Child Abuse, Prevention, and Mandatory Reporting
Course Description
Child abuse is a national and international issue that has serious long-term consequences for the child and the community. A social problem that has existed for thousands of years, child abuse in all its forms first became a topic of national interest in the 1960s with the advocacy of Henry Berge, founder of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Today, there is a system of laws in all 50 states that now define what constitutes abuse and neglect and who is mandated to report abuse.
Purpose/GoalThe outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the types of abuse; signs, symptoms, and risk factors of abuse; and pertinent elements of the laws impacting mandatory reporting of abuse and neglect.
Course Objectives – Upon completion you will be able to do the following:
- Describe the national and international scope of child abuse.
- Define the types of child abuse.
- State the signs, symptoms, and risk factors of various types of child abuse.
- Identify characteristics of a child abuse perpetrator.
- State the physical and emotional consequences of abuse on children.
- Describe ways to talk with a child about abuse.
- Explain the concept of “reasonable cause to suspect.”
- Describe important factors in collecting evidence of abuse.
- Explain elements of child abuse reporting laws for mandatory reporters and others.
- Describe barriers to reporting child abuse.
- Describe “safe haven laws.”
- Identify key factors for the prevention of child abuse.
CONTACT HOURS–2.0
