Stopping Child Abuse in Nevada

By Phillip Ulibarri, WCHD

Last year more than 23,700 reports of child abuse were received through various emergency hotlines in Nevada. Many of these calls are investigated and determined not to be abuse. But thousands of cases are child abuse and each one represents a defenseless child whose life may be at risk and older individuals who need help.

The Nevada Children’s Trust Fund supports the "Fight Abuse" campaign – urging everyone ... “If you see it, sense it or know it, report it.”  Many Nevadans, who by law (NRS 432B) are mandated reporters, are required to notify authorities if they suspect child abuse has occurred or is happening. The complete list of mandated reporters can be found at: http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-432B.html#NRS432BSec220.

If you suspect child abuse and believe a child to be in danger and in need of attention call 911 immediately. If you are uncertain and believe the child or family needs help, call 1-800-992-5757. Your call is confidential and may save a child’s life. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to the life of a child.

What happens when I call?

Not all child abuse reports turn out to be child abuse, but do you want to take that risk? Let a trained professional determine what needs to be done. Horror stories of decent, normal, law-abiding parents and families being victimized by social workers and court appointed case workers are the exception not the rule. Some calls are unsubstantiated and nothing will happen. Some cases are referred to counseling programs and never enter the court system.

A new program called Differential Response (DR) provides alternatives to a CPS investigation. The DR program recently implemented in Nevada through Family Resource Centers allows flexibility in responding to reports of abuse and neglect taking into consideration the severity of the report, immediacy of child safety concerns, and family needs, addressing five priority areas: educational neglect, environmental neglect, physical neglect, medical neglect, and improper supervision.

Substantiated cases of child abuse can result in arrest of the perpetrator, protective custody of the victim and court action.

What are the Signs of Child Abuse?

Children and teens all go through difficult phases in their lives and may experience one or more of the following symptoms through accidents, natural life cycles, and trauma unassociated with abuse. Abuse is best indicated by these signs when they occur in conjunction with each other over a significant period of time, with a possible escalation of symptoms.

• Unexplained cuts, burns, bruises or welts, possibly in the shape of common household products such as spatulas or curling irons
• Burns that cover an entire hand or foot to resemble a glove or sock
• Bite marks
• Anti-social behavior
• Problems in school
• Fear of adults
• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Self-injury or suicidal behavior
• Depression or poor self-image
• Apathy
• Hostility
• Lack of concentration
• Eating disorders or drastic changes in appetite
• Inappropriate interest in or knowledge of sexual acts
• Seductiveness
• Avoidance of sexuality or genitalia
• Nightmares and bed wetting
• Excessive compliance or aggression
• Fear of a particular person or family member
• Withdrawal and secretiveness
• Unsuitable clothing for weather
• Unkempt or unwashed appearance
• Extreme hunger
• Apparent lack of supervision

What are the Results of Child Abuse?

Abuse affects children differently and in a number of ways. Some of the physical, behavioral, and emotional effects of child abuse include:

• Infants may lack muscle tone and suffer from delayed social and lingual development, inhibiting their ability to smiling, coo and speak.
• Infants may suffer delays in motor coordination, affecting their ability to turn over, reach for toys, sit and crawl.
• Children suffer long and short-term bodily injuries such as broken bones or brain damage.
• Children have difficulty establishing personal relationships.
• Children face difficulty with touch, intimacy, trust and general physical closeness.
• Children become deceptive towards others or fearful of their environment.
• Children become reclusive and alienate themselves from loved ones.
• Children suffer from abnormally high levels of depression and anxiety and may experience substance abuse.
• Children may suffer from confused sexual identity or mental disorders such as autism.
• Children misbehave at school, work or in other public places.
• Children develop a low self-image and feelings of worthlessness, which may lead to self-destructive behaviors and even suicide.
• Children have trouble obeying the law, and indulge in illegal behaviors such as stealing, arson and prostitution.
• Children may deliberately act out in order to focus the abuse on them instead of another loved one
• Children continue the cycle of abuse by becoming an abusive parent or caregiver

What Can You Do?

The first step to end child abuse is prevention. Teachers and caretakers should learn what they can do to help keep others or even themselves from harming a child, including the triggers of child abuse and appropriate outlets for anger and anxiety. They should also take time to learn the warning signs and symptoms of child abuse and the appropriate channels by which to report the abuse.

Parents and guardians can teach children to listen to their feelings and say “no” if an action does not feel appropriate. Keep children away from questionable situations. Instruct children never to accept rides or gifts from strangers, and explain appropriate behaviors for adult-child relationships. Parents should take care to screen the friends, family members, and other adults with whom their children associate, and thoroughly research daycare personnel before leaving their children in outside care. Parents can also prevent abuse by monitoring and restricting children’s reading materials, video games, television and Internet use, and explain why the behaviors that their children experience in the media are not always appropriate in real life situations.

The second step is coping with existing cases of child abuse, which begins with identifying victims. Every parent, caregiver, and other adult who comes into contact with children should be aware of the prevalence and dangers of child abuse. Learn the warning signs and contact the appropriate parties. Because child abuse is extremely destructive, children need to be comforted, reassured that the abuse is not their fault, educated about the abuse, and then placed in the care of nurturing and supportive adults.

In order to break the cycle of child abuse, abusers must acknowledge that their actions were wrong and be motivated to change their ways. They must learn to channel their emotions through positive outlets in order meet their children’s physical and emotional needs and abandon destructive behaviors. Parents or guardians are encouraged to seek professional help. Call 1-800-992-5757 and the call takers there will be happy to give you information about parenting classes, counseling and other programs to help restore family cohesiveness.

For more information please go to www.canpreventnv.org.