...Reporting Abuse Summary Mary Wiley, Sandra Spencer, Tracey Marshall-Dove, Lisa Stein, Jeannie Puskarich BSHS332 October 10, 2010 Bobby Fowler Reporting Abuse Summary Team A has been researching and discussing our individual state laws concerning reporting abuse on children, spouse, and elders. The discussion centered around our thoughts on confidentiality and the duty to protect others from harm. There are three of us who reside in Washington State, and one in Florida, and one in Ohio. This summary will bring together all the different laws and the reader will begin to see the similarities and differences on reporting abuse between the states. Protecting the Most Vulnerable There are laws implemented to protect the most vulnerable of citizens. In the United States, nearly 61% of children are victims of abuse and neglect (Iannelli, 2010). The cases of elderly abuse that comes to the attention of authorities are one in 14 according to the Official National statistics (National Center on Elder Abuse, 2010). Spousal abuse happens in every country and culture. Domestic violence statistic reports nearly one third to one half of women are abused by their husbands or domestic partner (Reade, 2010). However, spousal abuse is not exclusively committed against the female gender. One in every 33 men is abused by their mate (MenWeb, 2010). Every aspect of human service work will have a pertinent position in these areas of human violations. ...
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...Anderson Unit 1 Main Db. Participants of the clergy currently are vital to report child abuse in 27 States and Guam (Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect, 2012). In different lines of work it is more vital than other job professions. People who are in the line of working as social workers, childcare providers ,and teachers are more involved with children on a day to day basic so they are essential to report assumed child abuse. The media can service growth in quantities by states that include clergy in this group by stressing cases of child abuse in their place of residence. The option of the public holds a lot of power by informing politicians and lawmakers of what the issues are in the community. With people speaking out and offering solutions lawmaker knows what options they have and how the residents would be pleased with these solutions. In Indiana it is very important that child abuse should be reported. In Indiana mandatory reporting has existed for 15 years and if not reported the person can face jail time. If mandatory reporting does not exist, it still should be that any adult that is around and notice this type of thing should report to save the child. References: http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title31/ar33/ch5.html https://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/statutes/clergymandated.cfm Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect, 2012. Child Welfare Information Gateway. Retrieved from:...
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...Abuse Reporting Paper Gria Jacobs, Amy Mathias, Cathy Schultz, Barbara Spencer, Debra Tatum BSHS 332 June 18, 2012 Richard Van Cleave Abuse Reporting Paper Every state is responsible for designing and implementing its own abuse reporting laws. The laws share a common goal and purpose, to protect children, the elderly, and spouse whose health and welfare is adversely affected through abuse and neglect. Every state is analogous in requiring responsible parties to report child, elderly and domestic abuse of any kind, physical neglect, medical neglect, verbal abuse, physical or emotional injury, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and inadequate supervision as well as financial exploitation. Although laws exist that mandate certain individuals, such as medical, and hospital personnel, social service workers, childcare workers and other professionals to report any type of abuse, every individual has an obligation under the law to report suspected child and elderly abuse. Though ethical dilemmas of reporting child and elderly abuse exist, these concerned are discussed and recommendations are integrated within the laws that subsist. The ethical duty of a human service professional is to act in the best interested of the children and elderly by safeguarding and reporting concern. A professional is to respect the integrity and welfare of the client at all times, respecting and protecting his or her right to privacy and confidentiality. However, when it is suspected that...
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...suspect abuse. I will discuss the action I would take in order to provide the appropriate care for this patient. As a registered professional nurse, I feel the only approach to the case is to report the injury to Department of Family and Child’s Services (DFACS) for their investigation. When a report is made, DFACS will complete an investigation and make the ultimate decision if abuse or neglect was the cause of the injury. Each nurse has a duty to report all suspicious injuries to DFACS, regardless of her feelings on abuse or neglect. This is true even when the physician knows the family or does not suspect abuse. The nurse is responsible for her own actions. In order to provide the best quality of care for this patient, I would take the statement from the parent about how the patient was injured, and then talk to the physician to gather the physical finding, which may include x-ray reports after this information is gathered, I would report the case to the local DFACS. Anytime there is a suspicious injury regardless of the plausibility of the story, or if the physician knows the patient and does not suspect the parent, the DFACS case must be reported. The nurse in this situation has a duty to report this injury and let child services decide if the patient is in danger. I would perform a complete examination of the patient and communicate with the physician, in addition to noting any other signs of abuse, along with paying close attention for indicators of abuse. Indicators...
