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Mandated Reporter

Training

Maryland Children’s Alliance, Inc.

Funding for this presentation was provided to Maryland Children’s Alliance from the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth and Victim Services, Children's Justice Act. Content created by Modify Marketing, LLC.

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Understand the role of MCA and Maryland Child Advocacy Centers
Define the types of child abuse and neglect
Identify groups of children who may be at a higher risk for abuse or neglect
Define Mandated Reporters
Learn how to respond to a child who discloses abuse or neglect
Understand the legal obligations of Mandated Reporters
Learn how to make a report
Understand the process that occurs after a report is made

Training Objectives

Maryland Children’s Alliance, Inc.

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Maryland Children’s Alliance, Inc.

MCA and Maryland’s Child Advocacy Centers are determined to lessen the devastating impact of child abuse and neglect by ensuring that trauma-informed services are available to those who need them.

Maryland Children’s Alliance is the accredited statewide chapter which convenes Maryland's 24 Child Advocacy Centers.

Empowering Maryland's Child Advocacy Centers

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Types of Child Abuse & Neglect

Sexual Assualt

Maryland Children’s Alliance, Inc.

Report Abuse 1-800-91PREVENT

Physical Abuse

Mental Abuse

Sexual Abuse

criminal neglect

Human Trafficking

Neglect

exploitation

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Maryland Statistics 2022

Maryland Children’s Alliance, Inc.

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Maryland CACs served 5,665 children in 2022 for the following types of child maltreatment:

Sexual abuse - 63.8%
Physical abuse - 13.7%
Criminal neglect - 6.9%
Other - 15.6%

“Other” abuse may include witness to violence, witness to drugs, multiple forms of abuse, mental abuse, and trafficking.

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Physical Abuse

Definition

Signs of Physical Abuse

Physical injury (not necessarily visible) of a child under circumstances that indicate that a child’s health or welfare is harmed or at substantial risk of being harmed.

Visible bruises
Unexplained illness or injuries
Parents use harsh physical discipline
Child absent from the classroom
Personal hygiene and/or surroundings are not taken care of
Parent or child is abusing drugs or alcohol

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Physical Abuse is a physical injury (not necessarily visible) of a child under circumstances that indicate that a child’s health or welfare is harmed or at substantial risk of being harmed.

Signs of Physical Abuse

-Visible bruises

-Unexplained illness or injuries

- Frequent injuries;

- Watchful and “on alert,” as if waiting for something bad to happen;

- Shies away from touch, flinches at sudden movements or seems afraid to be at home;

- Wears clothing to cover injuries (long sleeves in summer time, etc.)

-Parents use harsh physical discipline

-Child absent from the classroom

-Personal hygiene and/or surroundings are not taken care of

-Parent or child is abusing drugs or alcohol

It's crucial to emphasize that at times, there may be no observable change in a child's behavior, and no apparent signs indicating that the child is experiencing maltreatment.

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Mental Abuse

Definition

Behavioral & Emotional Signs

Mental injury means the observable, identifiable, and substantial impairment of a child’s mental or psychological ability to function caused by an intentional act or series of acts, regardless of whether there was an intent to harm the child.

Constantly trying to please or attention-seeking
Aggressive, domineering behavior
Unable to trust people
Withdrawn
Telling lies
Inability to have fun
Low self-esteem
Unusual behavior

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Sexual Abuse

Definition

Potential Signs of

Sexual Abuse

An act or acts involving sexual molestation or exploitation whether physical injuries are sustained or not.

Child has difficulty walking or sitting
Experiences bleeding, bruising, or swelling in the genital area
Suddenly refuses to go to school
Reports nightmares or wets the bed
Engages in self-harm
Has a sudden change in appetite
Demonstrates unusual sexual knowledge or behavior

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Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is a specific form of sexual abuse that involves non-consensual sexual contact or activity. Sexual assault is defined as sexual contact with a child when the adult does not have care and custody of the child. It is a criminal offense.

Maryland Children’s Alliance, Inc.

Report Abuse 1-800-91PREVENT

Potential Signs of Sexual Assault

Child has difficulty walking or sitting
Experiences bleeding, bruising, or swelling in the genital area
Suddenly refuses to go to school
Reports nightmares or wets the bed
Engages in self-harm
Has a sudden change in appetite
Demonstrates unusual sexual knowledge or behavior

Definition

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exploitation

Definition

Signs and Indicators of Exploitation

Exploitation can be defined as the act of involving a child for economic or other reasons in criminal activities. Exploitation may take place at the hands of parents, caregivers, neighbors, schoolmates, cults, employers, etc.

Sudden or unexplained changes in behavior, mood swings
Withdrawal or isolation from family and friends
Fear, anxiety, or depression
Unexplained injuries
Sexualized behavior that is not age-appropriate.

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Exploitation can be defined as the act of involving a child for economic or other reasons in criminal activities. Exploitation may take place at the hands of parents, caregivers, neighbors, schoolmates, cults, employers, etc.

