Mandated Reporting: Burlington Area School District

1. Some possible warning signs of physical abuse could include which of the following:

Bruises

Unexplained burns

The student is evasive about how they received the injury

All of the above

Warning signs of physical abuse can include physical marks, bruises, and burns, but can also include if the student is evasive about how they got the injury or the story does not make sense

Explanation

Warning signs of physical abuse can include physical marks, bruises, and burns, but can also include if the student is evasive about how they got the injury or the story does not make sense

2. The following may be signs of possible sexual abuse: the student displays extreme secrecy, compliance or withdrawal; has an unusual interest in sex for their age; engages in sexual behavior; and engages in sexual play with peers that goes beyond curiosity.

True

False

Some warning signs of possible sexual abuse includes: extreme secrecy, compliance or withdrawal; an
unusual fear of people from 1 gender or with specific characteristics, such as a deep voice; very seductive behavior; unusual knowledge about sex for the student’s age and development; sexual play with peers that goes beyond curiosity.

Note: Sexual curiosity & behaviors that are developmentally normal for pre-adolescent children are not sexual abuse.

Explanation

Some warning signs of possible sexual abuse includes: extreme secrecy, compliance or withdrawal; an
unusual fear of people from 1 gender or with specific characteristics, such as a deep voice; very seductive behavior; unusual knowledge about sex for the student’s age and development; sexual play with peers that goes beyond curiosity.

Note: Sexual curiosity & behaviors that are developmentally normal for pre-adolescent children are not sexual abuse.

3. Failing to report suspected abuse or neglect may result in being fined or imprisoned.

True

False

Persons who intentionally fail to report suspected child abuse or neglect, as required, may be fined not more than $1000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months.

Explanation

Persons who intentionally fail to report suspected child abuse or neglect, as required, may be fined not more than $1000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months.

4. Determining when to report situations of suspected child abuse or neglect can be difficult. When in doubt, it is OK to consult with a member of the student services staff or contact human services for consultation.

True

False

It is common for someone to be unsure if a report should be made and it is OK to talk to someone else who can help determine if a report is necessary. Individuals who can be consulted with could include pupil services professionals or school administrators, County Child Protective Services, or law enforcement.

Explanation

It is common for someone to be unsure if a report should be made and it is OK to talk to someone else who can help determine if a report is necessary. Individuals who can be consulted with could include pupil services professionals or school administrators, County Child Protective Services, or law enforcement.

5. Who are some of the individuals considered to be mandated reporters (check all that apply)?

Doctors

Physical Therapists

Teachers

Aides

Counselors

All of the above

On November 23, 2011, Governor Scott Walker signed a new bill (Senate Bill 42) into law that will require ALL school employees, including aides and custodians, to report suspected child abuse/neglect to authorities. Previously, only school teachers, administrators, and counselors were required by law to report suspected abuse/neglect.

Explanation

On November 23, 2011, Governor Scott Walker signed a new bill (Senate Bill 42) into law that will require ALL school employees, including aides and custodians, to report suspected child abuse/neglect to authorities. Previously, only school teachers, administrators, and counselors were required by law to report suspected abuse/neglect.

6. Anyone can report suspected abuse or neglect by making a phone call to either Racine County Human Services or Walworth County Human Services, but it has to be between the hours of 9am-5pm during the week.

True

False

Reports can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in both Racine County and Walworth County.

Explanation

Reports can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in both Racine County and Walworth County.

7. It is OK to ask someone else to make a report of suspected abuse/neglect for you if you are not comfortable doing so.

True

False

There should be no reports by “proxy”. Someone with 1st hand knowledge of suspected child maltreatment may not ask someone else to make the report. If a person is nervous about making a report or does not understand how or what to do, the person may ask someone with more knowledge to assist with the report

Explanation

There should be no reports by “proxy”. Someone with 1st hand knowledge of suspected child maltreatment may not ask someone else to make the report. If a person is nervous about making a report or does not understand how or what to do, the person may ask someone with more knowledge to assist with the report

8. If a student does not show physical signs of abuse, but are exhibiting low self-esteem, self-denigration, severe depression, aggression, withdrawal, or anxiety, they may be experiencing:

Physical abuse

Sexual abuse

Neglect

Emotional damage

Emotional damage is harm to a child’s psychological or intellectual functioning and can be observed in severe anxiety, depression, withdrawal or aggressive behavior, or a substantial change in the child’s behavior, emotional response or thinking that is not normal for the child’s age or development

Explanation

Emotional damage is harm to a child’s psychological or intellectual functioning and can be observed in severe anxiety, depression, withdrawal or aggressive behavior, or a substantial change in the child’s behavior, emotional response or thinking that is not normal for the child’s age or development

9. Mandated reporters are responsible for reporting which of the following to Human Services (check all that apply):

Physical abuse

Bullying

Sexual abuse

Emotional abuse

Obesity in youth

Neglect

All of the above

Mandated reporters are individuals who are legally obligated to report certain types of abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities, such as Human Services. Physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect are all forms of harm or mistreatment that mandated reporters are responsible for reporting. Bullying and obesity in youth, while important issues, may not fall under the specific criteria for mandated reporting to Human Services. Therefore, the correct answer is Physical abuse, Sexual abuse, Emotional abuse, and Neglect.

Explanation

Mandated reporters are individuals who are legally obligated to report certain types of abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities, such as Human Services. Physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect are all forms of harm or mistreatment that mandated reporters are responsible for reporting. Bullying and obesity in youth, while important issues, may not fall under the specific criteria for mandated reporting to Human Services. Therefore, the correct answer is Physical abuse, Sexual abuse, Emotional abuse, and Neglect.

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10. What important information should you have available when making a report of suspected abuse or neglect (check all that apply)

Who is the suspected abused and abuser?

What occurred?

Where did the suspected abuse/neglect occur?

When did the suspected abuse/neglect occur?

Child's grade, date of birth, and school of attendance

Name and address of child and caregiver

Statement and content of the child's disclosure

When making a report of suspected abuse or neglect, reporters should have the following information: Information about the student, parent(s), suspected abuser - names, addresses, relationships, phone #s, student’s date of birth, specifics of the observed injury – what does it look like, where is the injury located?

Other information that is important includes: any statements made by the student and the context of the disclosures,where did the incident occur and has it happened in other locations, the child’s grade and school of attendance, history of the child’s behavior, other relevant information regarding the family situation (i.e. attendance history, any disabilities the child may have, etc.), other issues within the family, and why the suspected child abuse/neglect is being reported.

Explanation

When making a report of suspected abuse or neglect, reporters should have the following information: Information about the student, parent(s), suspected abuser - names, addresses, relationships, phone #s, student’s date of birth, specifics of the observed injury – what does it look like, where is the injury located?

Other information that is important includes: any statements made by the student and the context of the disclosures,where did the incident occur and has it happened in other locations, the child’s grade and school of attendance, history of the child’s behavior, other relevant information regarding the family situation (i.e. attendance history, any disabilities the child may have, etc.), other issues within the family, and why the suspected child abuse/neglect is being reported.

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