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...ELDER ABUSE: IN NEED OF A MORE COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL FRAMEWORK ARTICLE IRISEL COLLAZO NAZARIO * Introduction ...............................................................................................................287 I. Defining Elder Abuse ........................................................................................ 289 A. Negligence ..................................................................................................... 290 B. Physical Abuse................................................................................................292 C. Emotional or Psychological Abuse.............................................................. 294 D. Financial Exploitation ...................................................................................295 II. Incidence and Prevalence ................................................................................. 296 III. Causes and Risk Factors .................................................................................. 298 IV. Dealing with the Problem of Elder Abuse ....................................................... 301 V. Mandatory Reporting ........................................................................................ 304 Conclusion and Final Recommendations ............................................................... 307 INTRODUCTION AS THE POPULATION SCHEME changes, the system faces new challenges. In 2000, the elders accounted for 16% of the total population in...
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...Discipline or Abuse: Where is the line drawn? According to childhelp.org, a foundation for the prevention and treatment of child abuse, every year 3.3 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States. And in these 3.3 million reports approximately six million children are harmed every year by one of these malicious acts; and that’s about six million too many. Simply defined, child abuse refers to physical, mental, or sexual harm done to a minor whether it is intentional or unintentional. But, unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Not only are there several different categories for child abuse, but states also have their own laws are regulations defining the acts. Although Congress has enacted several pieces of legislature in response to the continual problem, clearly that is not enough. It was reported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that in 2011 approximately 5 children were lost every day due to abuse related deaths (childhelp.org). There is an obvious need for reformation in order for this pandemic to be overcome. Although it’s not the most known form of maltreatment, child neglect is the most prevalent form of child abuse in the U.S. today, as reported on childhelp.org by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They reported that of the 3.3 million cases reported each year, 78.3 percent alone is due to child neglect (childhelp.org). Neglect falls into four basic categories: physical, educational, emotional, and medical. Physical...
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...would prolong her life. 2. Does Sharna have an obligation to report suspected child abuse to protect Ginty’s children? Who is involved? • Ginty McTaggart (patient) • Nurse Sharna • Ginty’s cousin Garry • Ginty’s daughters • Medical team 2. Evaluate the Issue Ethical Principles Autonomy –Autonomy in the health framework is described as ‘every human being of adult, more than 18 years and with a capacity has a right to determine what should be done with their own body’ (Schloendorff v Society of New York...
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...Elderly Abuse and Neglect By Kenneth Barnes Herzing University Online W4A1 March 30, 20 According to “Merriam-Webster” sacrosanct is defined as most sacred inviolable: secure from assault or trespass, treated as holy: immune from criticism or violation. This is how we viewed our elderly in the past (particularly the eldest male) as patriarchs of the family these are the individuals that guided, shaped and molded our cultural and ethical knowledge. “Growing awareness of family violence, however, has shown this view to be faulty, first with the "discovery" of child neglect and abuse in the 1960s, followed by spouse abuse in the early 1970s, and elder neglect and abuse in the mid-1970s” (Hudson,2002). Fast forward to present day we find that these individuals are regarded as obsolete relics and are treated as such. An article in the Encyclopedia of Aging points out that elderly abuse has been in existence since the beginning of human history. Although violence varies from society to society and culture to culture the manner in which the elderly are subjected to this violence depends on that society or culture. In some cultures older adults are respected and honored while in others they are viewed as a burden. The latter lends itself to the abuse of the elderly. Early examples of elder neglect and abuse include adult sons killing their aged parents in Teutonic societies and Native American tribes abandoning their elders when they can no longer travel (Sumner). The article...
