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Plan For Addressing Sexual Abuse Of Children

Plan Contents:

I. Methods for increasing awareness regarding sexual abuse of children for

Teachers
Students
Parents

II. Likely warning signs indicating that a child may be a victim of sexual abuse, using resources developed by the agency under Section 38.004.

III. Actions that a child who is a victim of sexual abuse should take to obtain assistance.

IV. Available counseling options for students affected by sexual abuse.

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I.A. Methods for increasing awareness regarding sexual abuse of children for teachers:

Teachers will be trained annually in all content areas addressed in the Winfree Academy Charter Schools (WACS) Plan for Addressing Sexual Abuse of Children. Training may be provided through campus staff, administration staff, or outside agencies as appropriate at the discretion of campus administration.

I.B. Methods for increasing awareness regarding sexual abuse of children for students:

The Mental Health Coordinator will address awareness regarding sexual abuse of children with learners in grades 9-12 no less than once per year.

I.C. Methods for increasing awareness regarding sexual abuse of children for parents:

Information concerning WACS' Plan for Addressing Sexual Abuse of Children will be posted in school newsletters. The following information will be included in the Learner Resource Guide which is made available online on the Winfree Academy website: www.winfreeacademy.com. As an educator and/or parent, it is important for you to be aware of warning signs that could indicate a child may have been or is being sexually abused. Sexual abuse in the Texas Family Code is defined as any sexual conduct harmful to a child’s mental, emotional, or physical welfare as well as a failure to make a reasonable effort to prevent sexual conduct with a child. Anyone who suspects that a child has been or may be abused or neglected has a legal responsibility, under state law, for reporting the suspected abuse or neglect to law enforcement or to Child Protective Services (CPS).

Possible physical warning signs of sexual abuse could be difficulty sitting or walking, pain in the genital areas, and claims of stomachaches and headaches. Behavioral indicators may include verbal references or pretend games of sexual activity between adults and children, fear of being alone with adults of a particular gender, or sexually suggestive behavior. Emotional warning signs to be aware of include withdrawal, depression, sleeping and eating disorders, and problems in school.

A child who has experienced sexual abuse should be encouraged to seek out a trusted adult. Be aware as a parent or other trusted adult that disclosures of sexual abuse may be more indirect than disclosures of physical abuse, and it is important to be calm and comforting if your child, or another child, confides in you. Reassure the child that he or she did the right thing by telling you.

As a parent, if your child is a victim of sexual abuse, the campus counselor or principal will provide information regarding counseling options for you and your child available in your area.

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) also manages early intervention counseling programs. To find out what services may be available in your county, see http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/PreventionandEarlyIntervention/ProgramsAvailableInYour_County/default.asp.

The following websites might help you become more aware of child sexual abuse:

Reports may be made to:

The Child Protective Services (CPS) division of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (1 800-252-5400 or on the Web at http://www.txabusehotline.org).

II. Likely warning signs indicating that a child may be a victim of sexual abuse, using resources developed by the agency under Section 38.004

§ 38.004. CHILD ABUSE REPORTING AND PROGRAMS. (a) The agency shall develop a policy governing the child abuse reports required by Chapter 261, Family Code, of school districts and their employees. The policy must provide for cooperation with law enforcement child abuse investigations without the consent of the child's parents if necessary, including investigations by the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services. Each school district shall adopt the policy.(b) Each school district shall provide child abuse antivictimization programs in elementary and secondary schools. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, § 1, eff. May 30, 1995.

Texas Education Agency resources under this section can be found at https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/health-safety-discipline/child-abuse-prevention/child-abuse-prevention-overview.

Possible Psychological and Behavioral Signs of Sexual Child Abuse:

Changes in sleeping patterns
Bedwetting
Nightmares or bad dreams
Depression, irritability, or anger
Low self-esteem, guilt, shame
Avoidance of people or places
Sexual advances or "touching" inappropriately
Sexual drawings
Changes in socialization (social withdrawal or social isolation)

Possible Physical Symptoms

Pregnancy
Venereal Disease
Trauma to the mouth or genitals
Rectal bleeding
Pain around the genital area
Poor appetite
Weight loss or weight gain

Warning Signs in Children and Adolescents of Possible Child Sexual Abuse

Any one sign doesn't mean that a child was sexually abused, but the presence of several suggests that you begin asking questions and consider seeking help. Keep in mind that some of these signs can emerge at other times of stress such as:

During a divorce
Death of a family member or pet
Problems at school or with friends
Other anxiety-inducing or traumatic events

Behavior you may see in a child or adolescent

Has nightmares or other sleep problems without an explanation
Seems distracted or distant at odd times
Has a sudden change in eating habits, refuses to eat, loses or drastically increases appetite or has trouble swallowing.
Sudden mood swings: rage, fear, insecurity or withdrawal
Leaves “clues” that seem likely to provoke a discussion about sexual issues
Writes, draws, plays or dreams of sexual or frightening images
Develops new or unusual fear of certain people or places
Refuses to talk about a secret shared with an adult or older child
Talks about a new older friend
Suddenly has money, toys or other gifts without reason
Thinks of self or body as repulsive, dirty or bad
Exhibits adult-like sexual behaviors, language and knowledge

