When Should I Call Child Protective Services

Delight Help Forbid Child Corruption in Grand Rapids

Child Abuse is real and it happens in Chiliad Rapids.

It happens in Kent County. It happens in West Michigan.

And even though the thought of harming a child turns your tum and makes yous cringe, realize that y'all may be the just lifeline for a child in your life.

That kid NEEDS yous to see him. She needs you to advocate for her.

Y'all probably have hesitations near reporting someone. You don't want to become a skilful mom or dad in trouble. You've heard horror stories about Child Protective Services taking kids away for reasons you lot don't agree with.

But child abuse and fail is a prevalent problem in our community and you accept a function in responding to information technology. In 2020, 1,933 children ages 0-17 were abused or neglected in Kent County.

Children are vulnerable, and they depend on united states for protection. The impacts of child corruption and fail last for a lifetime, but they are likewise 100% preventable.

How Do I Know information technology's Child Abuse?

Many people hesitate to intervene in a situation because they aren't sure if what they saw actually "qualifies" as abuse. Here are some parameters to know and follow:

Legal definition of kid corruption:

"Harm or threatened harm to a child's health or welfare that occurs through non-adventitious physical or mental injury, sexual corruption, sexual exploitation, or maltreatment" …by the person responsible for the kid's intendance.

Corruption can be:

Concrete
Emotional
Sexual

Legal definition of kid fail:

The "failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical care." Neglect can also be divers as "a parent/guardian's…failure to arbitrate to eliminate that run a risk when that person is able to do then and has, or should have, the knowledge of the adventure."

Failure to protect
Improper supervision
Abandonment
Medical neglect

Signs of Concrete Child Corruption

Bruises that conflicts with explanation of injury
Unexpected bruises, welts or loop marks in various stages of healing
Seize with teeth marks
Bald spots/missing clumps of hair
Swollen lips/chipped teeth
Crescent shaped bruises (acquired by pinching)
Horse shoe shaped welts (caused past lighter burns)
Puncture wounds
Bruising behind the ear
Cocky-destructive/self-mutilation
Withdrawn
Aggressive
Uncomfortable with physical contact
Arrives at school late
Chronic running abroad
Complains of soreness
Wears inappropriate clothing to cover torso
Lacks impulse command

Signs of Sexual Abuse

Pain or itching in genital area
Difficulty sitting/standing
Bruising or bleeding in genital areas
Sexually transmitted infections
Pregnancy
Frequent urinary or yeast infections
Sudden or unexplained weight modify
Withdrawn
Chronic depression
Sexual behaviors and references unusual for age
Seductive/promiscuous behavior
Poor self-esteem
Lack of self-conviction
Suicidal tendencies

Signs of Kid Fail

Unattended medical needs
Lack of supervision
Consistent hunger
Inappropriate clothes
Poor hygiene
Inappropriate supervision
Sudden or unexplained weight change
Inappropriate food items
Regular displays of fatigue
Falling asleep in class
Steals, hoards or begs for food
Reports no caretaker is home
Overly dependent on teacher
Asks for lots of help
Stays at school/activities for extended periods of time

What Can I Practice to Help Forestall Child Corruption?

If you doubtable that a child is being driveling or neglected, you lot should report information technology immediately.

If the kid is at risk of immediate harm, or you witness the child being harmed, call the police – Dial 911.

Stories of when Mandated Reporters called 911

I witnessed a kid, around 8 years old, be punched in the face by his father at a Big Boy eatery. I notified the manager, informing him that I was required to report witnessing this and he did his best to keep the pair there until the law arrived.
A teen from my Girl Scout troop disclosed during an overnight that she was existence raped by her older brother. Her older brother was supposed to selection her up in the morn. I chosen 911 that evening and police agreed to meet me the scheduled pick-up location in the morning.
In running an later school program, ane of the attendees disclosed he was scared that his mom was going to dice that evening. When asked why he said, "She told united states of america she was going to impale herself and I really retrieve she's going to do information technology this time." I chosen CPS who encouraged me to also call 911 and have an officer in that location when the mom picked upwards the kids. Together, the officeholder and the school counselor met with the mom, who was quickly taken to Pine Rest for support and her children were able to stay with their aunt while their mother got the support she needed.

If the child is non in immediate danger, or you accept not witnessed the impairment start hand, telephone call Child Protective Services.

Michigan law states that anyone with "reasonable cause to suspect child corruption or neglect shall make immediately…an oral report." You exercise not take to have proof that a child is beingness driveling or fail in guild to file a written report. If you lot suspect that something is wrong, err on the side of circumspection and make the call.

How Exercise I Report?

You can file an oral study by calling Kid Protective Services (CPS) at 855-444-3911.

During the phone call, CPS will ask y'all questions such as the child's total name, age, and race; the perpetrator'south full proper noun and human relationship to the child, and the child's address, and what you lot are calling to study. Even if you don't have all the data, don't allow that stop yous from making a report!

The most of import things to tell CPS during your telephone call are who the victim is, where they can find the victim, and what happened.

Prevent child abuse become a mandated reporter

4 Ways to Keep Your Child Safe from Child Abuse

A few guidelines for keeping your own kiddos condom:

i. Teach Kids Nearly Private Parts

Your child needs to empathise what parts of his or her body are considered "private." The Swimsuit Lesson by Jon Holsten is one of my favorite books on this topic. The author is a retired law sergeant and former investigator of child sex crimes. It is written in very simple terms for kids and also has a separate parent section.

