- Specific signs and symptoms of child abuse & neglect
that warrant action:
- Unusual
or suspicious bruises, burns, rectal or genital pain or bleeding,
or injury inconsistent with reported event
- Sexually
explicit play with dolls or other children including play with
dolls or other children that illustrates intercourse, oral intercourse
or anal intercourse (Distinguish from normal self-exploration
and masturbation).
- Inappropriate
touching of other children's private areas (buttocks, genital
area).
- Specific
comments or complaints about being maltreated, neglected or sexually
touched.
- Lack of
basic needs (e.g. food, clothing, medical & dental care).
- Grossly
inappropriate hygiene.
- A child
left unsupervised for long periods of time.
- In your
professional opinion you suspect the child is being abused or
neglected.
- Action
(When you observe specific signs of abuse or neglect):
- Immediately
file a report with child protective services (CPS) & engage
your clinic's protocol. Involve parents in filing the report when
this does not place the child at risk.
- Hospitalize
the child when necessary to treat injuries or place child in safe
environment.
- Document
the nature of injury and observations carefully in the child's
chart.
S:
What the child & parent(s) said. Use quotation marks to document
exact words.
O:
What behavior and injuries you observed. Drawings and photographs
describe location and quality of injuries. Include a ruler in photos
for scale, and victim's face for identity.
A:
Your assessment of potential child abuse.
P:
Describe any Safety and Follow up plans.
- If you are
unsure about reporting, consult a trusted colleague, a local expert,
or a child abuse case worker at child protective services. Discuss
a hypothetical situation to maintain confidentiality. Trust
your own professional judgment.
- Develop
a treatment plan for the child & family that engages clinic
and community resources.
© B. Ambuel,
Family Peace Project, Family & Community Medicine, Medical College
of Wisconsin, 210 NW Barstow, #201, Waukesha, WI, 53188, (414)548-6903.
The Family Peace Project provides training and consultation to professionals,
organizations & communities. Permission granted to copy this
protocol for noncommercial use. Your contribution to the Family
Peace Project is tax-deductible. Updated: 03/20/95 4:17 PM
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