Child Abuse Identification and Reporting:
Iowa Training for Mandatory Reporters

Introduction


Introduction

Who Are the Mandated Reporters?

Abuse and Neglect/Maltreatment Have Many Presentations

The Disturbing Statistics

Legal Definitions Related to Child Maltreatment

Recognizing Child Abuse

Risk Factors Contributing to Child Abuse and Maltreatment

Protective Factors for Child Abuse and Maltreatment

The Consequences of Child Abuse

Perpetrators of Child Abuse

Dos and Don'ts Regarding Talking with Children about Possible Abuse or Maltreatment

Reporting Child Abuse and Maltreatment

After the Assessment Process

Child Abuse Prevention Services

Safe Haven for Newborns--Overview of the Safe Haven Act

Conclusion

References

Resources

Take Test

Exit to Menu






Ken Hammond, USDA.

In the United States, one of the most educated and affluent countries in the world, in 2008, over three-quarters of a million children were victims of child maltreatment (USDHHS-ACF, 2010). The good news is that child abuse investigations are up and the rate of victimization is down nationally. During the time frame 2004 to 2008, the rate of all children in the US who received a disposition increased from 48.2 per 1,000 children in 2004 to 49.4 per 1,000 children in 2008. The rate of victimization decreased from 12.0 per 1,000 children in 2004 to 10.3 per 1,000 children in 2008 USDHHS-ACF, 2010).

In calendar year 2009, the Department of Human Services in the state of Iowa accepted 25,814 reports for assessment. After completing the assessment of the allegations, DHS confirmed that abuse occurred in 8,867 (34%) of the assessed reports. There were 12,442 child victims named in the confirmed and founded reports. Some children suffered multiple types of abuse or repeat maltreatment. These results represent a rate of 15.6 per 1,000 Iowa children abused for 2009 (IDHS, 2010).

The suffering of children continues despite laws identifying mandatory reporters. In Iowa, all mandatory reporters are required by law to complete two hours of training during their first six months of employment and two hours every five years thereafter.. The Iowa Department of Public Health, Abuse Education Review Panel has approved this course to meet that requirement.

Note: National statistics are based on reports from each individual state. However, each state, through its laws defines child abuse, neglect, maltreatment, etc. differently. For example, some states use the term "neglect" which in Iowa is considered "denial of critical care"; some states specifically identify "medical neglect", while in other states, "medical neglect" is considered part of "neglect". Additionally, some authors of the references used in this course define these terms differently. For the purpose of this course the terms "abuse and neglect/maltreatment" or "maltreatment" will be used to identify the entire spectrum of reportable mistreatment of children. When a specific type of mistreatment is addressed, it will be identified as such.

Continue to Who Are the Mandatory Reporters?

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