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...diseases, alcohol, and dispossession. 19th Century Colonies develop own legislations Australian states/colonies develop individual legislative mechanisms concerning child protection for their jurisdictions. 19th/20th Century ‘Stolen Generation’ Forced separation of Aboriginal children from their families under policies of assimilation. 20th Century ‘Forgotten Australians’ State institutionalisation of children for a variety of paternalistic reasons. Late 20th Century Family Court of Australia States gradually devolve their powers in relation to ex-nuptial children to federal court. States maintain individual jurisdiction for child protection. 1987 Legislation in NSW Ascension of Children (Care and Protection) Act. (see hand out) Supporting Families Emergent view that it is better to support families and have children safely remain in the family unit than to remove the child. Late 20th Century Foster Care Growing body of evidence indicating foster care is preferred model of out of home care over residential care models. UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Development of convention. First developed by the League of Nations in 1924. Ratified by UN in 1990. Australia one of the first signatories. Mandatory Reporting The new legislation brings in mandatory reporting. That all professionals whose work is associated with children must report instances where they are “at risk of harm”. Out of home care (OOHC), Non-Government organisation...
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...Child abuse and neglect, or child maltreatment as it is referred to in the current literature, is one of the most devastating and disturbing situations encountered by those who care for children. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHSS, 2013), the number of children reportedly abused in the United States in 2012 was 686,000. An estimated 1640 children died as a result of child maltreatment in the same year. Although these statistics have improved over recent years, these preventable incidents and deaths remain at an intolerable level. The most vulnerable age group is infants less than one year of age. DHHS reports that 21.9/1000 infants were abused in 2012 and infants comprised 44.4% of child deaths resulting from child abuse and neglect; the highest incidence of fatal injuries compared to other age groups. The types of abuse sustained by infants include neglect (63%), physical abuse (24%), psychological mistreatment (21%), and sexual abuse (< 3%). Many infants were victims of more than one form of abuse. Of the physical abuse types, Shaken Baby Syndrome is, by far, the most common form of abuse at more than 50,000 cases per year according to Gutierrez, et al (2004) and accounts for 45% of infant deaths by abuse (DHHS, 2013). Other forms of physical abuse include: head trauma by beating, kicking, or throwing, suffocation, and immersion-type burns. In assessing infants for signs of abuse, it is important to have a keen awareness and knowledge...
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...Child abuse among school-aged children is a very common form of violence in the United States. The two most common type of child abuse in school-aged are: Neglect: the most common type of child abuse; it is a pattern of failing to provide for a child’s basic needs, whether it may be adequate food, clothing, hygiene, or supervision. Neglect is one of the most difficult types of child abuse to find, especially because older children may not exhibit outward signs of neglect. They become used to their environment, sometimes having to step up and become the adult. (www.helpguide.org) A nurse should assess for bad hygiene, ill-fitting clothes, body odor, and untreated injuries or medical problems. Nurses should asses school attendance and home behavior at home, if possible (www.wild-iris.org) Warning signs of neglect in the school-aged child include ill-fitting clothes, bad hygiene, untreated illnesses and physical injuries. The neglected child is frequently left alone or allowed to play in dangerous areas. The child is frequently tardy or absent from school. Physical abuse is another common type of abuse in school-aged children. Physical abuse is one of the easier types of abuse to find because it is easy to visualize the marks left behind, but it is the hardest to differentiate between abuse & discipline. Obviously if there are broken bones or patterned bruises, that would lead one to suspect abuse. (www.helpguide.org) A child can exhibit contusions, lacerations, burns...
