Live Safe:End Child Abuse

Lindsey Van Dyke, Lily Smith, Emily Huddleson, Marihnte Matthews, and Amari Gibson

Understanding the Problem

What is Child Abuse

Anything that causes:● death● serious physical or emotional harm● sexual harm or abuse● exploitation● failure to do something that prevents

serious harm

https://www.childhelp.org/child-abuse/

Why We Have a ProblemEffects of Child Abuse

● Academic Problems in adolescents● Difficulty connectecting with others ● Dissociation● Drug use● Self harm ● Eating disorders

Evidence of Child abuse in our Community

● One child abuse report is made every 10 seconds

● In 2011, Ohio had 151,732 total referrals for child abuse and neglect. Of those, 80,875 reports were referred for investigation

● In Hamilton County, 87 out of 1000 children have faced maltreatment.

Other Issues Involved● not always visible or known

○ kids hide it○ parents threaten kids

■ if they show others they will hit them worse

○ not always questioned○ makes up excuses

■ child says “I just fell”

Other Issues Involved● definition of child abuse

○ not always clear○ matter of opinion

■ abortion■ level/severity■ physical and mental

○ many factors to consider

Other Issues Involved● how to report it

○ Who should they tell?● who should report it

○ Should it be an adult, a student, a stranger?

Current Child Abuse Laws● According to the federal and state laws,

after a report is made○ Child and parents will be interviewed○ Investigator will decide if it is abuse○ Case will then be referred to local

agencies

Current Child Abuse Laws● Mandated Reporters

○ Attorneys○ School Officials○ Childs medics○ Children services/caretakers

Current Child Abuse Laws● Minimum punishment of 6-12 months● Considered Abuse

○ Childs mental or physical welfare has been threatened or damaged

DisagreementsPeople view child abuse in different ways, some think that the following is child abuse and some people believe it is not:

● burning them with hot water on purpose

● locking a child in a room or closet

Disagreements

● using objects to beat children● starving a child● holding a child under water● allowing a child to drink

alcohol

Government Involvement● can cause problems later in life

○ possibility of death○ possibility of long term disorders

■ depression■ PTSD■ eating disorders

○ drug/alcohol abuse○ physical/mental abuse towards

others

Why Government Should be Involved

● government has power to stop it○ relocate children○ gives penalties

■ required to register as an offender■ parental rights taken away■ arrested

Analysis of Alternative Policies

Current PolicyNo parent or guardian of a child under eighteen years old or mentally or physically handicapped under the age of twenty-one, shall create a substantial risk to the health or safety of the child, by violating a duty of care, protection, or support.

Alternative Policies1. Mental check before you take baby home

from hospital or adoption agency

2. In-home checks every other month

3. Programs for children and adults

Mental Health Checks PolicyThe parent or guardian of the child must take a mental health check either at the hospital or adoption agency before taking the child home.

Mental Health Checks PolicyAdvantages● stop it before it happens● help the adult

Disadvantages● could have baby at home● act stable● change during the stress of the child

Mental Health Checks PolicyControversies and Conflicts● not clear definitions of mentally stable● people can resist● people won’t go to the hospital to have

child

In Home ChecksEvery other month for those who have been previously convicted of child abuse or are suspected of it.

In Home Checks PolicyAdvantages● could prevent child abuse● consistently living well● house is in good condition● marks won’t heal in time

In Home Checks PolicyDisadvantages● clean up right before● beat child right after they leave● time consuming● blackmailing child● not always apparent to interviewer

In Home Checks PolicyControversies and Conflicts● people wouldn’t let the cops in● cops have to get a warrant● would take up the cops time● what part of the government would do the

checks● where the money would come from

Programs Policy

Once the report is made the abuser and the abused will need to report to classes and therapy sessions.

Programs PolicyAdvantages● supports the abused● helps the abused/abusers get help● no cost for the visitors

Programs PolicyDisadvantages● abusers don’t always get help● can skip the program● can make the situation worse if someone

gets mad or upset● can make the abuser mad● can’t be forced to listen or learn

Programs PolicyControversies and Conflicts● people can resist● who will run the program● how will they be funded

Public Policy Development and

Persuasiveness

Our Proposed Policy Live Safe

Program Live SafeBefore any parent or guardian can take their child home from the hospital or adoption agency they must pass a mental health check. ● If you are convicted of child abuse or have a mental

health issue you will have in home checks every other month.

● If someone is abusing their child, then both the abused and abuser will need to attend programs or therapy.

Who is responsible?● Child Protective Services

○ local/state

Support for the PolicyWhy would our policy help?● can help end child abuse● can help the abusers realize their problem● mental health problems can be controlled

with medication● the kids can get help ● kids can get relocated if they’re in a bad

situation

Advantages & DisadvantagesAdvantages ● supports abused● helps abused/abusers get help● programs are free for participants● prevents child abuse before it happens

Advantages & DisadvantagesDisadvantages● abusers don’t always accept help● can skip the program ● can make the situation worse if someone

gets mad or upset● can make the abuser mad● can’t be forced to listen or learn

Why it is Constitutional ● Mental Checks

○ doctors check for errors in the baby before it goes home already

○ according to WebMD, this can diagnose any health problems people have

Why it is Constitutional● In Home Checks

○ professionals already go to houses to check on the mentally and physically

Why it is Constitutional● Programs for Children and Adults

○ programs and groups already established ■ the child abuse prevention program

(CAPP)■ child welfare■ child help

Implementation of an Action Plan

Individuals/Groups Who Need to be Influenced and Why● Supporters

○ Cincinnatians■ bring awareness to people in the

community○ Law enforcement officers

■ help come up with a better way to help child abuse

○ Child care workers & teachers■ help find out about child abuse

○ State Representatives■ gain support to make policy a law

Individuals/Groups Who Need to be Influenced (cont.)

● Opponents○ abusers

■ can show what child abuse is and how to stop it

○ parent/caregiver■ bring attention to the issue

Government Officials That Needs to be Influenced and Why

● Supporters○ child abuse lawyer

■ give more ways to help the problem○ police

■ give ways to go about the problem and what to do to help cease it

Our Action Plan: Step 1

We are going to contact influential individuals and groups about our program, Live Safe. We are going to propose our program to gain feedback and to spread the word about Live Safe.

We are going to contact our local and state representatives. We need to get support for our program if we want to present it to the Ohio General Assembly.

Our Action Plan: Step 2

Our Action Plan

Our goal is to try to make our plan a public policy to end child abuse in the state of Ohio.

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08 Apr. 2015.3. "Child Maltreatment: Consequences." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease

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n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2015.8. "Easing the Pain: Preschool for Children with Histories of Abuse - Local 12 WKRC-TV Cincinnati - News -

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