Child Sexual Exploitation: This is generally defined as involving a child in a sexual act for commercial gain. Examples include child sexual abuse material, child sex trafficking, sextortion, the live streaming of child sexual abuse, and child sex tourism.

Signs and Indicators of Exploitation:

- Sudden or unexplained changes in behavior, mood swings

- Withdrawal or isolation from family and friends

- Fear, anxiety, or depression

- Unexplained injuries

- Sexualized behavior that is not age-appropriate.

It's important to note that the presence of one or more signs does not definitively indicate exploitation, and some signs may be indicative of other issues. If you suspect a child is being exploited, it is crucial to report your concerns to local child protective services or law enforcement. Professionals trained in child welfare can conduct a thorough assessment to determine the best course of action for the child's safety and well-being.

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Human Trafficking

Child trafficking includes labor and/or sex trafficking. In the United States, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA), defines adult and minor victims of labor trafficking as anyone subjected to the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purposes of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.

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Neglect

Definition

Potential Signs of Neglect

“Neglect” means the leaving of a child unattended or other failure to give proper care and attention to a child by any parent or other person who has permanent or temporary care or custody or responsibility for supervision of the child under circumstances that indicate that the child’s health or welfare is harmed or placed at substantial risk of harm; or mental injury to the child or a substantial risk of mental injury.

Is frequently absent from school
Begs or steals food or money
Lacks needed medical care, including dental or vision care
Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor
Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather
Abuses alcohol or other drugs
States that there is no one at home to provide care

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Criminal Neglect

Definition

Signs and Indicators

of criminal neglect

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Maryland Children’s Alliance, Inc.

Criminal negligence refers to conduct in which a caregiver ignores a known or obvious risk or disregards the life and safety of a child.

Inadequate Supervision
Inadequate hygiene and forms of reckless disregard for the child’s safety and welfare
Failure to provide or to allow needed medical care.

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Risk Factors That Contribute to Child Abuse and Neglect

Factors such as age, overall health, and the child's physical, mental, emotional, and social development can contribute to an increased vulnerability to maltreatment.

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Identifying Grooming Behaviors

Definition

Typical Stages of Grooming:

Child grooming is a deliberate process by which offenders gradually

initiate and maintain sexual relationships with victims in secrecy.

Victim Selection
Gaining Access and Isolating the Victim
Trust Development
Sexualizing the Relationship
Maintaining Control

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Mandated Reporters

Maryland Children’s Alliance, Inc.

Categories of Mandated Reporters:

Health practitioners
Educators
Human service workers
Law enforcement officers

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(not limited to above)

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Responding to a child who discloses abuse or neglect

Empower the Child

Report to Authorities

Don't ask unnecessary questions/details

Express Gratitude

Ensure Privacy

Believe the Child

Stay Calm and Reassuring

Listen Actively

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Maryland Children’s Alliance, Inc.

Understanding the Child Advocacy Center Process

The Child Advocacy Center (CAC)

is a child-friendly facility where professionals

from various agencies and disciplines support the child and family through the investigative process of reporting and prosecuting abuse and the therapeutic process of healing from abuse.

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Following a report of abuse, the child may participate in investigative and therapeutic services at a Child Advocacy Center. The CAC is a safe, child-focused environment. At the CAC, the child tells their story once to a trained interviewer who asks non-leading questions in a way that does not retraumatize the child to learn more about the child’s story. Then, a team that includes medical professionals, law enforcement, mental health, prosecution, child protective services, victim advocacy, and other professionals make decisions together about how to help the child based on the interview. CACs offer therapy and medical exams, plus courtroom preparation, victim advocacy, case management, and other services. This is called the multidisciplinary team (MDT) response and is a core part of the work of CACs.

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Legal Obligations of Mandated Reporter

Each health practitioner, police officer, educator, or human service worker, acting in a professional capacity in Maryland State who has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect:

shall notify the local department of social services or the appropriate law enforcement agency; AND

if acting as a staff member of a hospital, public health agency, child care institution, juvenile detention center, school, or similar institution, shall immediately notify and give all required information to the head of the institution or the designee of the head.

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An individual who notifies the appropriate authorities shall make:

An Oral Report by telephone (call 1-800-91PREVENT) or direct communication, as soon as possible to the local department of social services or appropriate law enforcement agency; AND
A Written Report (Form DHS/SSA 180) to the local department not later than 48 hours after the contact, examination, attention, or treatment that caused the individual to believe that the child had been subjected to abuse or neglect; and a copy of the report to the local State’s Attorney.

Maryland Children’s Alliance, Inc.

Legal Obligations of Mandated Reporter

Report Abuse 1-800-91PREVENT

View Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting Form (DHS/SSA 180)

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an individual who makes a report should include in the report the following information

If known:

the name, age, and home address of the child;
the name and home address of the child’s parent or other person who is responsible for the child’s care;
the whereabouts of the child;
the nature and extent of the abuse or neglect of the child, including any evidence or information available to the reporter concerning possible previous instances of abuse or neglect; and
any other information that would help to determine: the cause of the suspected abuse or neglect; and the identity of any individual responsible for the abuse or neglect.

