against Domestic Violence P.O. Box 4703 Jackson, MS 39296-4703 TOLL-FREE: 800-898-3234 Phone: 601-981-9196 FAX: 601-981-2501 E-mail: mcadv@misnet.com MontanaCrisis Line P.O. Box 6644 Great Falls, MT 59406 Phone: 406-453-HELP TOLL-FREE: 1-888-587-0199 Montana Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence PO Box 818 Helena MT 59624 tel: 406.443.7794 or toll free at 888-404-7794 fax: 406.443.7818 Nebraska Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition 825 M Street, Suite 404 Lincoln, NE 68508-2253 TOLL-FREE: 800-876-6238
Phone: 402-476-6256 FAX: 402-476-6806 Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence 220 S. Rock Blvd. Ste. 7 Reno , NV 89502 TOLL-FREE: 800-500-1556 Phone: 775-828-1115 FAX: 775-828-9991 Safe House 18 Sunrise Drive, Ste. G-70 Henderson, NV 89014 Phone: 702-451-4203 FAX: 702-451-4302 24 Hr Hotline: 702-564-3227 E-mail: safe@intermind.net New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence P.O. Box 353 Concord, NH 03302-0353 TOLL-FREE: 800-852-3388 (in New Hampshire) Helpline: 603-225-9000 (outside of New Hampshire) Phone: 603-224-8893 Fax: 603-228-6096 1-866-644-3574 Find a DV center near you 1-800-277-5570 Sexual Assault New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women 1670 Whitehorse/Hamilton Square Road Trenton, NJ 08690 TOLL-FREE: for Battered Lesbians: 800-224-0211 Phone: 609-584-8107 FAX: 609-584-9750 TTY: 609-584-0027 (9am-5pm) Strengthen Our Sisters P.O.Box U
Hewitt, N.J. 07421 E-mail: ssisters@warwick.net 24-Hour Hotline: 800-SOS-9470 (800-767-9470) Office: 973-248-0776 New Mexico State Coalition Against Domestic Violence 200 Oak St NE #4 Albuquerque, NM 87106 TOLL-FREE: 800-773-3645 Legal Helpline: 800-209-DVLH Phone: 505-246-9240 FAX: 505-246-9434 E-mail: nmcadv@nmcadv.org New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence 350 New Scotland Avenue Albany New York 12208 Phone: 518-482-5465 English: 1-800-942-6906 English TTY: 1-800-818-0656 Spanish: 1-800-942-6908 Spanish TTY: 1-800-780-7660 Email us at nyscadv@nyscadv.org North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence 123 W. Main Street, Suite 700 Durham , NC 27701 Phone: 919-956-9124 FAX: 919-682-1449 Toll Free: 1-888-232-9124 North Dakota Council on Abused Women's Services State Networking Office 418 East Rosser Avenue, Suite 320 Bismarck, ND 58501 TOLL-FREE: 800-472-2911 Phone: 701-255-6240 FAX: 701-255-1904
Ohio Domestic Violence Network 4807 Evanswood Drive Suite 201 Columbus , Ohio 43229 (614) 781-9651 (614) 781-9652 Fax (614) 781-9654 TTY E-mail: info@odvn.org Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault 3815 N. Santa Fe Avenue, Suite 124 Oklahoma City , OK 73118 405-524-0700 telephone 405-524-0711 fax Oregon Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault 380 Spokane St . Suite 100 Portland , OR 97202 Telephone: 503-230-1951 Fax: 503-230-1973 Statewide Crisis Number : 1-888-235-5333 Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence/ National Resource Center on Domestic Violence 6440 Flank Drive, Suite 1300 Harrisburg, PA 17112-2778 TOLL-FREE: 800-932-4632 Phone: 717-545-6400 FAX: 717-545-9456 Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence/ National Resource Center on Domestic Violence 125 N. Enola Drive Enola PA 17025 HOTLINE: 800-692-7445 Phone: 717-728-9740
