Child Abuse: Family Daycare Home
1. The caregiver might not be a professional child-care provider but possibly a good trusted friend, family member, or a next-door neighbor who provides full- or part-time care for a single family. However, a family daycare home may be eligible to become a licensed daycare home in some states if the operator decides that this would be beneficial
2. What are the types of abuse and what do they include?
Physical abuse is the most obvious form of child abuse worldwide. While reasonable discipline is excused from child abuse laws, causing a child physical injuries or allowing the child to be injured is considered physical abuse. Accidental injuries are not considered abuse; however, investigations may be merited when the parent's explanation does
not match the injuries or a child is experiencing unusual or frequent injuries.
Child sexual abuse includes harmful sexual conduct toward a child, indecency with a child, sexual assault, and aggravated sexual assault. Sexual exploitation is also considered a form of sexual abuse, including compelling a child to engage in sexual activity, prostitution, and child pornography.
3. How should you handle a child telling you about abuse?
Have the child take you to a separate room away from the others and get down to their level. Remain calm when talking to the children who have been victimized and avoid any emotional responses that could result in crying or arguments.
Stopping the conversation may prevent a disclosure of abuse and cause the child to lose trust in you. You may find yourself feeling angry, sad, or horrified, but be careful with your facial expressions. If you respond with fear, panic, or disgust, the conversation may come to an abrupt end.
Allow the child to tell his or her own story-(without interruptions) while providing support and reassurance to the children. You may need to encourage the child to keep talking about their problems, but do not question the child. Listen to the child carefully, making mental notes of the details to share in your report later. If the child asks you not to tell anyone else, be honest and tell the child that you will get help right away.Being honest helps build on the trust you share with the child.
2. What are the types of abuse and what do they include?
Physical abuse is the most obvious form of child abuse worldwide. While reasonable discipline is excused from child abuse laws, causing a child physical injuries or allowing the child to be injured is considered physical abuse. Accidental injuries are not considered abuse; however, investigations may be merited when the parent's explanation does
not match the injuries or a child is experiencing unusual or frequent injuries.
Child sexual abuse includes harmful sexual conduct toward a child, indecency with a child, sexual assault, and aggravated sexual assault. Sexual exploitation is also considered a form of sexual abuse, including compelling a child to engage in sexual activity, prostitution, and child pornography.
3. How should you handle a child telling you about abuse?
Have the child take you to a separate room away from the others and get down to their level. Remain calm when talking to the children who have been victimized and avoid any emotional responses that could result in crying or arguments.
Stopping the conversation may prevent a disclosure of abuse and cause the child to lose trust in you. You may find yourself feeling angry, sad, or horrified, but be careful with your facial expressions. If you respond with fear, panic, or disgust, the conversation may come to an abrupt end.
Allow the child to tell his or her own story-(without interruptions) while providing support and reassurance to the children. You may need to encourage the child to keep talking about their problems, but do not question the child. Listen to the child carefully, making mental notes of the details to share in your report later. If the child asks you not to tell anyone else, be honest and tell the child that you will get help right away.Being honest helps build on the trust you share with the child.