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...Child Protection Laws CJHS430 April 6, 2015 Tracy Walker Townsend Child Protection Laws Washington like many other states have appointed mandatory reporters, this means anyone who works closely with children is required to report if they suspect a child is being abused or neglected. The penalty for not reporting is considered a misdemeanor ("Find Law", 2015). Those who are required to report are police officers, pediatricians, teachers and other people who work closely with children. The guidelines for reporting state that if there is a reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused or neglected there is a valid reason to report your suspicion ("Find Law", 2015). Mandatory reporting is great when a child is unable or does not talk to someone about his or her life. Often children do not know there is something wrong or are afraid to say anything. Mandatory reporting allows someone on the outside that sees the signs to report their concerns to someone who will look into the matter. Sometimes it may not lead to anything, but often it does lead to a valid case where the child is in need of help. In the state of Washington, when someone reports that a child is being abused or neglected CPS, or Child Protection Services will begin to conduct an investigation. If they feel that the child could be in immediate danger by the report given, then the investigation will start within 24 hours. If CPS does not feel that the child is in danger, they have...
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...situations of abuse? How do we know when abuse is minor? Is there any abuse that is considered minor? These questions and more have come to my attention recently and I have been doing my research to gain a better understanding of what these organizations are all about and how they are run. I believe that there are certain times when these organizations did not do what they should have done to prevent or protect those being abused. I also feel that there are too many restrictions on parents today and these organizations are being too harsh in certain situations and not harsh enough in others. Both of these organizations run along the same lines when it comes to abuse of individuals. They are just broken down into child and adult departments. The Child Protective Services department handles any case of abuse with an individual under the age of 18. After reading several CPS websites from different states, the general guideline is that anyone who notices abuse of a child has the obligation to report it to the authorities so they can investigate. The same goes for the APS, the general guideline is about the same when it comes to abuse of adults. With the adults, the criteria is that the individual must be at least 18 years of age and mentally or physically incapable of defending themselves against the abuser. These are just the basics of both departments and I feel that there are situations that are brushed under the rug, so to speak. There are times when someone has been abuse or neglected...
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...Child Abuse There is no other crime more emotionally laden than those involving children. Police officers and investigators speak about the intense associated with those cases. Sometimes these people who are involved in crimes against children have to go therapy because of the severity of the case. Unfortunately, incidents of crime against children are increasing dramatically every year. Every year thousands of children become victims of crime, whether it’s through kidnappings, violent attacks, sexual abuse, or online predators. Child abuse has a lengthy history. Children have been subject to abuse by their parents or other adults since presumably the beginning of time. For many centuries laws failed to protect children from abuse. Children under English common law were considered the property of their fathers, as women were considered property of their husbands, until the late 1800s. American colonists in the 16th and 17th centuries carried the tradition of children being property of their fathers to the early years of the United States. In the early 1870s, child abuse captured the nation's attention with news that an 8 year old orphan named Mary Ellen Wilson was suffering daily whippings and beatings at her foster home. With no organization in existence to protect abused children, the orphan's plight fell to attorneys for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). These attorneys argued that laws protecting animals from abuse should not be greater...
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...CHILD ABUSE Miami Dade College Professor Grooms PSY2012 April 14th, 2012 At least every ten seconds a report of child abuse is reported across the United States. Child Abuse is a topic that can put fear in the heart of any parent, grandparent or guardian. Child abuse is a very delicate yet important issue in the world. Why is child abuse such a bug problem? Because Child abuse is also the type of problem where any child can fall prey especially, because child abuse does not seem to discriminate against age, sex, race, religion, or economic backgrounds. Parents, grandparents or guardians run the high risk of knowing their child’s abuser. Children of all ages are vulnerable to abuse. More than five children die every day as a result of child abuse. (U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2011) Child abuse in most cases starts mostly with an individual whom was abused as a child therefore, repeating the cycle, users of drugs, and/or alcohol. Child Abuse has come to be known as a silent problem because someone they know and trust people like teachers, relative, family friend or even a caretaker will abuse almost all of these children and yet feel the fear to never say anything to anyone. More than 90% of juvenile sexual abuse victims know their perpetrator in some way. (Synder, July) During recent years, the public eye has become more informed on child abuse. There are many components to child abuse but specifically there are four general categories of child neglect...
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