Fax: 717-671-8149 TTY: 877-585-1091 PA Women's Center of Montgomery County Main Administrative Office: 101 Washington Lane, Ste. WC-1 Jenkintown PA 19046 Toll-free hotline: 800-773-2424 Norristown Office: Women's Advocacy Project 400 Courthouse Plaza, 18 W. Airy St. Norristown PA 19404 610-279-1548 Pottstown Office: Women's Advocacy Project 555 High Street, 2nd Floor Pottstown PA 19464 610-970-7363 Bryn Mawr Office: 610-525-1427 Lansdale Office: 215-853-8060 Laurel House P.O. Box 764 Norristown, PA 19404 Phone: 610-277-1860 HOTLINE: 1-800-642-3150 Fax: 610-275-4018 E-Mail: LaurelHaus@aol.com Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence 422 Post Road, Suite 202 Warwick, RI 02888 TOLL-FREE: 800-494-8100 Phone: 401-467-9940 FAX: 401-467-9943 ricadv@ricadv.org
South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault P.O. Box 7776 Columbia, SC 29202-7776 TOLL-FREE: 800-260-9293 Phone: 803-256-2900 FAX: 803-256-1030 South Dakota Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault P.O. Box 141 Pierre, SD 57501 TOLL-FREE: 800-572-9196 Phone: 605-945-0869 FAX: 605-945-0870 South Dakota DV Information PO Box 1402 Sioux Falls, SD 57101 (605) 271-3171 Phone (605) 271-3172 Fax 1-877-317-3096 Email: siouxfalls@sdcadvsa.org South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault 1-800-430-SAFE Resource Center of Aberdeen, SD 24-Hour Crisis Line: (605) 226-1212 Toll Free: (888) 290-2935 Tennessee Task Force Against Domestic Violence P.O. Box 120972 Nashville, TN 37212 TOLL-FREE: 800-289-9018 Phone: 615-386-9406 FAX: 615-383-2967 Texas Council on Family Violence P.O. Box 161810
Austin, TX 78716 TOLL-FREE: 800-525-1978 Phone: 512-794-1133 FAX: 512-794-1199 Families In Crisis, Inc. P.O. Box 25 Killeen, Texas 76540 Phone: 254-773-7765 Fax: 254-526-6111 1-888-799-SAFE Domestic Violence Advisory Council 120 North 200 West Salt Lake City, UT 84103 TOLL-FREE: 800-897-LINK Phone: 801-538-4100 FAX: 801-538-3993 Women Helping Battered Women PO BOX 1535 Burlington, VT Phone: 802-658-1996 Toll-free: 1-800-228-7395 Women's Rape Crisis Center 1-800-489-7273 Vermont Network Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault P.O. Box 405 Montpelier, VT 05601 Phone: 802-223-1302 FAX: 802-223-6943 E-mail: vnadvsa@sover.net Virginians Family Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline 2850 Sandy Bay Road, Suite 101 Williamsburg, VA 23185
TOLL-FREE: 800-838-VADV Phone: 757-221-0990 FAX: 757-229-1553 Virginia DV Information 508 Dale Ave Charlottesville , VA 22903-4547 Phone: 434-979-9002 Fax: 434-979-9003 Virginia DV Information 1010 N. Thompson St. Suite 202 Richmond , VA 23230 Phone: 804-377-0335 Fax: 804-377-0339 Virginia DV Information 102 Industrial Blvd. Toano , VA 23168 Phone: 757-566-4602 Fax: 757-566-4670 Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence WSCADV- Olympia Office 101 N. Capitol Way, Suite 103 Olympia, WA 98501 Phone: 360-586-1022 Fax: 360-586-1024 TTY: 360-586-1029 WSCADV - Seattle Office 1402 - 3rd Ave, Suite 406 Seattle WA 98101 (206) 389-2515 (206) 389-2520 FAX (206) 389-2900 TTY wscadv@wscadv.org
Washington State Domestic Violence Hotline Tel: 800-562-6025 E-mail: csn@willapabay.org West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence Elk Office Center 4710 Chimney Drive, Suite A Charleston, WV 25302 Phone: 304-965-3552 FAX: 304-965-3572 Manitowoc Domestic Violence Center PO Box 1142 Manitowoc, WI 54220 Phone: 920-684-5770 Wisconsin Domestic Violence Center 307 S. Paterson St. #1 Madison , WI 53703 Phone: 608-255-0539 FAX: 608-255-3560 Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault 409 South 4th Street P.O. Box 236 Laramie, WY 82073 TOLL-FREE: 800-990-3877 Phone: 307-755-5481 FAX: 307-755-5482 YWCA Battered Women Task Force 225 SW 12th St. Topeka, KS 66612 Daytime: 785-354-7927 Evening and Weekend: 785-234-3300 Outside Topeka: 1-888-822-2983 National Organizations
