DoDDS educators are required by law to report any suspicion of physical, emotional or sexual abuse or neglect to Family Advocacy. Listed below are indicators which when they occur repeatedly or in combination may signal possible abuse or neglect. No such report is ever made lightly or without serious consideration of the implications.
We believe that every child has the right to be safe from physical or emotional harm and to be properly cared for and to feel accepted at home and at school. As educators we are advocates for children and want to work with parents to insure the best environment and childhood for every child entrusted to us.
Signs of Possible Physical Abuse:
1. Bruises, welts on face, neck, chest or back.
2. Injuries in the shape of an object (belt, cord).
3. Unexplained burns on palms, soles, back.
4. Extremes in behavior – very shy and withdrawn or very aggressive.
Signs of Possible Emotional Abuse:
1. Low self-esteem
2. Self-denigration
3. Aggression
5. Severe anxiety
Signs of Possible Neglect:
1. Children inappropriately dressed for the weather.
2. Poor hygiene, odor.
3. Children who do not receive medical or dental care, glasses or hearing aids, even though parents are aware of the problem and financially able to solve it.
4. Children left alone, unsupervised for long periods.
5. Failure to thrive, malnutrition.
6. Constant hunger; begs or steals food.
7. Extreme willingness to please.
8. Frequent absences from school.
9. Arrives early and stays late at school or play areas or other people’s homes.