With most kids now back to school, it's important for parents to make sure their children are staying safe.
KENS 5's Stacia Willson caught up with Dr. Nancy Kellogg, Professor and Division Chief of Child Abuse at the University of Texas Health Science Center Department of Pediatrics, to discuss some ways to keep children our of harm's way.
Q: What are some things to be aware of when it comes to preventing child abuse at the start of a new school year?
A: At home, there is a lot of excitement and changes in schedules, which can produce added stress and fatigue. It is a time to stop and remember to be patient and understanding as everyone gets used to the changes.
Remember that stress and fatigue can lead to short tempers and rash words or actions.
At school, children should pay close attention to the rules, especially about where they can go and when. They should get to know their teachers so they feel comfortable talking to them, and talk to their parents about anything that makes them feel uncomfortable, sad or scared.
Q: What approach should a parent take when it comes to talking to a child about any kind of abuse, especially sexual?
A: The better the communication between parent and child, the better the protection that the child has against abusers.
Parents should remember to spend time talking to their child about the good AND the bad parts of the child’s day so children know they can talk to their parents about anything.
It is important for children to know that they can say “no” if a situation becomes uncomfortable for them, and they should always tell a parent or trusted adult when that occurs.
Q: What kind of safety rules should parents teach their children in order to help prevent abuse?
A: They should not be alone with an adult unless their parent knows about it. Never get into a car or walk away with an adult you don’t know well.
Abusers look for children they think will “keep the secret” and will do what they are told so children who are confident, who know the safety rules and are good at expressing what they do not like are not appealing to abusers.
You want your child to advertise the message “I tell” to people who might abuse them.
Q: What kind of physical or behavioral signs should parents watch out for when it comes to child abuse?
A: With sexual abuse, there is usually no physical sign because injuries tend to be very small and heal quickly and completely. With physical abuse, patterned bruises that reflect a hand or belt mark on the face, back and buttocks are among the most common signs of physical abuse.
Behavioral signs are more difficult to evaluate because there are many causes for behaviors children may have. Sexual behavior that is intrusive or hurtful emotionally or physically is very concerning and may indicate sexual abuse, physical abuse or even domestic violence in the home.
Children who become withdrawn or who become physically aggressive or angry may be responding to stress due to abuse or other causes.
The most important thing to remember about physical and behavioral signs is that they are not always indicators of abuse, but rather are signals that the parent or a professional should talk with the child to determine the cause or source of the injury or behavior.
Q: What should a parent do if they suspect their child has been abused?
A: They should talk to the child, but in a non-threatening, non-suggestive way. If parents are too intense or distressed, children will be afraid to say if they have been abused.
“Non-suggestive” questioning means that the question does not suggest anything about the kind of answer the parent expects. For example, “Did someone hurt you?” suggests that the parent thinks a person caused the injury. “How did you get that bruise?” is a better question because it does not suggest a cause.
It is important for the parent to remember that they do not need to question their child extensively, just enough to establish whether abuse may have occurred. At that point, the parent should call Child Protective Services or law enforcement to report suspected abuse, or take the child to a hospital with pediatric specialists.
Q: What should a parent do if they suspect someone they know is abusing children?
A: The law in Texas is that “any person” who thinks a child may have been abused is required to report to Child Protective Services or law enforcement. You do not need proof to report.
Q: How should working parents look for the right day care or babysitter to take care of the kids after school?
A: It is important to speak with other individuals who have used the day care/babysitter. While abuse is always a concern, it is less common in day care/babysitter settings than in the home.
In day cares, neglect is a concern if the caretaker-child ratio is too high, if the day care is not registered or inspected, or if there is poor organization/oversight.
Q: What is the No. 1 indicator that a child is currently being abused or has been in the past?
A: This is a very hard question to answer. The most common type of abuse is physical abuse, and the most common injury seen with physical abuse is bruises, usually caused by an object or a hand.
The most common type of child maltreatment is neglect, and the most common indicator of neglect is a demonstrated pattern of failing to provide for or protect a child, resulting in serious or repetitive harm or compromise in health and well-being.
