Physical Abuse: Is non-accidental, serious physical injury of a child, including beatings, burns, bites, strangulation, or immersion in scalding water resulting in bruises, welts, broken bones, scars, or serious internal injuries. Watch for unexplained bruises, bites, black eyes, broken bones, fading bruises, or other noticeable marks. Sexual Abuse: Is sexual contact between a child and an adult or older child for the sexual gratification of the offender.

Nursing home abuse and/or neglect can involve not only the physical well-being of the resident, but also the mental, and/or psychological well-being of the resident as well. Nursing home abuse and/or neglect can take many forms, all of which are too numerous to list. The following, however, represent common examples of nursing home abuse and/or neglect: The foregoing list is only intended to set forth common examples of abuse and neglect. This list is by no means exhaustive. Return to FAQ menu.

State and federal laws define what forms of child abuse and neglect must be reported to authorities. These definitions vary from state to state. The CWLA Standards for Services for Abused or Neglected Children and Their Families provide the following generally accepted definitions of child maltreatment: Physical Abuse. Physical acts by parents or caregivers that cause, or could have caused, physical injury to the child. Neglect.

In 2001, Child Protective Service (CPS) agencies investigated more than 3.25 million reports of child abuse and neglect throughout the United States. This is an increase of 2 percent from the previous year. Teachers, law enforcement officers, social service workers and physicians made 56 percent of the reports.

Suspected abuse or neglect of children may be reported 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at (215) 683-6100 (TTY), or to the State Hotline, at (800) 932-0313.

The reasons for this drop in both the number of children reported and in the number of cases where abuse or neglect was substantiated probably varies from state to state. In some jurisdictions, it may be the result of changes in state policies or procedures for handling child abuse reports rather than an actual decrease in the number of children reported and maltreated.

Every day, nearly four children die because of abuse and neglect; 1,400 such deaths occurred in 2002. Children younger than one year accounted for 41.2% of these fatalities, and 76.1% of the children who died were younger than 4. Many experts believe the number of abuse- and neglect-related deaths may be much higher than the official figures.

The Department of Children's Services encourages everyone to report suspected child abuse and neglect. The exception is those professions that have an inherent responsibility to report by virtue of their positions, and thus they are mandated to report suspected child abuse and neglect. Mandated reporters are those individuals who in the course of their work come in contact with families and children. The following professionals are Mandated reporters (Penal Code Section 11165.

Ohio statistics show more than half of all reports of elder abuse involve elderly who abuse or neglect themselves. This often happens among elderly who live alone. Elderly persons may keep living alone even though it places them at risk. They may refuse or be unable to move to the home of a child or relative or to a nursing home. This presents a problem for family and friends.

A As used in Title 19 Children's Code of the Colorado Revised Statutes, "Abuse" or "child abuse or neglect", as used in part 3 of article 3 of this title, means an act or omission in one of the following categories that threatens the health or welfare of a child: Any case in which a child exhibits evidence of skin bruising, bleeding, malnutrition, failure to thrive, burns, fracture of any bone, subdural hematoma, soft tissue swelling, or death and either: Such condition or death is not justifiab.

In Siskiyou County, call the Child Abuse Hotline at (530) 842-7009. You can also contact the Children's Services office at (530) 841-4200 during regular business hours. If you suspect a child is in immediate danger, call law enforcement at 911. If the abuse is occurring in another county or state, call the child protective services agency for that area.

Government CPS agencies, law enforcement, and the courts all carry statutory mandates to respond to the concerns of abused and neglected children and their families. Other government services, including certain public assistance programs, mental health, juvenile justice, public health, and substance abuse supplement the work of these mandated agencies. Community-based programs provide placements for abused and neglected children and their parents.

Elder abuse is a term that refers to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm, or a serious risk of harm, to a vulnerable adult. In California, anyone age 65 or older is protected by a special set of laws called The Elder Adult and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act ("The Elder Abuse Act"), which is a powerful set of laws designed to help prevent neglect and abuse to California seniors. (Welf & I C 15600 et seq.

If you suspect abuse or neglect of a child it should be reported to Arizona Child Protective Services at 1-888-767-2445.

You can call our Cruelty line at 407-351-7722, extension 275 or you may e-mail your concern to investigate@ohs-spca.org.

Occasionally, a mandated reporter may be called upon to testify in court. It is rare for a non-mandated reporter to become involved in the court process.

You should immediately notify your service coordinator of your concerns. There are specific statutory requirements under which the regional office operates and responds to allegations of abuse and/or neglect. Each regional office has trained investigators who respond immediately to these circumstances.

While one sign does not necessarily indicate abuse, some tell-tale signs that there could be a problem are: Bruises, pressure marks, broken bones, abrasions, and burns may be an indication of physical abuse, neglect, or mistreatment. Unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, a sudden change in alertness, and unusual depression may be indicators of emotional abuse. Bedsores, unattended medical needs, poor hygiene, and unusual weight loss are indicators of possible neglect.

Each one of us has a responsibility to keep vulnerable elders safe from harm. The laws in most states require helping professions in the front lines -- such as doctors, nurses, and home health providers -- to report suspected abuse or neglect. These professionals are called mandated reporters. Call the Police or 911 immediately if someone you know is in immediate, life-threatening danger.

Educating seniors, professionals, caregivers, and the public on abuse is critical to prevention. Reporting suspected abuse is also extremely important. Moreover, filing lawsuits against the perpetrators of elder abuse can be one of the biggest deterrents to a neglectful or bad nursing home or long term care facility.

In a nutshell: know the warning signs of abuse, visit your loved one often and with open eyes, report suspected abuse, and get involved. Knowing the warning signs of abuse is a first step toward protecting elders. If your loved one is in a nursing home, skilled nursing home, assisted living facility, board and care, or other long-term care facility for the elderly, visit them often. And keep a watchful eye out for loved ones who may be vulnerable.

Nursing home abuse can include, but is not limited to: physical abuse, rape or sexual assault, over-sedation, and verbal or emotional abuse. Neglect can consist of failure to provide clean and adequate clothing and bed linens, denial of proper nutrition and medical care for physical and mental health needs, protection from other resident abuse, and protection from all health and safety hazards.

When children are abused, they have been seriously hurt, either physically or emotionally. This may also include any type of sexual abuse. When children are neglected, they have not received proper care or supervision. This may include children who do not receive necessary medical attention, who are inadequately fed or clothed, or who are inappropriately disciplined.