Summary: 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/Welts on face, lips, mouth, torso, back, buttocks, thighs • In various stages of healing, clustered, forming regular patterns, reflecting shape of object used • On several different surface areas, regularly appear after absence, weekend or vacation • Unexplained burns (soles, palms, back, buttocks) • Immersion burns (sock like, glove-like, doughnut shaped on b
