NCJ Number
142353
Date Published
1992
Length
90 pages
Annotation
This manual delineates for educators the roles that teachers, school counselors, school nurses, special education professionals, administrators, and other school and day care personnel have in helping maltreated children.
Abstract
The manual begins with an overview of the nature and prevalence of child abuse and neglect. In addition to a discussion of the nature and extent of child maltreatment, it considers the sociological and psychological causes of child maltreatment; abusive, neglectful, and sexually abusive families; and the effects of child abuse and neglect. In discussing why educators should be involved in countering child maltreatment, the manual focuses on community, educational, legal, and ethical issues, as well as personal concerns. The discussion of personal concerns considers educators who are themselves survivors of child maltreatment, whether or not to touch children, and false allegations. A section on how to detect symptoms of child maltreatment in the classroom context profiles the symptoms of physical abuse, neglect, emotional maltreatment, and sexual abuse. An outline of general indicators of abuse and neglect focuses on academic clues and emotional/psychological clues. A discussion of the recognition of child abuse and neglect through interviews provides guidelines for interviews with children and their parents. Child abuse within the school is also addressed. Other major sections of the manual discuss the reporting of child abuse and neglect, what schools can offer parents and children after a case has been reported, and the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Glossary, 25 notes, a 40-item selected bibliography, an outline of a model child abuse and neglect policy for schools, and a corporal punishment factsheet