Reports of suspected child abuse, neglect increase after summer break

The Evening News and The Tribune - 8/1/2018

Aug. 01--SOUTHERN INDIANA -- The start of a new school year typically conjures memories of yellow school buses in a row, students in a single-file line and fresh crayons, but for the Indiana Department of Child Services, its synonymous with something else -- more reports of suspected abuse or neglect.

Data from DCS shows reports of suspected abuse dip in June and July and jump in August when students go back to the classroom. According to the data, in 2017 there were 22,181 reports made in May, 17,696 in June, 17,194 in July and 23,137 in August. Numbers available for 2018 follow a similar pattern: 22,792 reports were made in May. That number dropped to 16,398 in June. Data for July 2018 is not yet available.

According to April Geltmaker, staff attorney for Greater Clark County Schools, Indiana code dictates how public school corporations handle suspected abuse or neglect.

"We are all mandatory reporters as employees of a public school," Geltmaker said. "A report must be made immediately. We don't wait until the next day or next week, as soon as there is that suspicion we are required to notify the proper authorities, that is DCS or law enforcement."

Pam Darnell, president and CEO of Family and Children's Place, an organization that works against child abuse in Louisville and Southern Indiana through prevention, intervention and treatment programs, says anyone can, and should, report suspected abuse.

"I know people get very concerned about calling the child abuse hotline. I'll hear [from people] 'Well, I don't know for sure it's happening.' I get that, but we don't have to know for sure. All we need to do is call hotline and let the professionals get connected and do their job," Darnell said.

"The thing about calling the hotline, while it's difficult, it can really save a child's life. If there is a child being hurt, it can really save their life."

According to Darnell, the best method to identify abuse is to consider what the typical injuries are for a child of that age.

"Of course, when children have visible bruising, visible injuries, that can be an indicator that there may be something going on," she said. "What's important to remember is kids fall, older kids are riding bikes ... If you see young children, infants and they have bruises, think about where that child is developmentally. Does it make sense a little one would have skinned knees? Or a little one with bruising on its head ... what seems typical or atypical?" Darnell also said hesitation to change in front of others and becoming withdrawn also can be signs of abuse.

Occasionally, neglect can be mistaken for poverty, she said.

"There's a fine line between what is a personal value and what is harmful. Sometimes, children who live in homes where there's not many resources, their clothing may not fit perfectly. It may be an issue of poverty, not an issue of intentional neglect," Darnell said.

In those cases, she says it's best to consider whether the child's basic needs are being met. "If a shirt is a little too big, that may be the best that parent can do. A child who hasn't had food in two days, that's very harmful. If he or she hasn't bathed in three or four days, it can lead to illness and other things."

Though there are ways to identify abuse and signs to look for, Darnell reiterated that abuse does not discriminate and if someone suspects a child is being abused or neglected, they should say something.

"What we know about child abuse is it happens in every neighborhood, every socio-economic category. It knows no economic boundaries ... There really is no reason for anyone who does have a concern to not call."

For more information, Darnell recommends preventchildabuse.org and helpguide.org.

Erin Walden is the education reporter at the News and Tribune. Contact her via email at erin.walden@newsandtribune.com or by phone at 812-206-2152. Follow her on Twitter: @ErinWithAnEr.

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