1. By Steve Cole
2015 Eastern Oregon EMS Conference
Child Abuse: An EMS
Nightmare
2. Info
Last Revised 02-01-2015
For Info contact Steve Cole at:
croaker260@gmail.com
No disclosures
No conflicts
3. “There is no more
fundamental test of a society
than how it treats its
children.”
— Ronald Reagan
4. Learning Outcomes
Recognize 4 major categories of
Child Abuse
Understand reporting requirements
of abuse.
Understand common presentations
of abuse
Understand common misidentified
abuse.
Understand the EMS providers role
in providing treatment to victims of
abuse
6. Centuries of Child
Maltreatment
1874 - 1st Legal Case
1900 - Juvenile Justice System
1962 - “Battered Child
Syndrome
1963 - 1st Reporting Laws
1974 - US Child Abuse and
Prevention Act (CAPTA)
1980’s - Sexual Abuse Laws
7.
8. Mary Ellen 1
year later
Mary Ellen's story ended
well.
She was taken to an
upstate New York farm to
be raised with other
children in a safe and
happy home.
She later married and had
two children and adopted a
third little girl.
Two of the children
became schoolteachers
Mary Ellen lived to be 92.
9. Statistics*
United States – 2013*
3.5 million referrals/reports, involving 6.4 million
children reported abused/neglected
79.5% Neglect,
18% Physical,
19% Sexual,
8.7% were psychologically/emotionally abused
*Child Maltreatment 2013: US. National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect
10. Statistics*
Idaho – 2013*
10,542 (14% increase in 5 years) reported abused/neglected
1,674 substantiated victims
74% Neglect, 21.8% Physical, 1.8 psychological/emotional , 5.9% Sexual
Oregon – 2013*
40,047 reported abused/neglected
10,280 substantiated
50.7% Neglect (1.3% medical neglect) , 13.5% Physical, 1.8 psychological/emotional, 8.3%
Sexual
Washington – 2013*
43,494 (15% increase in 5 years) reported abused/neglected
7,132 substantiated
89% Neglect, 20% Physical, 7% Sexual, no data for psychological/emotional.
*Child Maltreatment 2013: US. National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse
and Neglect
11. More Facts Today, children are eight
to ten times more likely
to be abused in the foster
care system than in their
own homes
(Toth, 1997; Spencer &
Knudsen, 1992; Pryor,
1991; American Civil
Liberties Union, 1994;
Bolton, et al., 1981)
Remember , Mary Ellen
was in FOSTER CARE!
12. The National Center on Child Abuse
and Neglect estimates:
* For children 1-6 months of
age, abuse is the second
leading cause of death
behind Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome (SIDS).
For children 1-5 years of
age, abuse is second only to
accidents as the cause of
death.
13. Childhood Mortality
Homicide is the only leading
cause of childhood death that
has increased in the past 30
years.
It accounts for 5% of all
deaths in children, but only
1% of deaths in adults
14. Domestic Violence and Child
Maltreatment
(Oregon State University, July 2000 Study):
Domestic Violence (DV) in the home
occurred in 38% of confirmed cases of child
maltreatment
DV immediately proceeded child
maltreatment in 78% of the confirmed cases
Children under age 5 are disproportionately
present in homes with DV (Fantuzzo & Mohr, 1999)
15. Victims of Maltreatment
Child abuse and neglect affects all
children of all ages.
1999 - 2,974,000 children referred in the US.*
62% Female
14%/1000 were age 0-3 yrs.
25%/1000 were African/American
(*Child Maltreatment 1999: US. National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and
Neglect)
16. Contributing Factors -
Victim
Less than 5 years of
age
Prematurity/multiple
births
Chronic health
problems
Developmentally
delayed
ADD/ADHD
Child Irritability
17.
18. Perpetrator
“Someone who
maltreats a child while
in a caretaking
relationship to the
child”
79% One or both parents
9% “Other” relatives
60% Female
(*Child Maltreatment 1999: US. National
Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect)
19.
20. Contributing Factors - Perpetrator
Substance abuse
Poverty/Unemployment
Poor coping/parenting skills
Immaturity
Poor Education
History of abuse/domestic
violence
Behavioral
/Psych/Depression
Social Isolation
21. Determining
Maltreatment
Is the history
consistent with the
injury pattern?
Is the history
vague or
changing?
Is the history
consistent with
child’s
developmental
22. Suspicious Signs
unexplained
injuries;
poor hygiene;
inadequate
nutrition;
failure to thrive;
lack of
supervision or
abandonment;
destructive
behavior;
sleep or speech
disorders;
difficulty walking
or sitting;
pain or bleeding
in the genital
area;
and venereal
disease.
24. Child Maltreatment
“…the physical or mental injury, sexual
abuse or exploitation, negligence or
maltreatment of a child under the age of
18…by persons responsible for the
child’s welfare.”*
*US Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act
25. Types of Child Abuse
Neglect - failure to meet basic needs
Some states also list “Medical Neglect”
Physical - intentional infliction of physical
injury
Sexual - sexual contact or exploitation
Emotional - behaviors resulting in humiliation,
rejection, fear, isolation, etc.
