虐待和忽视儿童是早期护理和教育的一个严重问题。一节课不能教会你所需要知道的一切。您将在标题为“虐待儿童：预防”和“虐待儿童：识别和报告”的课程中了解更多信息。本课程将为您提供有关该主题的基本介绍。

As a teacher or caregiver, you are a "mandated reporter." This means that you are legally bound to report your suspicions of child abuse or neglect. It is your job to know the signs and make the call that could save a child's life. This lesson will give you information to help you do your job.

Know

Infants and toddlers are at higher risk for abuse. Because the early years set the stage for emotional and social development, infants and toddlers are in the greatest danger of long-term damage. Language and cognitive skills and a child's physical health can all be affected.

Causes of Abuse

There is no excuse or reason for a child to be abused. Abuse often happens when adults:

• Are under stress
• 相信孩子能做的比他们有能力of doing
• Think threats and punishments are the only way to get children to behave or do want the adults want them to do
• Don't take into account the child's age or situation in applying discipline

What is Child Abuse and Neglect?

Child abuse includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. The American Academy of Pediatrics has brief definitions of each:

See

Introduction to Child Abuse and Neglect

虐待和忽视儿童：婴幼儿

Physical and Behavioral Indicators of Abuse

每种类型的虐待都有可能发生虐待的信号。虐待的迹象可以是身体上的迹象，如不明原因的瘀伤或受伤、未经治疗的疾病、长期饥饿或体重明显偏低。指标也可以是情绪化的。情绪指标的例子包括过度哭泣、对父母或负责任的成年人过度恐惧、极端行为（退缩、攻击）和习惯障碍（摇摆、撞头）。

摇晃婴儿综合征

Shaken baby syndrome describes the signs and symptoms resulting from violent shaking or shaking and impact on the head of an infant or small child. Violent shaking results in brain tissue and blood vessels being torn and blood pooling around the brain. (Source:www.dontshake.org)

Brain damage associated with shaking can have lifelong consequences: cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, behavior and physical disabilities, language and hearing impairments. All these can be severe and life altering. Shaken baby syndrome also can result in death.

摇晃婴儿综合征的常见症状

Shaken baby Syndrome has various signs and symptoms. It is important to know the symptoms and seek immediate medical attention if you think a child has been shaken. It could save a child's life. Signs and symptoms listed by the国家摇动婴儿综合征研究中心包括：

• 昏睡
• Decreased muscle tone
• Extreme irritability
• Decreased appetite, poor feeding, or vomiting for no apparent reason
• No smiling or vocalization
• Poor sucking or swallowing
• 僵硬或装腔作势
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures
• Head or forehead appears larger than usual or soft-spot on head appears to be bulging
• Inability to lift head
• Inability of eyes to focus or track movement
• Unequal size of pupils
• Grab-type bruises on arms or chest are possible but rare.

Do

防止虐待

Everyone experiences stress but everyone handles stress differently. It is important to help build awareness about child abuse and neglect in your program and community. It’s when stress is handled inappropriately that the risk of abuse increases. At the family level, abuse is most likely to occur in families that are socially isolated. It is also most likely to occur in families that have experienced other forms of domestic violence, like violence against a spouse or partner. Children of families experiencing stress from frequently moving around, poor parent-child relationships, and other negative interactions are at greater risk.

你和你的同事也可能经历着和家人一样的压力。如果你遇到一个成年人，他或她似乎正在失去控制，你应该立即确保孩子在一个安全的地方，并鼓励成人走开，深呼吸几次。大人不应该在没有冷静下来的情况下与孩子互动。把一个哭闹的婴儿放在婴儿床里，而让成人安静下来是可以的。请记住，必须始终对儿童进行监督，以确保他们的安全。如果你或其他人在危难时刻需要帮助，请致电他人寻求帮助：同事、朋友或邻居（如果你在家）、当地防止虐待儿童热线或911。

If you think a parent, family member or any adult responsible for care of a child is having trouble coping, is overly frustrated, or is visibly angry with a child, don’t ignore the situation. Share your concerns with the person if you feel comfortable doing so; or contact your supervisor. As a teacher, you are legally required to make a report even if you are not sure there has been abuse. