Below are some indicators of child abuse which can help you recognize an existing or potential
problem of abuse:
- Sexual Abuse - Sexual abuse is defined as acts of sexual assault on and the sexual exploitation of minors.
Indicators of sexual abuse:
• Child reports sexual activities to a trusted person.
• Detailed and age-inappropriate understanding of sexual behavior (especially by younger children).
• Child wears torn, stained or bloody underclothing.
• Child is victim of other forms of abuse.
Reporting
The law requires certain professionals to report suspicion and/or knowledge of child abuse, which
includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and cases of severe emotional abuse that constitute willful cruelty or unjustifiable punishment of a child. But, community members also have an important role in protecting children from abuse and neglect. The life of a child may be saved if community members become involved and report cases of suspected child abuse.
Your involvement
Involvement does not mean physical intervention or snooping on your neighbor. It simply means not ignoring the obvious. Fear of involvement has resulted in family tragedies in which neighbors reported they knew what was going on, but declined to get involved. If a member of the community, who is not required by law to report, does not want to identify himself or herself, the report may be made anonymously.
After your report
Many people are under the misconception that if a family is reported for child abuse the parent will always be arrested and the child will be taken away from the family. Although this may occur in serious abuse cases, the family is usually referred to services such as counseling or parenting
classes. In neglect cases, the family may be referred to public assistance agencies. However, the goal of child protective agencies is to try to keep the family unit intact unless the child is in danger.
The goal of all of us is to protect our children and help them grow up healthy and happy.
To report suspected child abuse please contact your local:
• Police or Sheriff’s Department;
• County Abuse Reporting - (706) 282-4505 or (706) 886-8655 (after hours)
