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Child abuse refers to the mistreatment, neglect, or harm inflicted upon children, typically by adults or older individuals in a position of authority or trust.

It encompasses a range of deliberate actions or omissions that result in physical, emotional, or sexual harm, as well as the failure to provide for the basic needs and well-being of a child.

Child abuse can take various forms:

Physical Abuse
This is when a caregiver causes any physical injury on a child other than by accident. Physical abuse can range from threats of harm, minor bruises, injuries and death.

Mental Injury
This is harm to a child’s psychological capacity or emotional stability evidenced by an observable and substantial impairment of a child’s functioning.

Sexual Abuse
When a child is forced, manipulated, or coerced into sexual activities. Sexual abuse can happen in-person and online.

This is when a child becomes victimized by:

A person responsible for a child’s care
A person who has a significant relationship to a child
A person in a position of authority

Child Neglect
Neglect is the most common form of maltreatment. \It is usually a failure of a child’s caregiver to:

Provide needed food, clothing, shelter, medical or mental health care, education or appropriate supervision.
Protect a child from conditions or actions that endanger the child.
Take steps to ensure that a child is educated as required by law.
The following also may be considered neglect:
- Exposing a child to certain drugs during pregnancy
- Causing emotional harm to a child

Source: https://cmsac.org/?s=facts

Possible Signs of Child Abuse

When you have concerns for a child’s well-being, the indicators listed below may help guide you in your thought process. Many of these “symptoms” or “signs” could be caused by things other than abuse or neglect. Generally, these indicators do indicate that a child’s safety may be at risk and, at the very least, the situation should be assessed by a professional who is able to determine the causes of these symptoms and offer the help and assistance necessary to reduce the risk to a child.

Possible Signs of Sexual Abuse

Physical Indicators:

Torn, stained or bloody underclothes.
Frequent, unexplained sore throats, yeast or urinary infections.
Somatic complaints, including pain and irritation of the genitals.
Sexually transmitted diseases.
Bruises or bleeding from external genitalia, vagina or anal region.
Pregnancy.

Behavioral Indicators:

The victim’s disclosure of sexual abuse.
Regressive behaviors (thumb-sucking, bedwetting, fear of the dark).
Promiscuity or seductive behaviors.
Disturbed sleep patterns (recurrent nightmares).
Unusual and age-inappropriate interest in sexual matters.
Avoidance of undressing or wearing extra layers of clothes.
Sudden decline in school performance and truancy.
Difficulty in walking or sitting.

Possible Signs of Emotional Abuse

Physical Indicators:

Eating disorders, including obesity or anorexia.
Speech disorders (stuttering, stammering).
Developmental delays in the acquisition of speech or motor skills.
Weight or height level substantially below the norm.
Infants may have flat or bald spots on the head
Nervous disorders (rashes, hives, facial tics, stomach aches).

Behavioral Indicators:

Habit disorders (biting, rocking, head-banging).
Cruel behavior, seeming to get pleasure from hurting children, adults, or animals; seeming to get pleasure from being mistreated.
Age-inappropriate behaviors (bedwetting, wetting, soiling).
Behavioral extremes include overly compliant-demanding, withdrawn-aggressive, and listless and excitable.

Possible Signs of Neglect

Physical Indicators:

Poor hygiene includes lice, scabies, severe or untreated diaper rash, bedsores, or body odor.
Squinting.
Unsuitable clothing; missing key articles of clothing (underwear, socks, shoes); overdressed or underdressed for climate conditions.
Untreated injury or illness.
Lack of immunizations.
Indicators of prolonged exposure to elements (excessive sunburn, insect bites, colds).
Height and weight significantly below age level.

Behavioral Indicators:

Unusual school attendance.
Chronic absenteeism.
Chronic hunger, tiredness, or lethargy.
Begging for or collecting leftovers.
Assuming adult responsibilities.
Reporting no caretaker at home.

Child abuse is a deeply concerning issue with serious and long-lasting consequences for the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of children. It is essential to raise awareness, promote prevention, and provide support services to safeguard the rights and protect the welfare of children around the world.

Child sexual exploitation is a type of sexual abuse. Children in an exploitative situation may receive anything of value or the promise of gifts, money, drugs, food, a place to stay, rent, a higher status in a gang or group, or affection for engaging in sexual activities or having others engage in sexual activities upon them. This can occur in-person or online, including sharing on social media. Sexual exploitation includes involving children or youth with the intent of creating or sharing sexually explicit content or child pornography. A third party may or may not be involved.

Someplace Safe offers specialized services to assist youth in these situations.

Helping Children Who Have Been Abused

Helping children who have been abused requires a compassionate and supportive approach. Here are some steps to assist children in the aftermath of abuse:

Ensure their safety: The safety and protection of the child is the most important. If the abuse is ongoing or the child is in immediate danger, report the abuse to local child protective services or law enforcement authorities as soon as possible or call 911.

Believe and validate: It is essential to believe the child and provide a safe space for them to share their experiences. Listen attentively, validate their feelings, and assure them that the abuse was not their fault. Let them know that you are not alone and are there to support them throughout the healing process.

Support network: Encourage the child to seek support from trusted individuals, such as family members, friends, or support groups.

Confidentiality: Assure the child that you will maintain their confidentiality to the extent possible, but also explain the situations where you might need to involve appropriate authorities or professionals to ensure their safety.

Encourage disclosure: Encourage the child to disclose the abuse to a trusted adult, such as a teacher, counselor, or healthcare provider. Be patient; they may have difficulty opening up due to fear, shame, or confusion.

Seek professional help: Connect the child with a qualified professional who specializes in child abuse, such as a therapist, counselor, or child advocacy center.

Report the abuse: If you have not already done so, report the abuse to the appropriate authorities. They can initiate an investigation into the abuse and take necessary actions to protect the child.

Create a safe environment: Ensure that the child’s immediate environment is safe and free from potential abusers.

Practice self-care: Supporting an abused child can be emotionally challenging. Take care of yourself to maintain your own well-being and seek support from professionals or support groups if needed.

Remember, helping children who have experienced abuse requires professional intervention and support from experts in child welfare and mental health. They can provide guidance tailored to the child’s specific needs and ensure their comprehensive well-being and recovery.

Ways to Identify Child Abuse

Identifying child abuse is crucial to protect the well-being and safety of children. It’s important to be vigilant and aware of potential signs and indicators that may suggest child abuse. Here are some ways to identify child abuse:

Physical signs: Look for unexplained injuries, bruises, burns, fractures, or other physical marks on the child’s body. Become concerned if injuries frequently occur or don’t match the explanations provided.

Behavioral changes: Pay attention to sudden and significant changes in the child’s behavior, such as withdrawal, fearfulness, aggression, or an apparent loss of self-confidence. They may exhibit changes in eating patterns, sleep disturbances, or display regressive behaviors not typical for their age.

Emotional signs: Watch for emotional indicators such as excessive fear, anxiety, depression, emotional outbursts, or showing signs of emotional distress. The child may exhibit behaviors that are not developmentally appropriate for their age or struggle with forming healthy attachments.

Inappropriate sexual behaviors or knowledge: If a child demonstrates explicit sexual behavior or knowledge that is beyond their age-appropriate understanding, it could be an indication of sexual abuse.

Neglect indicators: Notice signs of neglect, such as poor personal hygiene, malnutrition, inadequate clothing, unattended medical needs, or being frequently left unsupervised or alone at an inappropriate age.

Unexplained absences from school: Consistent and unexplained absences, as well as a decline in academic performance or interest in school, might indicate underlying issues, including abuse or neglect.

Excessive fear or avoidance of a specific person or situation: If a child seems intensely fearful or avoids being around a particular individual or entering certain environments, it could suggest that the child is being abused by that person or in that setting.

Disclosure or indirect disclosures: Children may directly disclose abuse, hint at or indirectly indicate their experiences through drawings, stories, or play. Take such disclosures seriously and report them to the appropriate authorities.

If you suspect child abuse, it’s important to report your concerns to local child protective services, law enforcement, or a helpline specializing in child abuse. These agencies have trained professionals who can investigate and ensure the child’s safety. Remember, it is crucial to prioritize the well-being and protection of children.

Supporting a Survivor

Supporting survivors of sexual and exploitation violence is crucial in helping them heal, regain control over their lives, and rebuild their sense of security. Here are some ways you can offer support:

Believe and Validate
Listen to survivors with empathy and believe their experiences without question. Avoid judgment or disbelief. Validate their feelings and affirm their courage in sharing their stories.

Reassure Them, They Are Not to Blame
Whatever the circumstances, they were not looking for or asking to be assaulted. It is very common for a survivor of sexual assault to blame themselves. Reassure them that the blame for rape rests squarely and only with the assailant. Let them know that they had no way of knowing what would have happened if they had acted differently.

Blaming questions such as, “Why didn’t you scream?” or “Why did you go there?” are not helpful. Instead, you might say, “It’s difficult to scream when you are frightened,” or “Going someplace unfamiliar is risky, but you were not asking to be assaulted.”

Respect the Survivor
Respect their fear. Assailants commonly threaten to kill or seriously harm the survivor if they do not comply. Many feared that they would not survive the assault. This fear does not go away when the assailant does. This fear is real. Help them deal with it by finding ways to increase their safety.

Stay with them
Stay with them as long as they want you to. One of the most upsetting losses experienced by rape survivors is the loss of independence and solitude. For a while, many feel too frightened and vulnerable to endure being alone. Meanwhile, be good company.

Respect Autonomy
Respect survivors’ decisions and choices regarding their healing journey. Let them have control over their own narrative and the support they wish to receive.

Let the Survivors Make their Own Decisions
Do not pressure them into making decisions or doing things they are not ready to do. Help them explore all the options. It is essential to respect their confidentiality.

Offer Emotional Support By Listening
Provide a safe and supportive environment for survivors to express their emotions. Encourage them to seek counseling or therapy, and be understanding and patient as they process their trauma.

Respect Privacy and Confidentiality: Maintain strict confidentiality regarding survivors’ personal information and experiences. Respect their privacy and do not share their stories without their explicit consent. Let them decide who knows about the sexual assault.

Educate Yourself
Learn about the dynamics of sexual and exploitation violence, the impact on survivors, and available resources. This knowledge will help you provide informed and compassionate support.

Advocate for Change
Offer support and/or volunteer at Someplace Safe and other initiatives that are working to address sexual and exploitation violence. Advocate for policies and laws that protect survivors’ rights increase awareness, and hold perpetrators accountable.

Donate | Volunteer

Offer Practical Support
Help survivors access practical resources such as shelter, legal aid, healthcare, or employment assistance. Offer assistance with daily tasks, childcare, transportation, or other immediate needs as they arise.
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Every survivor’s needs are unique, so it’s essential to respect their individual experiences and choices.

Seek Help

Due to the diverse nature of these crimes, trauma-informed advocacy services will be provided based on the self-defined needs of the survivor(s). Advocacy services are available to any survivor of a crime, their family, and support system regardless of race, color, economic status, religion, familial status, parenthood, national origin, place of residence, political affiliation, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, social status, gender, sexual orientation, age, or physical ability.

The Advocacy program of Someplace Safe is operated by staff and/or volunteers who have been trained to help victims and survivors of crime cope with a wide range of needs and responses to victimization. All advocacy services provided by Someplace Safe are completely free and confidential.
Someplace Safe provides services based on clients’ self-defined goals and gauges success based on clients successfully meeting those goals.

Someplace Safe Crisis Line: 1-800-974-3359
Email: info@someplacesafe.info

Services Available to Victims and Survivors of Crime

The Crime Victim Advocacy program of Someplace Safe is provided by staff trained to assist survivors of crime, their families and support systems. Advocates are trained staff and volunteers who offer help to survivors, families, and friends who have been affected by crime or violence.

Advocacy services are available to any survivor of a crime, regardless of race, color, economic status, religion, familial status, parenthood, national origin, place of residence, political affiliation, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, social status, gender, sexual orientation, age, or physical ability. Accessible services are available. Accessibility includes interpreters (foreign language and DHH), live chat, and text.

*Staff are mandated by law to report information regarding child abuse or certain situations involving vulnerable adults.

Advocacy services are free and confidential and include:

24-Hour Crisis Line
Someplace Safe operates an emergency crisis line, answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The line is staffed by individuals trained to listen, offer information, and make referrals to emergency agencies if necessary.

Civil/Legal Assistance
Staff may help guide survivors by providing options within the legal and court system. This may include assistance in filing protective orders and/ or accompaniment to court hearings.

Assistance through the Criminal Court Process
Staff can assist with answering questions, criminal court tracking and accompaniment throughout the court process. Assistance and information is available on a variety of topics, including reparations, restitution, Victim Impact Statements and Community Impact Statements.

Hospital or Law Enforcement Accompaniment
Staff are available to assist survivors of crime in emergency situations at local hospitals/clinics, emergency rooms, or law enforcement centers.

Short-Term Emergency Placement (S.T.E.P.S.)
S.T.E.P.S. may be available for survivors of crime who require short- term emergency housing due to an immediate crisis or victimization. A screening and intake process is required.

Support & Empowerment Groups
Various groups offer a supportive environment in which survivors can explore, discuss and understand the impact and dynamics of violence with other survivors.

Parenting Time Centers
Parenting Time Centers provide safe, neutral environments to visit or exchange children. Intakes are required. A sliding fee scale applies for services. Services include contact exchanges, visitation scheduling, supervised phone calls and Skype. Please contact the Parenting Time Center at 218-739-3132 for intake information and locations.

Community Thrift Stores
Someplace Safe operates Thrift Stores. The stores are open to the public for shopping and donations. Clients in need may qualify for vouchers for items. Contact a local advocate for more details.