2016-17 Community Improvement Project Research Analysis

Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. --MLK, Jr.

United States. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and
Families Administration on Children, Youth and Families Childrens Bureau Office on
Child Abuse and Neglect. The Role of Educators in Preventing and Responding to Child
Abuse and Neglect. By Cynthia Crosson-Tower, Carl Tacy, and Jeannine Newman. N.p.:
n.p., 1992. Print.

Children and adolescents spend a large portion of their time in school, which gives educators
more access to students than most other professionals (Crosson-Tower 8)
- Teachers spend the most time with kids, giving them more time to see the indicators
Several studies indicate that many educators are not entirely clear what the indicators of child
abuse and neglect are or how to report suspected maltreatment. (Crosson-Tower 3)
- Do not know how to recognize
- If they do think they brush it off their shoulder
This training makes them uniquely qualified to detect indicators that may signify that a child is
being maltreated (Crosson-Tower 10).
- Understand and know the signs
- Able to know how to respond to the child
A schools involvement in prevention can be divided into school-based programs, school
community programs, and individual action on the part of educators (Crosson-Tower 45).
EQ: showed the importance of educators and how they can make an impact in child abuse.

Dinehart, Lauren, and Maureen Kenny. Journal of Research in Childhood Education. N.p., n.d.
Web. 12 Apr. 2017.

Figure 2: One of the biggest indicators that a child may have been sexually abused is :sexualized
behavior (correct answer) 43.8 (amount who got it right).
- Teachers can not recognize a sign of a sexually abused child
- Less than half who were surveyed got the answer incorrect showing their ignorance to the
situation
Results from this study suggest that ECE providers have adequate knowledge in child abuse and
reporting practices but continue to fall short when faced with possible abuse scenarios.
(Dinehart)
- Know but need more training
Currently, 38 states in the United States require ECE providers to have training in child abuse
recognition and reporting prior to working with children (NACCRRA, 2013 N ). With regard to
education, licensing regulations for lead teachers education vary greatly across states; only 10
states require that lead teachers hold a minimum child development associate (CDA) credential
(NACCRRA, 2013 National Association of Child Care Resources & Referral Agencies. (2013).
- Some states do not require education on child abuse
- More than half provide little training; training should be done each year
 2016-17 Community Improvement Project Research Analysis

Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. --MLK, Jr.

Six providers (4.4%) reported that they failed to make a report even though they thought a child
may have been abused. Reasons for not reporting included (1) fear of making an inaccurate
report, (2) fear of misinterpreting cultural discipline styles, and (3) fear of making an inaccurate
report that would only bring negative consequences (Dinehart)
- Although it's only four percent, some child abuse cases go unnoticed
- Some teachers do not know so they almost ignore the issue

"Effects of child abuse and neglect for adult survivors." Child Family Community Australia.
N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2017.

.Mental health problems associated with past histories of child abuse and neglect include
personality disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, dissociative disorders, depression, anxiety
disorders and psychosis (CFCA).
- Common side effect
- Most common is depression, effects into adulthood
In the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study in the United States, adults with four or more
adverse experiences in childhood were seven times more likely to consider themselves an
alcoholic, five times more likely to have used illicit drugs and ten times more likely to have
injected drugs compared to adults with no adverse experiences (CFCA).
- People solve their issues in alcohol and drugs
- This one experience can end up costing their life
Adults with a history of child physical abuse or witnessing domestic violence may be more
likely to be violent and involved in criminal activity as they have learned that such behaviour is
an appropriate method for responding to stress or conflict resolution (CFCA).
- Adults may result in violence
- More likely to be in prison/ jail
Oliver (1993), in a review of the research literature, concluded that an estimated one-third of
children who are subjected to child abuse and neglect go on to repeat patterns of abusive
parenting towards their own children (CFCA).
- After one child is abused, this may virtue may be passed down to generation to generation.