Suspected Child Abuse and the Teacher´s Role in Reporting it

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Teachers Role in Reporting Suspected Child Abuse

The maltreatment and neglect of children and youth has increasingly come to be perceived as a social blight. As with most social problems, child abuse influences our school systems. Children that are being emotionally, physically and sexually abused often use school as a cop out. These children spend around thirty hours a week in a safe, enjoyable and carefree environment, however within these thirty hours teachers must be taking the time to make observations. Teachers have the ability to compare current behaviors with peers, norms and past behaviors of their students. Therefore, teachers are an important role in reporting cases of child abuse or maltreatment. If a teacher fails to report suspected signs of abuse, they can be eligible to a fine up to one thousand dollars (Children’s Aid Society, 2001). More programs, in-services and support need to be given to these teachers in order for them to feel comfortable reporting suspected child abuse and for them to know the proper way to report their suspicions.
Physical abuse is a non-accidental injury inflicted on a child from a caregiver. If a child is being physically abuse, he or she may experience severe beatings, burns,
Strangulation, or human bites (Cates & Markell, 1995). If a child has been severely beaten, the perpetrator will try to cover up the bruises, scares or welts. This means that a child may be sent to school on a hot summer day...

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