Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect

Why must I report?

What do I report?

Definition of Child

For purposes of reporting child abuse and neglect, a “child” is a person who is less than 18 years of age.

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.

Signs of physical abuse

• bruises and welts
• injuries in the shape of an object (e.g., a belt or 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• extremes in behavior: very aggressive or withdrawn and shy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

Sexual abuse

Sexual intercourse or sexual touching of a child; recording or displaying of a child engaged in sexually explicit conduct; forcing a child to view or listen to sexual activity; exposing genitals or pubic area to a child or exposing a child’s genitals or pubic area for purposes of sexual gratification; or permitting, allowing, or encouraging a child to engage in prostitution.

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

Note: Sexual abuse does not include consensual sexual contact with anyone 16-17 years old.

Emotional abuse

“Emotional damage” for which the child’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian has neglected, refused or been unable, for reasons other than poverty, to obtain the necessary treatment or take steps to ameliorate the symptoms.

Emotional damage is defined as 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 substantial and observable changes in behavior, emotional response, or learning which are incompatible with the child’s age or stage of development.

Signs of emotional damage

• low self-esteem
• self-denigration
• severe depression
• aggression
• withdrawal
• severe anxiety

Neglect

When a parent or caretaker fails, refuses, or is unable, for reasons other than poverty, to provide the necessary care, food, clothing, medical or dental care, or shelter, which seriously endangers the physical health of the child.

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

Threat of abuse or neglect

Behaviors or conditions a child is exposed to that are dangerous to the child and likely to result in abuse or neglect.

Signs of threatened abuse or neglect

Identify behaviors or conditions that are dangerous or becoming dangerous to a child. Consider the possibility of threatened abuse or neglect when you observe or become aware of the following:

• Minor injuries that are cause for concern, including bruising on a non-mobile child; bruising or scrapes to vulnerable parts of a child’s body; or an escalating pattern of corporal punishment that increases in severity or frequency.
• Exposure to violence, even if a child has not yet been injured, when there is domestic violence or a violent person in the home.
• Exposure to dangerous people or situations, including previous abusers or criminal activity.
• An impaired caregiver, when there is no one else in the home to provide necessary care or protection.

Abuse as manufacturing methamphetamines 

The criminal manufacture of methamphetamines is defined as child abuse when it is done under any of the following circumstances:

•      A child is present.
• It is manufactured in a child’s home, on the premises of a child’s home, or in a motor vehicle on the premises of a child’s home.
• It is manufactured under any other circumstances where a reasonable person should have known that the manufacture would be seen, smelled, or heard by a child.

Signs of exposure to methamphetamine manufacture

Consider the possibility of meth manufacture in a child’s environment when you see or become aware of the following in a child, particularly in combination:

•      painful or burning eyes or eye irritation
• skin irritation and redness or burns
• sneezing and chronic coughing, congestion, or fever
• chest pain, difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath
• vomiting, diarrhea, or nausea
• headaches
• rapid heart rate
• jaundice or dark-colored urine
• extreme irritability

How do I report?

If there is an emergency or a child is in immediate danger, call 911.

To report, contact University Police at 715.839.4972 or police@uwec.edu. They will assist you in making a report.

Additional Campus Reporting Requirement

You fulfill your legal obligation under EO 54 when you report to University Police. In some cases, you must also make an internal campus report. Find instructions in the Additional Campus Reporting Requirement panel below.

Questions?

You may ask questions about your duty to report child abuse or neglect in order to determine if a report is necessary. However, do not delay making a report in order to wait for answers. If you are unsure about making a report, contact:

University Police | 715.836.2222

For general questions about Mandatory Reporting training, other reporting obligations or your responsibilities as a UW–Eau Claire employee or volunteer, contact:

Office of Risk Management, Safety & Sustainability | safety@uwec.edu