The Case of Suspected Child Abuse

The Case of Suspected Child Abuse

Catherine C. Goble
Tyhee Elementary School
Pocatello, Indiana
89078

ABSTRACT: This activity involves a situation in which two youths become friends. One of the youths appears to be a battered child. The class discusses various avenues that the youth can go through to get help for his friend. This activity includes a writing activity.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To reduce students' victimization through discussion of what constitutes child abuse.

2. To build students' ability to take responsible action on behalf of themselves or their friends.

MATERIALS NEEDED: Copy of the story. Paper and pencils.

TIME: 1 class period

GRADE LEVEL: 4-6 Intermediate

1. Read

David and Scott live in a middle class neighborhood in a small town. David's house is across from Scott's. They started playing together sometimes, when their other friends were not around. They weren't in the same grade at school, Scott being in 4th grade and David in 5th.

Scott began noticing things about David's behavior that puzzled him. David didn't invite Scott over to play at his house very often. He didn't ever ask him to stay all night. He often acted withdrawn and fearful when his father was home. When summer vacation arrived David was always in long pants, not shorts or swimming trunks, like the other kids.

One day several friends decided to play in the water at one of the homes. David joined the other kids enthusiastically. Scott immediately noticed various bruises and welts on David's legs and arms. Scott asked David how he got them and David hesitantly answered that he had fallen on his bike. Scott dropped the matter but felt very strange about David after that.

2. Explain that David, it appears, is a victim of child abuse and that Scott has a decision to make as to how to help his friend. Child abuse is a crime and should be reported to the state's Child Protection Services (See attached information sheet). Explain what constitutes physical abuse. Explain to the students how it is a person's responsibility to report such abuse. This responsibility is a legal one for adults.

3. Ask the students to discuss the various ways Scott might go about helping David (how he could get help for David- what avenues he could go through).

4. Ask the students to discuss the following solutions:

a) Scott tells his parents about David. His parents are concerned
but don't want to get involved.

b) Scott forgets about David's problem and tells himself it is not any of his business.

c) Scott calls his teacher at home and asks her what to do. His teacher contacts David's teacher and she makes a referral to Children's Services to investigate.

d) Scott calls his minister at church to ask her opinion. She questions Scott and Scott's parents and makes a referral to Child Protection Services.

e) Use one of the students' ideas here that they had suggested.

5. Have the students write about how they would deal with this situation and perhaps suggest they write about any child abuse(?) situation they have been involved in and how they felt.

WHEN YOU SUSPECT A CHILD IS BEING ABUSED

1. "Don't mind your own business." The National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse says that agencies alone, no matter how much money they are given, cannot curb abuse and apprehend abusers. The whole community has to care enough to get involved.

2. If a child on the street is crying wildly or exhibiting signs of terror while being handled forcibly by an adult, ask if there is anything you can do. If you encounter suspicious hostility or if the situation does not seem "right", get a policeofficer.

3. If you suspect a neighbor is being stressed as a parent, make a polite inquiry coupled with a specific offer of help, such as, "Please pardon me if I'm being intrusive, but is there anyone I can call? Can I take your child for a few hours today to give you a break?"

4. Know the signs of abuse:

*The child seems unduly afraid of his/her parents, generally fearful, cries often.

*The child shows evidence of repeated skin or other injuries, which are often inappropriately treated (i.e., a large bandage covering a bruise that should get air).

*The child seems undernourished, ill-clothed or dirty.

*The child is described as "different" or "bad" by the parents and does indeed seem "different" in physical or emotional makeup.

*The child is either notably destructive and aggressive or passive and withdrawn.

*The child seems to be the "parent" to his/her parents.

5. If you notice these signs in a child in your child's school or day-care center, speak to the teacher or the director. These people are required by law to report suspected abuse to children's protective services.

6. If you suspect abuse is occurring in your neighborhood, call your local children's protective services, or dial the emergency operator and report the situation. Keep calling until someone comes.

7. If a parent you know is having trouble coping and fears losing control with his/her child, advise the person to call the Parents Anonymous Hotline (1-800-421-0353) for confidential phone support and referral to a local chapter.

*Adapted from Dr. Vincent Fontana's book, "Somewhere a Child Is Crying."