26. Neglect
“Failure to provide
the basic
necessities of life”
Food
Clothing
Shelter
Safe Environment
Medical/Dental
Care
27.
28. Physical Maltreatment
“Any act committed by an adult or
person in authority over a child that
results in intentional physical injury to
the child”
29. Common Types of injuries
(not all inclusive)
welts;
burns;
bites;
strangulation;
broken bones;
internal injuries;
cigarette burns;
immersion
burns;
and/ or dry
burns
30. Bruising/Contusions
“Any bruise may be intentional”
“Common” bruising
Occurs on extensor
skin surfaces
Occurs over bony,
non-fatty areas
Usually isolated and
poorly defined
“Suspicious” bruising
Occurs on fatty areas
or areas covered by
clothing, diapers
Pattern marks
Multiple bruises in
various stages of
healing
51. Skeletal Injuries
“Any fracture may be intentional”
“Common”
fractures
Clavicle
Wrist
Forearm
Lower leg
“Suspicious”
fractures
Long bones
Metaphyseal
fractures
Ribs
Spiral Fractures
52. Head Trauma
“Any head injury may be intentional”
“Common” head
injury
Simple skull
fracture
“Suspicious” head
trauma
Simple skull fracture
in infant
Complex skull
fracture
Subdural/Epidural
hematoma
Sudden CNS
53. Shaken Baby Syndrome
“Caused by VIGOROUS shaking of infant or
small child”
Tearing/shredding of small
cerebral blood vessels and neurons
Sudden or rapid CNS involvement
Retinal hemorrhage
54. Can CPR cause Retinal
hemorrhages?
Retinal hemorrhages are rarely found after chest
compressions in patients with non-traumatic
illnesses, and those retinal hemorrhages that are
found appear to be different from the
hemorrhages found in the shaken baby syndrome.
Prevalence of retinal hemorrhages in pediatric patients after in-hospital
cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a prospective study.
Pediatrics. 1997 Jun;99(6):E3
55. Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy
Manufacturing illness or disease by
fabricating symptoms
Intentionally harming a child in order to
produce injury or symptoms of illness
Consider all sources for the illness or injury.
Nothing is too far-fetched.
56. Sexual Maltreatment
“Any sexual contact or
exposure to sexual stimuli
to a child, rendered by an
adult or older person.”
Encompasses a broad
spectrum of acts
Image courtesy of "Jones Wilson LLP - Personal Injury Lawyer." Jones
Wilson LLP Sexual Abuse Comments. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.
<http://www.joneswilson.com/las-vegas/sexual-abuse/>.
59. Ritual Abuse
“A bizarre form of child maltreatment in which
the child may be forced to witness or
participate in various acts of sexual and/or
physical violence”
Rare
Community hysteria
McMartin case
64. Reporting Child
Maltreatment
Idaho Code 16-1619
“Any physician, resident…intern, nurse, coroner,
school teacher, day care personnel, social
worker, or other person having reason to
believe that a child under the age of eighteen
(18) years has been abused, abandoned or
neglected…shall report report or cause to be
reported within twenty-four (24) hours…to the
proper law enforcement agency or the
department…”
65. Immunity
Idaho Code 16-1620
“Any person who has reason to believe that a child has
been abused, abandoned or neglected and…makes
a report of abuse, abandonment or neglect as
required in section 16-1619…shall have
immunity…in any judicial proceeding resulting from
such report. Any person who reports in bad faith or
with malice shall not be protected by this section.”
66. Report To:
Report within 24 hours
Law Enforcement Agency
Police Department
Sheriff Department
Military Police
School Resource Officer
Department of Health and Welfare
Division of Children and Family Services
67. Oregon
http://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/419B.010
OR 419B.010
Any public or private official having reasonable cause to believe that any child with whom the official
comes in contact has suffered abuse or that any person with whom the official comes in contact has
abused a child shall immediately report or cause a report to be made in the manner required in
ORS 419B.015 (Report form and content).
OR 419B.015
shall make an oral report by telephone or otherwise to the local office of the Department of Human
Services, to the designee of the department or to a law enforcement agency within the county where
the person making the report is located at the time of the contact.
The report shall contain, if known, the names and addresses of the child and the parents of the child
or other persons responsible for care of the child, the child's age, the nature and extent of the abuse,
including any evidence of previous abuse, the explanation given for the abuse and any other
information that the person making the report believes might be helpful in establishing the cause of the
abuse and the identity of the perpetrator.
Other interesting factors:
Exemption if abuse is “reasonably known” to LE. ( OR 419B.010 section 2)
Specifically applies to volunteers as well as “paid” professionals. ( OR 419B.010 section 3)
Mentions duty to report REGARDLESS of internal procedures ( OR 419B.010 section 4)
Class A Violation if report not made.
