To ensure and strengthen a parent or caretaker’s capacity to protect and nurture their children while maintaining the safety of those children in their own homes or in an appropriate alternative arrangement.

WHY, WHEN, AND HOW SHOULD CHILD MALTREATMENT BE REPORTED?

Reporting suspected child abuse or neglect is the first step in protecting children from future harm. By reporting, the caller is helping the family get services and help that is needed. Abused children may carry the trauma associated with the abuse throughout their lives unless treatment, assistance, and support are provided. Because child abuse rarely stops without intervention, it is important that every citizen report suspected cases.

North Carolina law establishes protective services for children from birth to age eighteen who are suspected to be maltreated by a parent or caretaker. The law requires that any person who suspects a minor child is abuses or neglected shall report the case to the local department of social services in the county where the child resides or is found. Reports may be made orally, in writing, or in person. The person who makes the report is immune from criminal or legal liability if the report is made in good faith. The person reporting is encouraged to provide his/her name but anonymous calls are accepted.

The Catawba County Child Protection Unit can be reached by phone at (828) 324-9111 twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven days a week. A reporter does not have to prove that abuse/neglect has taken place, but needs to have reasonable grounds for suspicion. The reporter does not need permission from caregivers to make a report, nor do they have to be informed that a report is made. A social worker will listen to the concerns and document all information given. The Child Protection Unit is located at the main Social Services' offices at 3030 11th Ave Dr SE behind Catawba Valley Medical Center. The mailing address is P.O. Box 669, Newton, NC 28658.

Information needed to make a report:

• Name, address and age of the child(ren)
• Name and address of the child’s parent, guardian, or caretaker
• The child’s condition, including the history, nature, and extent of the injury or maltreatment
• Information known about the family’s lifestyle which could affect the safety of the child, and perhaps compromise a social worker’s safety

WHAT ARE SIGNS OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT?

Physical and Behavioral Indicators of Physical Abuse:

• Unexplained bruises in various stages of healing
• Bruises in areas not normally subjected to bruising, such as on the face, non-bony areas of the arms, legs, and/or torso
• Welts, human bites, bald spots
• Unexplained burns, especially cigarette burns or scald burns
• Unexplained fractures, injuries or abrasions
• Child is nervous, hyperactive, aggressive, and exhibits disruptive and destructive behaviors
• Child is unusually wary of physical contact
• Child is unduly frightened of parent or caretaker
• Child expresses little or no emotion when hurt
• Child is unusually shy, withdrawn, or passive
• Child’s clothing consistently inappropriate for weather

Physical and Behavioral Indicators of Sexual Abuse:

• Irritation around the genitals or rectum, or an abnormal discharge
• Unexplained, recurring urinary tract infections or yeast infections
• Increased, obsessive masturbation
• Enuresis and encopresis (wetting and soiling)
• Play activities which have sexual activity that is not appropriate for the child’s age
• Engages in on-going sexual activity that is not appropriate for the child’s age
• Child has detailed and sophisticated understanding of sexual behaviors
• Presence of venereal disease
• Child exhibits delinquent or aggressive behavior or excessive temper tantrums
• Child shows signs of depression
• Compulsive stealing, lying, and destructive behaviors
• Child displays self-injurious behaviors like substance abuse, self mutilation, attempts suicide, prostitution and running away

Physical and Behavioral Indicators of Child Neglect:

• Abandonment by parent or caregiver
• Unattended medical needs
• Consistent lack of or inadequate supervision
• Consistent hunger, inappropriate dress, poor hygiene
• Exposure to injurious environment such as domestic violence, alcohol or drug abuse, mental illness
• Child has poor social skills
• Child appears pale, listless
• Child begs or steals food
• Frequent school absences
• Child regularly displays fatigue
• Child exhibits self destructive behavior
• Child has injuries or fears stemming from home environment
• Child frequently displays extreme attention-seeking behavior

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES REPORT IS MADE?

Screening of the report:

A social worker and supervisor must determine if the allegations contained in the report meet the legal definition of abuse, neglect, or dependency. The Department has jurisdiction only when the maltreatment falls within legal definitions AND was committed or allowed by the parent or caretaker. If the allegations and alleged perpetrator meet these criteria, an investigation is initiated. If a report is not accepted for investigation, the reporter has a right to challenge the Department’s decision not to investigate through an agency review process.

A social worker initiates an investigation within 24 hours when abuse is alleged. Investigations involving allegations of neglect posing no imminent risk to the child will be initiated within 72 hours.

In conducting the investigation, the social worker will complete numerous investigative tasks. Tasks include, but are not limited to, the following:

• All children within the household will be seen within 24 or 72 hours depending upon the type of maltreatment alleged and described above
• Parents / caretakers will be seen on the same day as the children
• The alleged perpetrator will be interviewed
• All other persons who reside in the household will be interviewed
• A home visit will take place to determine if the environment poses any safety threat to the child
• Develop a Protection Plan, in writing, with the family to assure immediate protection
• Collateral contacts will be made with any and all persons who may have information about the family (ex. physicians, social workers, psychologist, teachers, guidance counselors, law enforcement personnel, neighbors, extended family members, etc)
• Contact law enforcement to initiate a criminal investigation in cases where severe physical abuse or sexual abuse has occurred.
• Complete a Risk Assessment to assess the likelihood of future risk of maltreatment
• Assess family dynamics and patterns of interaction
• Determine the need for on-going intervention services aimed at maintaining a safe permanent home, OR, make temporary alternate plans for the child’s care with a relative or other substitute care such as a foster home when no appropriate relative can be located.
• Notify the reporter of agency finding, whether the agency is filing a petition for court intervention, and procedure for a review by the District Attorney
• Document all activities and contacts made during the investigation

The target date for completion of an investigation is 30 days from the receipt of the report.

CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS TO NEGLECT AND ABUSE

While maltreating parents/caretakers share many characteristics with members of the general population, there are patterns of behaviors and family dynamics which are predictors and indicators of child abuse and neglect. The following is a list of characteristicswhich are commonly present in maltreating families:

• Tend to be socially isolated and have no social support system
• Parents have low self-esteem
• Parents have distorted ideas regarding the child
• Have little knowledge about child development
• Have unrealistic expectations of the child
• Lack means of controlling child’s behavior through alternative methods to corporal discipline
• Inability to empathize (view the world from the point of the child)
• Have difficulty in building trusting relationships
• Mental Health Issues
• Tend to be immature and dependent
• Use of alcohol and/or substances
• Domestic violence
• Inadequate family income and/or sporadic employment history
• Inadequate housing
• Unstable living conditions (transient or frequent moves)
• Limited intellectual functioning
• Family history of child neglect or abuse
• Poor household management
• Poor understanding of role of parent
• Poor communication within the family
• Non-responsive to emotional needs of the child
• Child who is developmentally delayed and/or has behavior problems

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