Frequent Questions
About Child Abuse and Neglect
What is child abuse?
Who is required to report child abuse?
Are there penalties for not reporting?
Am I meddling?
How do I report child abuse?
What things should I report?
What will happen after I report?
What are some signs of child abuse?
What are some signs of
emotional damage?
What are some signs of neglect?
What are some signs of sexual abuse?
About Foster Care and Juvenile Court
How do I become a foster parent?
What is juvenile court?
What is child abuse?
Wisconsin law defines different types of
child abuse
Physical Abuse
Physical injury inflicted on a child by other than accidental means.
Physical injury includes, but is not limited to, lacerations, fractured
bones, burns, internal injuries, severe or frequent bruising or great bodily
harm.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual intercourse or sexual touching of a child, sexual exploitation,
forced viewing of sexual activity, or permitting, allowing or encouraging a
child to engage in prostitution.
Emotional Damage
Harm to a child’s psychological or intellectual functioning which is
exhibited by severe anxiety, depression, withdrawal or aggression.
Emotional damage may be demonstrated by observable changes in behavior,
emotional response or learning which are incompatible with the child’s age
or stage of development.
Neglect
When a parent or caregiver fails, refuses, or is unable, for reasons
other than poverty, to provide the necessary care, food, clothing, medical
or dental care so as to seriously endanger the physical health of the child.
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Who is required to report child abuse?
Certain people are required by law to report suspected child abuse. These
people are called "mandated reporters." Mandated reporters include
physicians
coroners
medical examiners
nurses
dentists
child care providers
chiropractors
acupuncturists
optometrists
all medical & mental health professionals
day care providers
alcohol and other drug abuse counselors
marriage & family therapists
treatment staff employed by or working under contract with a county
department
professional counselors
physical therapists
occupational therapists
dieticians
speech therapists
audiologists
emergency medical technicians
paramedics
social or public assistance workers
school administrators, teachers, counselors,
group home or residential care center staff,
police and law enforcement officers, and
mediators under s.767.11,
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Mandated reporters are required to report suspected abuse and neglect of
any child they see in the course of their professional duties. Persons
required to report must also report situations in which they have reason to
believe that a child has been threatened with abuse or neglect and that
abuse or neglect is likely to occur.
Any other person may report if there is reason to believe that a child
has been abused or neglected or has been threatened with abuse or neglect.
Are there penalties for not reporting?
Persons required to report and who intentionally fail to report
suspected child abuse or neglect may be fined up to $1,000 or imprisoned for
up to 6 months or both.
Persons who report in good faith are immune from civil or criminal
liability.
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Am I meddling?
Deciding to get involved in a situation of suspected abuse or neglect can be
difficult. However, your decision may be crucial to a child not only today,
but also in the future. Abused and neglected children often carry life-long
scars and may mistreat their own children. Abusive and neglectful parents
need services and support in order to stop the cycle of abuse or neglect.
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How do I
report child abuse?
Contact DHHS, the Sheriff's department, or your local police
department -- by telephone or in person. To get in touch with DHHS,
call 262-741-3200 or call
toll free 800-365-1587.
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What
things should I report?
Explain as well as you can, what happened or is happening to the
child. Describe the nature of the abuse or neglect. Be as specific as
possible.
Be prepared to give the name, address, and telephone number for the child
and also the name of the parent or caregiver, if it is different from the
child's name. Even if you do not know all of this information, report what
you do know.
Tell all you know about the situation.
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What
will happen after I report?
A social worker from DHHS will assess the situation according to
statutory guidelines and determine what must be done to protect the child
and help the family.
Services available to help the family and the child include counseling,
in-home services, assistance or training and self-help groups. In severe
situations, it may be necessary to temporarily place a child in out-of-home
care.
A person who is mandated to report suspected child abuse or neglect will be
informed by DHHS what action, if any, was taken to protect the health,
safety and welfare of the child who is the subject of the report.
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What are some signs of child abuse?
Following are the major signs of physical and sexual abuse, emotional
damage and neglect. One sign, or even several signs in combination, may not
indicate that abuse has occurred. The signs may have resulted from accidents
or medical conditions, or may indicate emotional illness or other problems.
If a number of these signs occur together or if they recur frequently, child
abuse and neglect may be suspected.
Bruises, welts on face, neck, chest, back
Injuries in the shape of object (belt, cord)
Unexplained burns on palms, soles of feet, back
Fractures that do not fit the story of how an injury occurred
Delay in seeking medical help
Extremes in behavior: very aggressive or withdrawn and shy
Afraid to go home
Frightened of parents
Fearful of other adults
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What are some signs of emotional damage?
Low self-esteem
Self-denigration
Severe depression
Aggression
Withdrawal
Severe anxiety
Failure to learn
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What are some signs of neglect?
Poor hygiene, odor
Inappropriately dressed for weather
Needs medical or dental care
Left alone, unsupervised for long periods
Failure to thrive, malnutrition
Constant hunger, begs or steals food
Extreme willingness to please
Frequent absence from school
Arrives early and stays late at school or play areas or other people’s
homes
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What are some signs of sexual abuse?
Pain, swelling or itching in genital area
Bruises, bleeding, discharge in genital area
Difficulty walking or sitting, frequent urination, pain
Stained or bloody underclothing
Venereal disease
Refusal to take part in gym or other exercises
Poor peer relationships
Unusual interest in sex for age
Drastic change in school achievement
Runaway or delinquent
Regressive or childlike behavior
YOU CAN HELP! PLEASE REPORT CHILD ABUSE AND
NEGLECT
Immediately contact DHHS, the Sheriff's Department, or your local
police. To get in touch with DHHS, call
262-741-3200 or call toll free
800-365-1587.
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About Juvenile Court
What is Juvenile Court?
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