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Reporting Abuse and

Recognizing the Signs

 

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Reporting Abuse and Neglect

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If a child’s life is in danger, you should call 911 immediately. To report any type
of abuse, including child abuse or elder abuse, please call the 24/7 statewide

hotline:
1-855-503-SAFE (7233)

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Suspicion is enough to call the hotline – you don’t have to have evidence or proof
to make a call. Hotline screeners are trained to help guide you through the process.
We know it takes courage to report abuse. You may be a child’s only hope.

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Signs of Child Abuse

1. CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR


Abuse can lead to many changes in behavior. Abused children often appear
scared, anxious, depressed, withdrawn or more aggressive.

2. RETURN TO EARLIER BEHAVIORS

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Abused children may display behaviors shown at earlier ages, such as thumb-sucking, bed-wetting, fear of the dark or fear of strangers. For some children, even loss of acquired language or memory problems may be an issue.

3. FEAR OF GOING HOME

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Abused children may express apprehension or anxiety about leaving school or about going places with the person who is abusing them or exhibit an unusual fear of a familiar person or place.

4. CHANGES IN EATING

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The stress, fear, and anxiety caused by abuse can lead to changes in child’s eating behaviors, which may result in weight gain or weight loss.

5. CHANGES IN SCHOOL PERFORMANCE & ATTENDANCE 

 

Abused children may have difficulty concentrating in school or have excessive absences, sometimes due to adults trying to hide the children’s injuries from authorities.

6. LACK OF PERSONAL CARE & HYGIENE

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Abused and neglected children may appear uncared for. They may present as
consistently dirty and have severe body odor, or they may lack sufficient
clothing for the weather.

7. CHANGES IN SLEEPING

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Abused children may have frequent nightmares or have difficulty falling asleep, and as a result, may appear tired or fatigued.

8. RISK-TAKING BEHAVIOR

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Young people who are being abused may engage in high-risk activities such as using drugs or alcohol or carrying a weapon.

9. INNAPROPRIATE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR

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Children who have been sexually abused may exhibit overly sexualized behavior or use explicit sexual language and may exhibit symptoms of a genital infection.

10. UNEXPLAINED INJURIES

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Children who have been physically abused may exhibit unexplained burns or bruises in the shape of objects. You may also hear unconvincing explanations of a child’s injuries.

If a Child Discloses Abuse or Neglect

What to do:

  • Allow the child to use his/her own words to describe the incident

  • Assure the child they are not to blame for what happened

  • Treat the child normally

  • Take care of the child’s emotional needs

  • Listen and take notes

  • Allow the child to talk about the incident if they bring it up

  • Write down concerns and questions for Child Protective Services, police officers, and therapists

  • Love and support the child

  • Call the child abuse hotline and make a report: 855-503-SAFE (7233)

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What not to do:

  •  Use your language to help the child describe what happened 

  • Try to interview or investigate

  • Overreact

  • Express fear, anger, or anxiety

  • Initiate conversation about the incident

  • Let personal feelings influence the child

  • Reward child for giving information

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Please refer to the following website for more information on reporting child
abuse or neglect in the state of Oregon

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