Signs more typical of younger children

An older child behaving like a younger child (such as bed-wetting or thumb sucking)
Has new words for private body parts
Resists removing clothes when appropriate times (bath, bed, toileting, diapering)
Asks other children to behave sexually or play sexual games
Mimics adult-like sexual behaviors with toys or stuffed animal
Wetting and soiling accidents unrelated to toilet training

Signs more typical in adolescents

Self-injury (cutting, burning)
Inadequate personal hygiene
Drug and alcohol abuse
Sexual promiscuity
Running away from home
Depression, anxiety
Suicide attempts
Fear of intimacy or closeness
Compulsive eating or dieting

Physical warning signs

Physical signs of sexual abuse are rare. If you see these signs, contact a counselor or administrator immediately.

Pain, discoloration, bleeding or discharges in genitals, anus or mouth
Persistent or recurring pain during urination and bowel movements
Wetting and soiling accidents unrelated to toilet training

Suspect physical abuse when you see...

Frequent injuries such as bruises, cuts, black eyes or burns, especially when the child cannot adequately explain their causes
Burns or bruises in an unusual pattern that may indicate the use of an instrument or a human bite; cigarette burns on any part of the body
Frequent complaints of pain without obvious injury
Aggressive, disruptive and destructive behavior
Lack of reaction to pain
Passive, withdrawn, emotionless behavior
Fear of going home or seeing parents
Injuries that appear after the child has not been seen for several days
Unseasonable clothes that may hide injuries to arms or legs

Suspect neglect when you see...

Obvious malnourishment
Lack of personal cleanliness
Torn and/or dirty clothes
Obvious fatigue and listlessness
A child unattended for long periods of time
Need for glasses, dental care or other medical attention
Stealing or begging for food
Frequent absence or tardiness from school

III. Actions that a child who is a victim of sexual abuse should take to obtain assistance

In student awareness sessions concerning sexual abuse issues referenced in section I.B. of this plan, students will be encouraged to tell a trusted adult in a private and confidential conversation if they have been a victim of sexual abuse or have been in situations which make them feel uncomfortable in any way. Adults will be trained as addressed in section I.C. of this plan to take appropriate actions to help the child obtain assistance and to follow proper reporting procedures. Older students will also be provided with local crises hotline numbers to obtain assistance.

IV. Available counseling options for students affected by sexual abuse

Advocacy Center for Crime Victims & Children
The Children’s Advocacy Center is a centralized clearing house for investigation of suspected sexual and physical abuse. CAC provides a safe nurturing place for children to tell their stories.
The Victims Center responds immediately to survivors of violence through hotline advocacy and therapeutic services. While seventy percent of those served by the program are affected by sexual assault, the agency works with all victims of all crimes.

When You Suspect Child Abuse or Neglect: A General Guide

We all have the responsibility to protect our children from harm. If you suspect the abuse or neglect of a child, it is your duty to report it immediately.

Anyone having cause to believe that a child's physical or mental health or welfare has been or may be adversely affected by abuse or neglect MUST report the case immediately to a state or local law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).

DFPS has a toll-free, 24-hour Family Violence Hotline: 1-800-252-5400

Your legal obligation

Current law requires that professionals such as teachers, doctors, nurses, or child daycare workers must make a verbal report within 48 hours. Failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment of up to 180 days and/or a fine of up to $2,000 (Texas Family Code, Chapter 261).

Reporting suspected child abuse to your principal, school counselor or superintendent will NOT satisfy your obligation under this law. Local school district policy cannot conflict with or supercede the state law requiring you to report child abuse to a law enforcement agency or DFPS.

Your legal protection

Your report of child abuse or neglect is confidential and immune from civil or criminal liability as long as the report is made in "good faith" and "without malice."

In good faith means that the person making the report took reasonable steps to learn facts that were readily available and at hand. Without malice means that the person did not intend to injure or violate the rights of another person. Provided these two conditions are met, you will also be immune from liability if you are asked to participate in any judicial proceedings that might result from your report.

If you suspect abuse:

DON'T try to investigate
DON'T confront the abuser
DO report your reasonable suspicions

It is not up you to determine whether your suspicions are true. A trained investigator will evaluate the child's situation. Even if your report does not bring decisive action, it may help establish a pattern that will eventually be clear enough to help the child.

A disclosure

If you are the first person the child tells about sexual abuse, your testimony as "outcry witness" may be especially important in future legal proceedings. What you say the child told you is not considered hearsay but is admissible evidence in a trial involving a sexual offense against a child. This exception applies only to the first person the child approaches.