Includes unlawful exposure to “controlled substances” ( OR 419B.005 section 1)
Specifically mentions “Firefighter or Emergency Medical Services Provider” and various levels of
nursing providers ( OR 419B.005 section 5)
Good Faith Immunity (OR 419B.025)
68. Washington
Mandated Reporters must report suspected child abuse or neglect (or
cause a report to be made) to law enforcement or CPS when they
believe a child has suffered abuse or neglect or may be at risk of
abuse or neglect. RCW 26.44.030 (1)(a)
“Practitioner”: “ or to provide other health services.” – Probably
includes licensed EMS providers
The report must be made at the first opportunity, but no later than
forty-eight hours after there is belief that the child has suffered abuse
or neglect. RCW 26.44.030 (1)(f)
A child is defined as any person under the age of eighteen years.
RCW 26.44.020 (6)
Great PPT for WA providers here:
https://www.dshs.wa.gov/sites/default/files/CA/csp/documents/Mandat
edReporterTraining.pdf
69. In 2013:
61.6% of referrals/reports
were made by professionals
like you
70.
71. Taking the report
DO’s DONT’S
Do use the child's own
vocabulary.
Do not make promises you
cannot keep, especially that you
will not tell anyone.
Do listen carefully to what the
child is saying.
Do not ask direct questions of the
child - this might compromise the
investigation.
Do tell the child the abuse was
not her/his fault and that s/he is
not bad or to blame.
Do not investigate or push the
child into giving details of the
abuse. Your job is to listen to
what the child wants to tell you.
Do be supportive. Remember
why the child came to you. S/he
needs your help, support, and
guidance. Let the child know that
telling was the right thing to do.
Do not discuss what the child told
you with anyone who is not
directly involved in helping the
child.
72. Taking the report (cont)
DO’s DONT’S
Do know your limits and what
your role is; this is not a situation
you can or should handle by
yourself.
Do not notify the parents or
anyone (outside of health care
and law enforcement) involved in
the case when a report is made.
The CPS worker will notify them.
Do tell the truth and be specific;
let the child know you will be
making a report to get him/her
help.
Do not have an out-of-control
reaction. Anger and disbelief can
cause the child to take back their
disclosure.
Do immediately make a report to
CPS without further questioning
the child or contacting the family.
Do not delay in making the
report. You could be the last hope
for this child.
Do Document thoroughly,
objectively
Document your reporting of the
suspected abuse.
Don’t document opinions or
speculations
73. Suspicion that a child under age 18 has
been:
Abused
Neglected
Abandoned
Details or Who, what , when , why, etc if known.
You do not need to have all of the above
information when you call to make a report, but
the more accurate information you can provide,
the better equipped the offices will be to assess
the child's safety.
What to Report
74. Idaho Lines
During business hours, call
the Idaho CareLine:
1-800-926-2588
(TDD 208-332-7205)
If you cant remember: 2-1-1
75. Washington & Oregon,
Washington –
1-866-ENDHARM (1-866-363-4276)
Oregon –
1-855-503-SAFE (7233)
(TTY, hearing impaired) 503-378-6704
(nationwide, during business hours)
76. Cycle of
Abuse
“The cycle of
violence and
abuse continues
from generation
to generation
until the cycle is
broken.”
We can
break the
79. Bonus Material
What follows is bonus material I took out of the
one hour presentation, but I am keeping here for
the session notes so the student can review them
at their leisure.
80. Conditions That Mimic Maltreatment
Cultural Practices
Elbow Subluxation
Nursemaids elbow
Congenital Conditions
Mongolian spots
81. Cultural Practices
There are some cultural customs used as
home remedies to cure or relieve the
symptoms of some ailments such as:
Backache
Itchy skin
Flu Symptoms
These practices are primarily seen in
Southeast Asian cultures, but some are also
used by Russian immigrants and Mexican-
American families.
These practices are usually performed by a
trained practitioner.
From culture to culture, these remedies have
different names and the process differs
slightly.
88. Elbow Subluxation
In children under about 4 years old,
When the arm is straightened and pulled, the
elbow joint is loose enough to separate for a
moment while a bit of ligament slips between
the bones before they snap back together.
Ouch!
It is especially common if kids are yanking
their arms against the pull.
The injury also happens sometimes with falls.
The main symptom is refusal to use the
affected arm.
Kids will usually hold the arm close to the
body, with the elbow bent. The hand is
usually turned down or toward the body.
Kids may scream if you attempt to turn the
hand or move the elbow, but there is unlikely
to be swelling
89. Mongolian Spots
Mongolian spots are basically birth marks
commonly seen in those of African American and
Asian descent.
Mongolian spots are present at birth, and most of
them fade (at least somewhat) by age two. Most
have completely disappeared by age five.
If Mongolian spots remain at puberty
(uncommon), they are likely to be permanent.
Tend to have a poorly defined border and an
irregular shape.
Tend not to be tender.
Will not have a halo.
Will not be swollen.