Abuse and Neglect Indicators Training
Protecting Children, Elders and Adults with Disabilities
Instructor: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes PhD, LPC-MHSP, LMHC
Executive Director: AllCEUs Counselor Education
Podcast Host: Counselor Toolbox and Happiness Isn’t Brain Surgery
Objectives
• Define terms related to sexual, physical, mental and financial abuse and neglect of children and adults
• Identify signs of abuse or neglect in the victim as well as in the caregivers
• Learn about mandatory reporting
• Identify resources for the most up-to-date reporting guidelines
Definitions
• Definition of a child
• A Person less than 18 years old
• Definition of an elder
• Person 60 years AND SUFFERING from infirmities or aging as manifested by:
• advanced age (75 years or older) OR
• organic brain damage (delirium, dementia) OR
• other physical, mental, or emotional dysfunction in which person’s ability to care for self is impaired
Definitions of a Caretaker
• PARENT (Biological, foster or adoptive)
• ADULT HOUSEHOLD MEMBER(found in the home continually)
• ANOTHER ADULT( entrusted with; assumed responsibility)
• ANOTHER CHILD (employee or volunteer of daycare, private school, agency, camp, similar facility)
Disabled Adult
• A person 18 years or older AND suffers from a condition of physical or mental incapacitation due to:
• developmental disability
• organic brain damage
• mental illness
• one or more physical and/or mental limitations that substantially restrict the ability to function in activities of daily life (ADLs)
ABUSE
• Non-accidental infliction of physical or psychological injury or sexual abuse by parent, adult household member, or other person responsible for care of child
• Non-accidental action by a relative, caregiver or household member which causes or reasonably be expected to cause, physical or psychological injury or sexual abuse.
• Actively encouraging another person to commit an injurious act upon an elderly person or disabled adult
NEGLECT
• Failure/omission by a caretaker to provide the care, supervision, services or protection necessary to maintain physical and mental health
Note: This may include witnessing domestic violence or illicit drug use
• Repeated or single act of carelessness that causes or can be expected to cause serious physical, psychological injury, sexual abuse or substantial risk of death
THREATENED HARM
• SITUATION, CIRCUMSTANCES, or BEHAVIOR which lead person to have reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect has occurred or may occur in the immediate future if no intervention is provided.
SELF NEGLECT
• OMISSION or FAILURE of elderly or disabled person to maintain their own physical/mental health which is deemed essential for his/her well-being.
• This may include not taking medication as prescribed and substance abuse
EXPLOITATION
• May or may not stand in a position of trust and confidence to the victim, and
• Acts knowingly, by deception or intimidation, and
• knows or should know the victim lacks capacity to consent, and
• Intends to temporarily or permanently deprive the victim of funds, assets or property for the benefit of someone other than the victim
Physical Abuse
Physical Abuse – Type
• Burning
• Beating
• Kicking
• Punching/Slapping
• Shaking (especially infants)
• Misuse of medication
• Approximately 24 states have specific reporting procedures for cases of suspected substance-exposed infants.
• Standard reporting procedures apply in those states that statutorily define infant drug exposure as child abuse and neglect but have no specific reporting procedures for substance-exposed infants
Physical Indicators
• Unexplained Bruises/Welt