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A Diocese of Toledo workshop for educators, scout leaders, coaches and all other persons who minister to youth:

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

• Assist Church personnel in becoming more aware of the types and characteristics of child abuse and their legal duty to report it.

• Provide an overview of Diocesan policies regarding the expected standards of conduct of persons representing the Church in working with youth.

• Provide guidelines that protect youth and those who serve them.

Recognizing Child Abuse
4 General Areas

• Physical Abuse
• Emotional Abuse
• Sexual Abuse
• Neglect

Indicators Of Abuse

• Physical
• Behavioral
• Environmental

PHYSICAL ABUSE
Evidence of PHYSICAL or MENTAL injury to a child which, regardless of perpetrator or motive, is excessive under the circumstances and creates substantial risk of serious physical harm.

PHYSICAL ABUSE
    Physical Indicators

• Bruises - cluster or multiple at different stages of healing
• Patterned injuries like loop marks, finger or pinch marks, bites
• Burns - unusual locations(soles of feet, palms, etc.) Immersion or imprint burns

PHYSICAL ABUSE
    Behavioral Indicators

• Extreme behaviors - overly submissive or rebellious
• Sudden change in moods or behaviors
• Self-abusive behavior
• Aggressive of regressive behavior
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts
• Avoidance of undressing
• Excessive absences, sudden drop in grades

PHYSICAL ABUSE
    Environmental Indicators

• Social isolation
• Young parents/poor parenting skills
• History of abuse/neglect in extended families
• Previous abuse of children
• Emotional illness/substance abuse in family
• Poor family support/relationships

EMOTIONAL ABUSE
    Definition

• Chronic attitude or acts which result insignificant, verifiable psychological damage or impairment of the normal social/emotional development of a child
• Common behaviors usually exhibited by parents: Rejecting, Terrorizing, Ignoring,  Isolating, Exploiting/Corrupting

EMOTIONAL ABUSE
   Physical Indicators

• Eating disorders
• Development delays
• Nervous disorders
• Self-abusive behaviors

EMOTIONAL ABUSE
    Behavioral Indicators

• Self-abusive behaviors
• Habit disorders, (i.e. biting, rocking, head banging, etc.)
• Poor self-esteem
• Withdrawal
• Depression/emotional illness
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts
• Behavioral extremes, i.e. overly aggressive or compliant
• Psychosomatic complaints

SEXUAL ABUSE
    Definition

• Any activity of a sexual nature involving a child for the gratification of the perpetrator or a third party
• Sexual activity is not only sexual acts, but mere touching

SEXUAL ABUSE
    Physical Indicators

• Pain/irritation of genitalia
• Bruises, bleeding from external genitalia, vagina, anal region
• Genital discharge
• Torn, stained, bloody underclothes

SEXUAL ABUSE
    Behavioral Indicators

• Extreme behaviors, overly aggressive or submissive
• Sudden changes in moods or behaviors
• Self-abusive behaviors
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts
• Promiscuity/sexual behavior
• Sexual behavior inappropriate for age of child
• Difficulty walking, sitting
• Preoccupation with sexual matters

NEGLECT
Neglect or refusal by a parent/guardian to provide a child with proper or necessary subsistence,  education, medical or surgical care or care necessary for his/her health, safety or well-being

NEGLECT
    Physical Indicators

• Chronic uncleanliness or poor hygiene
• Unsuitable clothing - missing items of clothing
• Untreated illness or injury
• Excessive sunburn, colds, insect bites, etc.
• Height and/or weight significantly below age level
• Lack of supervision, adequate nutrition or safe, warm, sanitary shelter

NEGLECT
    Behavioral Indicators

• Unusual school attendance or absences
• Chronic hunger or fatigue
• Begging or collecting food
• Assuming adult roles
• Dull, apathetic appearance

• No official who knows or suspects that a child under eighteen years has suffered or faces a threat of suffering any physical or mental wound, injury, disability or condition of a nature that reasonably indicates abuse or neglect of the child, shall fail to report.
• Officials include schoolteachers, school employees, psychologists, social workers, nursing personnel, speech therapists, and persons rendering spiritual treatment.
• Must be acting in official or professional capacity for requirement to take effect
• Must report to child protective services or local police.  Diocese requires this report be done in conjunction with your local superior, (i.e. principal, pastor, or pastoral leader)
• Immunity from civil or criminal liability for good faith reporting.
• Report is confidential

• Adherence to Affirmations for Employment(Principal and Teacher-Ministers)
• Adherence to Policy on Response to Child Abuse and Adult Sexual Misconduct

NON-FRATERNIZATION POLICY

• Church will defend child’s right regardless of who alleged abuser is.
• Must be adult-to-child relationship.  Conform to moral standards of Church, legal standards of State of Ohio and common sense
• Generally, no fraternization with youth. Exceptions should be rare and with groups of youth.

RESPONSE TO CHILD ABUSE ALLEGATIONS
SUMMARY OF POLICY

1.  Investigative Process

2.  Lay Review Board

3.  Pastoral Response

4.  Confidentiality within the statute of the law – State Mandate to  

     Report all cases

RESPONSE TO CHILD ABUSE ALLEGATIONS
SUMMARY OF POLICY

• Prevention and Education
• Protecting Youth and Those Who Serve Them
• Volunteer
• CYO Coaches Clinic
• Finger Printing
• EXPECTATIONS