Family Violence Prevention Fund 383 Rhode Island Street, Suite 304 San Francisco, CA 94103-5133 Phone: 415-252-8900 FAX: 415-252-8991 Washington, DC Office 1522 K Street, NW #550 Washington DC 20005 Boston Office 67 Newbury Street, Mezzanine Level Boston, MA 02116 National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Public Policy Office 1633 Q Street NW, Suite 210 Washington, DC 20009 Phone: 202-745-1211 Fax: 202-745-0088 TTY - (202) 745-2042 National Coalition Against Domestic Violence 1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 1603 Denver, CO 80203 Phone: 303-839-1852 Fax: 303-831-9251 TTY - (303) 839-1681 National Battered Women's Law Project 275 7th Avenue, Suite 1206 New York, NY 10001 Phone: 212-741-9480 FAX: 212-741-6438 Victim Services Domestic Violence Shelter Tour
2 Lafayette Street 3rd Floor New York, NY 10007 Phone: 212-577-7700 Fax: 212-385-0331 24-hour hotline: 800-621-HOPE (4673) National Resource Center on DV Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence 6400 Flank Drive, Suite 1300 Harrisburg, PA 17112 Phone: 800-537-2238 FAX: 717-545-9456 Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence Family Violence Prevention Fund 383 Rhode Island Street, Suite 304 San Francisco, CA 94103-5133 Phone: 800-313-1310 FAX: 415-252-8991 Battered Women's Justice Project Minnesota Program Development, Inc 202 East Superior Street Duluth , MN 55802 (218) 722-2781 Resource Center on Domestic Violence, Child Protection, and Custody NCJFCJ P.O. Box 8970 Reno, NV 89507 Office: 775-784-6012 Phone: 800-527-3223 FAX: 775-784-6628 staff@ncjfcj.org They are only a resource center for professionals and agencies. Battered Women's Justice Project c/o National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women
125 South 9th Street, Suite 302 Philadelphia, PA 19107 TOLL-FREE: 800-903-0111 ext. 3 Phone: 215-351-0010 FAX: 215-351-0779 National Clearinghouse on Marital and Date Rape 2325 Oak Street Berkeley, CA 94708 Phone: 510-524-1582 Faith Trust Institute (Formerly Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence) 2400 N. 45th Street #10 Seattle , WA 98103 206-634-1903 phone 206-634-0115 fax National Network to End Domestic Violence 660 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Suite 303 Washington, DC 20003 Phone: 202-543-5566 FAX: 202-543-5626 PUBLISHED BOOKS: WRITTEN BY: DONNA KSHIR & SANDRA POTTER (AVAILABLE AT: AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, BORDERS, TARGET & LULU.COM) ALL BOOKS INCLUDE THIS CHILD ABUSE HANDBOOK IN THE BACK
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THE CHILD ABUSE SURVIVOR PROJECT UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS: TIL DEATH DO US PART ONE STEP AHEAD OF FATE A STORY OF SURVIVAL (coming soon!!)
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www.dreamcatchersforabusedchildren.co.uk www.lulu.com/kshirandpotter www.twitter.com/abusedchildren www.intheknows.blogspot.com www.donnakshir.webs.com www.youtube.com/user/abusedchildren www.facebook.com/ dreamcatchersforabusedchildren www.myspace.com/abused_children www.myspace.com/childabuseproject www.cafemom.com/home/Abused_Children www.linkedin.com/in/dreamcatchersforabusedchildren FAIR USE ACT: Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
SOURCES: http://www.childhelpusa.org http://www.childwelfare.gov http://www.child-abuse-effects.com http://www.safehorizon.org http://www.helpguide.org http://www.ehow.com/how_10872_prevent-child-abuse.html