A Child Abuse Investigator Offers Tips for Educators

Studies suggest many children are victims of unreported emotional abuse. Unlike neglect, where evidence may be obvious, emotional abuse is hard to diagnose and often more difficult to prove in court due to the complexities of what characterizes it.

A child who is exposed to domestic violence-perhaps witnessing a parent or sibling being physically abused-can also be a victim of emotional abuse. Research indicates children exposed to and witnessing domestic violence suffer long-term emotional damage. Investigating the destructive consequences of psychological abuse on partners and children, University of Georgia researcher Ileana Arias has concluded that psychological abuse harms future parenting ability and children's emotional well-being.(5)

Sixteen-year-old Jeff bragged to friends he was homeless. Jeff's teacher questioned him. He had a trusting relationship with her and admitted his alcoholic mother had kicked him out of the house. He confessed that his mom was verbally abusive and often, during drunken stupors, hit him with objects. He assured his teacher he was safe and staying with friends. He didn't want intervention and was glad to be away from his mother's chronic alcoholism and verbal abuse.

Was Jeff really homeless? Not really. Should the teacher report? Only after further investigation to clarify the numerous dynamics often involved in parent-teen relationships. The parent-teen relationship is fraught with pitfalls that are difficult for teachers and child abuse investigators to unravel. Does Jeff have any visible bruising or injuries? If so, then the teacher should report. Will mom allow him to return home? Is another family-friends, neighbors, or relatives-available to help Jeff and his mom? If not, then the teacher should report this as a case of suspected neglect.

Sexual abuse. According to CAPTA, sexual abuse is the "employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of any child to engage in, or assist any other person to engage in, any sexually explicit conduct or simulation of such conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct."(6)

Sexual abuse includes any interactions between a child and adult caretaker in which the child is used for the sexual stimulation of the perpetrator or another person. Sexual abuse may also be committed by a person under the age of 18 when that person is either significantly older than the victim or when the perpetrator is in a position of power or control over the child.

Over several weeks, the teacher noticed 12-year-old April began to withdraw into a world of silence and unprovoked angry outbursts. Her grades plummeted to near failing, and she often didn't come to school or participate in activities she normally enjoyed. April began to dress provocatively and was often overheard talking about sexual matters with students. Eventually, after much encouraging, the teacher was able to talk to April, who confided her stepfather was molesting her. The teacher contacted CPS immediately and informed April of the call.

Credits: Children's Voice Article, November 2001