Intro
Reporting Requirements
Types
Talking to
a Child
Making the
Report
Conclusion
Reporting Requirements
Reporting requirements vary slightly for a few groups. This training has been adapted specifically for UW-Extension volunteers and employees. Click the UW-Extension logo below to continue.
Threatened Abuse/Neglect
Define
Recognize
Practice
Listen to audio
There is no statutory definition for the phrase “threatened with abuse or neglect,” so common-sense definitions are applied. “Threatened abuse and neglect” refers to behaviors or conditions the child is exposed to that are dangerous to the child and likely to result in abuse or neglect.
Remember when we were defining physical abuse — the example of the man beating his wife while their toddler hangs on to her leg? If the child is injured, it is physical abuse. If the child is not injured, it is threatened abuse, as a reasonable person could predict such behavior could result in serious injury to the child.
Threatened abuse or neglect also includes instances when someone verbally threatens to injure a child, if you believe he or she is serious about carrying out the threat.
You can download a printable copy of the questions shown below. (PDF)
Threatened Abuse/Neglect Scenarios
1) You are a UW-Extension volunteer and you require students to keep a journal and to write about suggested topics. You review students’ journal entries periodically throughout the course. When reviewing a student’s journal, you discover that, in response to a prompt about power differentials in relationships, the student — 19-year-old Brett — has written that his father would beat him, causing welts and bruises, when Brett didn’t do something exactly as his dad wanted. Nobody could do anything right for his dad. Not even his mother. When you ask, he says he used to run interference for his 13- and 15-year-old brothers, taking the beating, but now he’s worried that without him there his brothers might be really getting it. His mother is too scared to do anything.
Are you required to report?
Correct: You are required to report.
Brett is an adult, but there are still two children in the home. Even though we don’t know if the father has beaten the other two boys, Brett has described a situation where a reasonable person would conclude that there is a real danger of that. Therefore, at a minimum, there is reasonable cause to suspect that there are children in the home who are threatened with physical abuse and who are in danger.
Incorrect: You are required to report.
Brett is an adult, but there are still two children in the home. Even though we don’t know if the father has beaten the other two boys, Brett has described a situation where a reasonable person would conclude that there is a real danger of that. Therefore, at a minimum, there is reasonable cause to suspect that there are children in the home who are threatened with physical abuse and who are in danger.
1) You are a doctor at Urgent Care where you see 3-year-old Brandon whose parents have brought him in suffering an asthma attack. You immediately put him on a nebulizer until his lungs open up and he can breathe easily. Both parents smoke and have been informed in the past that smoking can cause an asthma attack. You again attempt to instruct the parents about preventative care, medication and the need to provide a smoke-free environment. The parents show no understanding of the seriousness of the situation, little concern for Brandon’s health (instead they show irritation that the father had to take off of work), and no interest in learning what they have to do to prevent another asthma attack. After the parents leave with Brandon, your nurse tells you she saw them both light cigarettes in the parking lot and get into their car.
Are you required to report?
Correct: You are required to report.
A certain level of care in the home is necessary to prevent further asthma attacks which can result in Brandon’s death. All indications are that the parents will not provide that level of care. Therefore, there is reasonable cause to suspect either neglect (lack of necessary care that seriously endangers the physical health of child) or, at a minimum, threatened neglect.
Incorrect: You are required to report.
A certain level of care in the home is necessary to prevent further asthma attacks which can result in Brandon’s death. All indications are that the parents will not provide that level of care. Therefore, there is reasonable cause to suspect either neglect (lack of necessary care that seriously endangers the physical health of child) or, at a minimum, threatened neglect.
2) You get a phone call from the mother of Jenna, an 8-year-old in your class. This is what the mother tells you: Jenna said another girl in the class — Annie — was talking about how she got a fancy new watch from her mom’s boyfriend Cal. All she had to do was lift her shirt up, that it’s just a secret game they play, and that Cal was going to be her boyfriend too. Jenna’s mom is sure that Jenna did not make that up. You talk to Annie. She’s very uncomfortable and a bit scared, but she confirms the story, insisting that “it’s just a game we play.”
Are you required to report?
Correct: You are required to report.
The behavior that Annie described does not fit any of the definitions of sexual abuse; however Cal’s behavior, if accurately described, is very concerning. It appears that he’s teaching Annie to behave in a seductive way towards him and rewarding her with presents. And he’s telling her to keep it a secret. His behavior is consistent with someone “grooming” a child to be receptive to sexual abuse. Therefore, there is reasonable cause to suspect, at a minimum, that Annie is threatened with sexual abuse and that sexual abuse will occur.
Incorrect: You are required to report.
The behavior that Annie described does not fit any of the definitions of sexual abuse; however Cal’s behavior, if accurately described, is very concerning. It appears that he’s teaching Annie to behave in a seductive way towards him and rewarding her with presents. And he’s telling her to keep it a secret. His behavior is consistent with someone “grooming” a child to be receptive to sexual abuse. Therefore, there is reasonable cause to suspect, at a minimum, that Annie is threatened with sexual abuse and that sexual abuse will occur.
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