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Policy in Regard to Child Abuse

According to a January, 1990 Children's Defense Fund report, 1,849 children are abused or neglected every 24 hours. Four thousand children die from abuse each year. Child abuse leads to emotional and relational damage which sets the stage for abuse in the next generation.

Defining Child Abuse
Child abuse falls into two categories:

The abuse of a child is an act of commission. An abused child is one whose parent, immediate family member, any individual residing in the same home, or any other person who is responsible for the child's welfare inflicts upon or creates a substantial non-accidental risk of physical or emotional injury to the child, commits a sex offense against the child, commits torture or inflicts excessive corporal punishment upon the child. Abuse represents an action against a child.

The neglect of a child is an act of omission. The neglected child is one whose parents or other person responsible for the child's welfare fails to provide the child with the necessary care and support such as nourishment, medical care, education as required by law, clothing and shelter or who is abandoned. Neglect is failure to act on behalf of a child.

Avoiding the Appearance of Child Abuse

1. Share all disciplinary actions with your fellow teachers. Discipline techniques and procedures should not go beyond those described in the discipline procedure section.

2. Share with parents and document any out of the ordinary observations or conduct.

3. Avoid the appearance of evil by following these policies:

Classroom Policy
There should always be two adults with the children at all times.

Diaper Changing Policy
Unless otherwise directed by the parents, the children in the infant nursery will be changed by adult female, screened workers during the last half of the teaching unless there is an earlier need. The children in the one-year nursery will be checked and changed by adult female, screened workers if needed during the last half of the teaching. The children in the two-year nursery will be changed by adult female, screened workers only if there is an obvious need.

Bathroom Policy
Children Ages Two through Preschool
As needed, two female teachers will direct the child to the bathroom. Unless a child is in obvious need, no teacher should go inside the bathroom with any child. If the child needs help, a screened female will help while another teacher watches or stands by.

Children Grades Kindergarten through Five
A teacher may allow one child at a time to go to the bathroom. If the child does not return in three minutes, the teacher should go to get the child.

Identifying Potential Child Abuse
To question a child for an explanation of bruises, cuts, burns, etc., ask direct questions such as, "How did you get that?" or "What happened?" Do not ask leading questions such as "Did your daddy do this to you?"

Respond with comfort and questions when a child appears inappropriately upset in the classroom. For example: "Are you sad?" "What makes you feel so sad, angry, etc.?" Be aware that children who have been abused will often avoid giving you a straight answer.

• They may attempt to protect the one who hurt them.
• They may fear retaliation.
• They may distrust you and your motives.
• Their level of anxiety may lead them to give you several different stories.
• If they have been abused, they may fear you also and say what they think that you want to hear. Avoid asking leading questions.

Be aware of signs of poor hygiene, poor or inappropriate clothing, and unattended physical problems or needs that might indicate neglect or abandonment such as chronic body odor or dirty clothing. Be sensitive to families who are impoverished.

Reach out to the child who indicates an inordinate fear of relationships either through class contact or in play or artistic expression. Be a friend.

Protecting the Child
Who is required by Ohio Law to Report Abuse or Neglect?
Any attorney, physician, including a hospital intern or resident, dentist, podiatrist, practitioner of a limited branch of medicine or surgery, registered or licensed practical nurse, visiting nurse, or other health care professional, licensed psychologist, speech pathologist or audiologist, coroner, administrator or employee of a child daycare center, or administrator or employee of a certified child care agency or other public or private children services agency, school teacher or school authority, social worker, or person rendering spiritual treatment through prayer in accordance with tenets of a well recognized religion, acting in his official or professional capacity having reason to believe that a child less than eighteen years of age or any crippled or otherwise physically or mentally handicapped child under twenty-one years of age has suffered any wound, injury, disability, or condition of such a nature as to reasonably indicate abuse or neglect of the child shall immediately report or cause reports to be make of such information according to the Ohio Revised Code, Section 2151.421.

Oasis Procedures for Suspected Child Abuse

1. Be aware. Practice the principles of identification (see above).

2. Respond to the child's pain. Avoid overt reactions of disgust, shock, or anger.

3. Get basic information from registration card (name, address, phone, parent or guardian name) and any written observations you may have from that day or over a period of time. Written observations and data are very helpful in substantiating an objective case of abuse. Remember that objectivity is your friend especially in a potentially emotional situation. You need to be clear on what the child disclosed.

4. Contact your CT Director and give him/her the information.

5. The CT Director will contact the CT Administrator, who will determine what, if any, further action is needed.

6. Keep this information confidential, on a need to know basis only. The law of immunity may not protect those who disclose the report or its contents to anyone other than the children's services or municipal or county peace officer in the county in which the child resides or county in which the abuse or neglect occurred.

Role of Physical Contact
Touch is a powerful and important tool in working with children. It has the power to communicate warmth, concern, and care to a child. When used with common sense and concern for the child's benefit, it enhances trust and safety in a relationship while affirming and reciprocating the child's worth as a person. Healthy touch needs to be a conscious choice.

When touch is misused, it can become destructive to the child. The most common form of misuse is touching a child for your benefit rather than the child's. All of us remember hiding from "Aunt Mary" at family reunions lest we be smothered with hugs that we did not want. Certainly, "Aunt Mary" meant no harm, but her action made us want to avoid her. This creates confusion in the child and a subtle sense of violation. It will also tend to make you an "unsafe" person in the child's eyes. The misuse of touch is usually random and haphazard, with little thought given to the action. The exposure you have to the children in this program is limited. You should not attempt to be a surrogate parent for the children. Simply provide a warm, caring environment in which they can learn and grow. And pray that the children will learn to trust and depend on Christ.

Every child is different and comes from a variety of backgrounds. There is no way to know in the brief time you are with them what is happening at home. Therefore, the principles mentioned here should be modified for each child. Some may want and need more touch, while others will appear visibly afraid of any potential touching. Respect the children's boundaries and focus on what they are telling you through their actions.

Appropriate touch is

• non-demanding, gentle, aware
• shoulders, hands, arms, head, back
• sitting a young child on leg or lap in a lighted room with one or more adults present.

Inappropriate touch includes

• kissing a child
• demanding or initiating hugs
• touching chest, genital region, upper legs, buttocks
• sitting child in center of your lap, in a darkened room or when no other workers are present
• "piggyback" rides.

To avoid physical injuries,

• never grab a child by any joint
• never spin a child by their limbs
• never toss a child.

Failure to Comply with Guidelines
Failure to comply with the above guidelines will result in disciplinary action, which could include the dismissal from the Oasis ministry team and prohibition from volunteer roles in other Xenos student ministries.

Any concerns about the inappropriateness of the behavior of any volunteer should be directed to the Lead Teacher or Nursery Coordinator who will talk with the CT Director and the CT Administrator.