What is Child Abuse and Neglect?
A child who is under the age of 18 is considered to be
abused or neglected when a parent or caregiver:
Inflicts or allows to be inflicted physical injury by other
than accidental means that creates substantial harm
or risk of substantial harm.
Fails to provide proper supervision or adequate food,
clothing, shelter, education or medical care although
financially able or assisted to do so.
Commits or allows to be committed an act of sexual
abuse against a child.
“What about 18 to 21 year-old students?”
Students age 18 to 21 years:
• If an 18 to 21 year old student is an “open case” with
DYFS, the Division will assess the needs of the 18 to 21-
year-old and provide appropriate services.
• If DYFS has the 18 to 21 year old student as an open
case, they legally cannot open an investigation as statutes
prohibit this. However, their involvement may lead to
referring to other available support services or having law
enforcement apply certain legal charges.
Students age 18 to 21 years:
• If current or past DYFS or other agency involvement is
unknown, you should still make the call to the Hotline.
• If it is known that there is case management from another
Division…call that case manager or contact person.
– The Division of Developmental Disabilities (Dept of Human Services)
– The Division of Mental Health Services (Dept of Human Services)
– The Division of Child Behavioral Health Services (DCF)
• Probation may be contacted if they are involved.
• If there is no current DYFS or other agency involvement, the
person making the report should call the Adult Protective
Services office 1-800-792-8820. There is an office in each of
the 21 counties.
• In every instance, call law enforcement.
What are the common signs of abuse?
• Physical abuse: unexplained or questionable
bruises, welts, burns, lacerations, fractures,
abrasions, etc.
• Sexual abuse: complaints regarding genital/anal
areas, sexually transmitted diseases, unusual
knowledge about or preoccupation with sex.
• Neglect: consistent hunger, poor hygiene,
inappropriate dress, lack of supervision, or
willfully failing to provide an education.
• Emotional abuse: may include aggressive or
withdrawn behavior, unusual fears, running
away, sudden change in mood or behavior.
Additional Indicators:
• A student may directly report that
he/she has been abused!
• Staff may directly observe a sign or
act of abuse or neglect.
• Frequent or questionable absenteeism
of a student is a cause for potential
concern.
Physical Abuse
Observable Indicators
Unexplained or
questionable/inconsistent
bruises and welts:
• On face, lips, mouth
• On torso, back, buttocks,
thighs
• In various stages of healing
• Clustered, forming regular
patterns
• Reflecting shape of article
used to inflict (electric cord,
belt buckle)
• On several different surface
areas
• Regularly appear after
absence, weekend or vacation
Behavioral Indicators:
• Wary of adult contacts
• Appearing uncomfortable with
physical contact
• Complaining of soreness or
moving uncomfortably
• Apprehensive when other
children cry
• Behavioral extremes:
• Aggressiveness or Withdrawal
• Reluctant to change clothes for
PE
• Frightened of parents
• Afraid to go home
• Seeking to stay late after
school
• Reports injury by parents
Physical Abuse (continued)
Observable Indicators
Unexplained or
questionable/inconsistent
Burns:
• Cigar, cigarette burns,
especially on soles, palms,
back or buttocks
• Immersion burns (sock-like,
glove-like doughnut shaped on
buttocks or genitalia)
• Patterned like electric burner,
iron, etc.
• Rope burns on arms, legs,
neck or torso
Observable Indicators
Unexplained or
questionable/inconsistent
fractures:
• To skull, nose, facial structure
• In various stages of healing
• Multiple or spiral fractures
Unexplained or
questionable/inconsistent
laceration or abrasions:
• To mouth, lips, gums, eyes
• To external genitalia
Scenarios for discussion:
• You overhear your student Johnny, a 12 year-old, telling
some other children about how he was caught shoplifting
over the weekend and his father gave him a beating with
his belt for it. You take Johnny aside and tell him what you
overheard. You ask if the nurse can examine him, and he
agrees. The nurse finds no bruises or marks on Johnny.
You call Johnny’s father and he confirms that he did indeed
hit Johnny with a belt, as punishment for shoplifting.
Johnny’s father picks him up from school as usual, and
Johnny seems happy to see his father.
• Susan, a six-year-old girl, has a bruise on her cheek, her
upper arm, and her torso. She tells you that over the
weekend she fell down the stairs. Susan often has bruises
on her upper arms. Her mother confirms that she fell down
the stairs—she says Susan is a tomboy and is always
falling down.
Scenarios for discussion:
• You overhear your student Johnny, a 12 year-old, telling
some other children about how he was caught shoplifting
over the weekend and his father gave him a beating with
his belt for it. You take Johnny aside and tell him what you
overheard. You ask if the nurse can examine him, and he
agrees. The nurse finds no bruises or marks on Johnny.
You call Johnny’s father and he confirms that he did indeed
hit Johnny with a belt, as punishment for shoplifting.
Johnny’s father picks him up from school as usual, and
Johnny seems happy to see his father.
• Susan, a six-year-old girl, has a bruise on her cheek, her
upper arm, and her torso. She tells you that over the
weekend she fell down the stairs. Susan often has bruises
on her upper arms. Her mother confirms that she fell down
the stairs—she says Susan is a tomboy and is always
falling down.