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Failure to Report

Penalty

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Maryland Children’s Alliance, Inc.

A person who is required to provide notice of suspected abuse or neglect of a child or make a written report of suspected abuse or neglect of a child under § 5–704 of the Family Law Article may not knowingly fail to provide the required notice or make the required written report if the person has actual knowledge of the abuse or neglect.

Mandated Reporter who fails to report suspected child abuse/neglect is subject to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or both.

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Reporter Rights

Any person who makes or participates in making a report of abuse or neglect or a report of a substantial risk of sexual abuse or participates in an investigation or a resulting judicial proceeding shall have the immunity described from civil liability or criminal penalty.

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Maryland Children’s Alliance, Inc.

Information contained in records or reports concerning child abuse or neglect is protected. Federal and State laws restrict the circumstances under which information contained in records and reports may be disclosed. Mandated reporters and local department staff must comply with Maryland confidentiality laws provided in Family Law Article §5-707 and the Human Services Article §§1-201-1-203, Annotated Code of Maryland when asked to disclose or discuss any information contained in records concerning child abuse and neglect.

Confidentiality

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Maryland Children’s Alliance, Inc.

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Understand the process that occurs after a report is made

Report Abuse 1-800-91PREVENT

Receipt of Report

Services and Support

Decision-Making

Legal Action

Case Monitoring

Safety Assessment

Initial Interview

Comprehensive Investigation

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The process that occurs after a child abuse report is made typically involves several key steps to ensure the safety and well-being of the child. The exact process may vary by jurisdiction, but the following is a general overview of the steps involved:

1. Receipt of Report: When a report of suspected child abuse or neglect is made, it is received by the relevant child protective services (CPS) agency, often through a dedicated hotline or reporting system. Reporter also gets a notice that the report has been received by CPS.

2. Safety Assessment: The investigator assesses the immediate safety of the child. If the child is deemed to be at risk, protective measures may be taken, such as removing the child from the home temporarily.

3. Initial Interview: If the report warrants further investigation, a social worker or investigator is assigned to the case. The investigator conducts an initial interview with the child and the child's caregiver(s) to gather more information.

4. Comprehensive Investigation: A comprehensive investigation is conducted to determine the validity of the allegations. This includes interviews with the child, caregivers, witnesses, and other relevant parties.

5. Decision-Making: Based on the investigation, the CPS agency makes a decision regarding the safety of the child and whether any services, interventions, or legal action are necessary.

6. Services and Support: If necessary, the agency may provide services and support to the family, such as parenting classes, counseling, or substance abuse treatment.

7. Legal Action: In cases of severe abuse or neglect, the agency may initiate legal proceedings, which can lead to court-ordered removal of the child from the home or termination of parental rights and/or the maltreater being criminally charged with the crime.

8. Case Monitoring: The agency typically continues to monitor the family and may conduct periodic reassessments to ensure the child's safety and well-being. Additional services may be provided based on the needs of the child and family/caregivers.

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References

Maryland Family Law Code§ 5-701(b); COMAR 07.02.07.02
Maryland Child Protective Services - dhs.maryland.gov
Maryland Family Law Code § 5-701(r)
Maryland Family Law Code § 5-701(y)(z)
Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network
7 FAM 1732
22 U.S. Code § 7102(9)
Maryland Family Law Code § 5-701(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway - Child Neglect: A Guide for Prevention, Assessment, and Intervention
Child Welfare Information Gateway - Child Factors That Contribute to Child Abuse and Neglect
State of Maryland – Child Protective Services- Form DHS/SSA 180 - REPORT OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT
National Children’s Alliance
Maryland Family Law Code §5-704(a),(b),(c)
Maryland Law Criminal Code § 3-602.2
Maryland Family Law Code § 5-708
Maryland Family Law Article §5-707; Human Services Article §§1-201-1-203
Child Welfare Information Gateway - Understand the process that occurs after a report is made

Maryland Children’s Alliance, Inc.

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References

Maryland Children’s Alliance, Inc.

14.National Children’s Alliance

16.Maryland Family Law Code §5-704(a),(b),(c)

17.Maryland Law Criminal Code § 3-602.2

18.Maryland Family Law Code § 5-708

19.Maryland Family Law Article §5-707; Human Services Article §§1-201-1-203

20.Child Welfare Information Gateway - Understand the process that occurs after a report is made

11.Darkness To Light - https://www.d2l.org/child-grooming-signs-behavior- awareness/

12.RAINN- https://www.rainn.org/news/grooming-know-warning-signs

15.National Children’s Alliance - The CAC Model

13.State of Maryland – Child Protective Services- Form DHS/SSA 180 - REPORT OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT