Separating work and my personal life is becoming a thinner line in the sand.
Since my employment is in the Social Work field I am mandated through the State of Alaska and my employer to report abuse to Elderly, Children, and those with Disabilities.
I work with those who have disabilities - adults and children.
Those with disabilities have a higher rate of Abuse: both physical and sexual.
Per the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect (NCCAN) research found that children with disabilities are maltreated at 1.7 times the rate of other children.1
As with most abuse cases the perpetrator is a known person to the child, senior, or the person with a disability. In most cases of abuse the persons who abuse range from family members, to professionals, to paraprofessionals.
Indicators of abuse for children with disabilities are the same as indicators of abuse for their
peers in the general population. Along with physical signs, two of the primary ways of
identifying abuse are the child's reports and behavioral indicators. Children with disabilities may
exhibit behavioral indicators of abuse that are not recognized as abusive by their caregivers.
Changes in behavior may be attributed to their on-going problems, or inability to communicate
appropriately. Injuries resulting from physical abuse may be ignored if a child has visual or
physical limitations. If a child has intellectual limitations, responsible adults may wrongly
assume that the child is untrustworthy or easily suggestible, especially if the report involves
instances of abuse that seem unbelievable or improbable considering the circumstances of the
child. Unless a child can communicate what happened, and "be believed," indicators of abuse
for children with disabilities can be more difficult to recognize.2
In Alaska since I am a mandated reporter - which is perfect for my strong conviction and moral belief of 'Do No Harm to any single living person and no one deserves or should suffer from any type of abuse':
What is my legal liability?3
ACCORDING TO STATE LAW, a person
who, in good faith, makes a report, permits an interview under 47.17.027,
or who participates in judicial proceedings related to reports submitted
is immune from any civil or criminal liability which might otherwise be
incurred or imposed.
A person required by law to
file a report of abuse or neglect who willfully or knowingly fails or refuses
to do so is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
In Alaska mandate reporters must call any suspected or known abuse to: State of Alaska Department of Health & Social
Services, Office of Children’s Services or Senior & Disabilities Services:
Report Child Abuse
1-800-478-4444
Report Adult Abuse (18 or older)
1-800-478-9996
Other important numbers to assist you for information or educational materials for child abuse:
National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information (800) 394-3366
Prevent Child Abuse America (312) 663-3520
National Resource Center on Child Abuse & Neglect (800) 227-5242
1, 2-
www.preventchildabuse.org
3-
http://hss.state.ak.us/ocs/Publications/ReportingChildAbuse.htm
-
http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dsds/aps.htm
