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(Unit 1) Topic 6: Child Abuse Awareness

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms

Topic 6 Page 5

As educators, you play a key role in detecting and helping abused children. Because young children may spend the majority of their day in child care, early childhood educators have more access to them than other professionals. This regular contact gives you the chance to observe changes in appearance and behavior that others may not notice.

You may be the trusted adult to whom a child makes an initial disclosure of abuse. Educators are often seen as positive role models, and may be a source of support and care for many children. It is imperative that you know how to respond, that you understand your rights and responsibilities as a mandated reporter, and that you are familiar with your programs policies and reporting procedures.

It is important to remember that a mandated reporter must make a child abuse report “whenever the mandated reporter, in his or her professional capacity or within the scope of his or her employment, has knowledge of or observes a child whom the mandated reporter knows or reasonably suspects has been the victim of child abuse or neglect..."

If you suspect, REPORT!!!!

Proof of abuse is not required; that will be determined through investigation by the child welfare professionals and/or law enforcement.

Make A Difference! Report Child Abuse and Neglect 

Talking With Children

As an educator, you may become aware that one of the children in your care is a victim of abuse by observing physical evidence, by the child’s behavior, or by the child’s verbal disclosure. If you observe physical evidence of abuse, employ only open-ended questions in asking the child about it. For example, if a child displays unusual bruising, ask “How did you get hurt?” rather than “Did your father do that? or “Who hit you?”

If it is the child’s behavior that concerns you, ask the child privately whether there is something going on that is making the child angry or unhappy.