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<H1>Child abuse signs are identifiable</H1>
<DIV class="details nested grid-4"><SPAN><STRONG style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 3px">Dr.
Alisa Hideg</STRONG> <EM>The Spokesman-Review</EM> </SPAN></DIV></FONT></DIV>
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<P>April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. One focus this month is the
emphasis on awareness of child abuse and neglect and their impact
on children.</P>
<P>Parents and other caregivers provide children with their first understanding
of themselves. Children learn self-acceptance, love, security and curiosity in
an environment that nurtures growth and development.</P>
<P>Infants and toddlers depend on having a secure emotional attachment to an
adult on whom they know they can depend for physical and
emotional needs.</P>
<P>Children who do not have this or are exposed to violence, neglect or parental
substance abuse are at risk for mental health problems. Nationally, one-third of
2- to 5-year-olds in child welfare need mental health services.</P>
<P>As a physician and foster parent, I am required by law to file a report with
the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services if I suspect a
child is being abused or neglected.</P>
<P>Everyone would like to think they would do their best to protect a child, but
perhaps you would not be confident enough in your ability to recognize abuse and
neglect, or you might be concerned about how your report might affect the
child’s caregiver.</P>
<P>Here are some general signs of child abuse and neglect:</P>
<P>•Showing sudden changes in behavior or school performance.</P>
<P>•Not receiving help for physical or medical problems brought to the
parents’ attention.</P>
<P>•Having learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be
attributed to specific physical or psychological causes.</P>
<P>•Being always watchful, as though preparing for something bad
to happen.</P>
<P>•Lacking adult supervision.</P>
<P>•Being overly compliant, passive or withdrawn.</P>
<P>•Coming to school or other activities early, staying late and not wanting to
go home.</P>
<P>You may also see things that are specific to physical abuse, neglect, sexual
abuse or emotional abuse. Some abused or neglected children look and act like
normal kids, but you may notice the behavior of the adult who is harming the
child or something about how the adult and child interact with
each other.</P>
<P>A good place on the Internet to find guidance for recognizing child abuse is
<A href="http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/">www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/</A> general/index.asp.
Once there, click on “What is Abuse?” on the right-hand side of
the page.</P>
<P>You can also call the Childhelp® National Child Abuse Hotline at
800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453) and push “1” to ask questions about child abuse
and neglect.</P>
<P>If you do believe you have seen signs of child abuse or neglect, call
Washington state’s toll-free, 24/7 hotline at (866) ENDHARM (866-363-4276). They
will connect you to the appropriate local Department of Social and Health
Services office so that you can report suspected child abuse
or neglect.</P>
<P>Once a report has been made, Child Protective Services will determine if the
report meets the criteria for investigation. If it does, CPS will determine
whether the child is in imminent danger, who is responsible and what actions are
appropriate to protect the child from further harm.</P>
<P>Intervention by CPS does not automatically mean that a child will be removed
from the home. It may be determined that home support specialist services; day
care; financial and employment assistance; parent aides; mental health services
(for parents and children); parenting classes and/or family preservation
services will be the most beneficial response for the child and
the family.</P>
<P>Reports not meeting the Washington state law definition of child abuse or
neglect are not investigated further. However, they are kept on file and may be
referred to in the future if there are further reports submitted about a
given child.</P>
<P>Our Kids: Our Business is a local movement focusing on children in our
community by uniting social services, nonprofits, businesses and the media. This
movement’s symbol is the pinwheel and you will see them around town
this month.</P>
<P>Watch the Spokesman-Review or go to ourkidsourbusiness. wordpress.com/ for
Our Kids: Our Business events throughout April.</P>
<P>Protecting children is everyone’s business, and reporting suspected abuse or
neglect can save a child’s life.</P>
<P>Learn the signs of child abuse and neglect. Take a child seriously if he or
she tells you about abuse or neglect. Report any known or
suspected incidents.</P>
<P>We can all make a difference in the lives of children in our community and we
all need to take the responsibility to do so.</P>
<P><EM>Dr. Alisa Hideg is a family medicine physician at Group Health’s
Riverfront Medical Center in Spokane. </EM></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>