Inquiry conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that approximately 1 in six boys and i in 4 girls are sexually abused before the age of 18.

According to the U.Due south. Department of Justice, approximately 30% of perpetrators of sexual abuse are family members andalmost threescore% are known to the child but are not family members (family friends, babysitters, child care providers, neighbors, etc.). That means that ninety% of child abuse comes from someone that the child already knows.

So aye, this is worth talking about.

Here is a previous article I wrote on the topic of talking near sex with your kiddos.

two. Teach Kids That They can say No to an Developed

Tell an say-so figure "no" can be tough for kids. Talk to your kids about when they should obey adults (nearly always) and when information technology's okay to not obey. They practise Not have to "proceed a secret" with an adult if it makes them uncomfortable. They do not take to say, come across, or do anything with an adult that makes them feel uncomfortable, peculiarly if involves their body or an developed'south.

iii. Listen to the Little Voice in Your Caput

This communication is for both kids and parents. If y'all get a weird feeling nearly a family member of ane of your child's friends, don't allow them play at their house. While I am certainly not advocating that we all go effectually being super judgmental of others, when it comes to the safe and well-being of your child, you need to go with your gut. We all take a sense of what is right and wrong. We all accept that lilliputian vocalisation in our heads that says, "I'm non and so certain about this…"

My married man and I talk to our kids about this all the time. Nosotros tell that them that "if something makes you uncomfortable, get yourself out of that situation right away."

Kids need to have an "out" in those situations.Brand sure your child knows what to do if they observe themselves in an uncomfortable or unsafe situation. Besides make sure they know that they volition never be in trouble for telling you about something that made them uncomfortable or calling yous to take you come option them up from a friend's house because they are uncomfortable.

Many of y'all probably saw this article floating around recently; this is a swell strategy for parents to use with older kids.

four. Assistance Kids Place Safe Adults

Every bit much equally we want our kids to talk to us about everything, nosotros tin't be the only safe adult in their lives.Talk to your kids about who they can talk to if they need to. Encourage your kids to brand a listing of those adults and post it somewhere they will see if every mean solar day. These adults could be a grandparent, instructor, family friend, autobus, parent of a friend, school advisor, etc.

Where to Turn if You Suspect Your Child has Been a Victim of Child Abuse

The Children'due south Assessment Center of Kent County is your resource if you suspect kid abuse. If your child has had a significant modify in behavior and/or has exhibited sexualized behavior and you do not know why,the Child Cess Eye tin do a behavior assessment to help determine where the behavior is coming from.

They tin can likewise help if you are wondering if your child is displaying age appropriate behavior or are wondering what age appropriate behavior looks like.

Four Things to Know About the Children's Advocacy Heart

We wish that no 1 would ever accept to visit theChildren's Advancement Center but if you practice, here is some helpful data:

It'southward Free. You don't have to pay hither to investigate whether your child has been abused. If your child has been exhibiting sexualized or questionable behavior, call at present to make an date. The Children'southward Advocacy Center's skilled professionals regularly deal with young children through preteens to sift fact from fiction. The CAC tin likewise help yous make up one's mind what is appropriate behavior for your kid'due south age.
It's Safe. Your data and the data of your children will be kept confidential. Doors remain locked and entry is only granted by date. Kent Canton detectives are located in the aforementioned building, equally are Child Protective Service Workers, should they exist needed.
It'south Local. The Children'southward Advancement Center is at 2855 Michigan St NE, G Rapids, MI 49506. You can telephone call them at (616) 336-5160.
You Won't Need Childcare. When you bring a kid in to be assessed, trained office staff and a fully stocked child-friendly lobby are ready for your other children.

Accept Mandated Reporter Grooming

Certain professions that take regular contact with children have been designated as Mandated Reporters.A mandated reporter is a person who is legally obligated to report suspected child abuse or fail. Mandated reporters fall into this category based on their profession. The following are some examples of people who are mandated reporters:

Audiologist
Dentist and/or Dental Hygienist
Clergy
Law Enforcement Officer
Licensed Counselor
Licensed Emergency Medical Intendance Provider
Marriage and Family Therapist
Medical Examiner
Nurse
Physician and/or Doctor Banana
Psychologist
Regulated Child Care Provider
School Administrator
School Counselor or Teacher
Licensed Social Worker
Social Service Technician
Students in Coursework Programs Working with Minors

Mandated Reporter training is not express to these professions, however. Anyone, including you lot, tin become a Mandated Reporter.

Mandated Reporter Grooming trains professionals, students and community members not only how to written report kid corruption and neglect, but also how to recognize information technology. Grooming includes the Child Protection Law, responsibilities of Mandated Reporters, indicators of child corruption/fail, and information on Children'southward Protective Services.

For an online Mandated Reporter Training, the Care Business firm of Oakland County offers an online training gratuitous of charge.

If you'd adopt an in person training, please contact Michael Lhamon through the Michigan Department of Health and Homo Services by emailing him at[email protected] or call 616-443-0876. Additionally, y'all can check out the MDHHS website for additional online resources.

The Children's Advocacy Center provides mandated reporter training throughout the year. To schedule personalized training for your business or arrangement, please visit their Professional and Community Training page, or contact Prevention and Outreach Director, Misti. They also offer sessions that are open to anyone in the community.

Helpful Resources

Michigan Department of Wellness & Homo Services –Contains information near how to report child abuse and neglect and what happens after CPS receives a study.
Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect –A helpful guide nigh the signs of potential child abuse and fail.

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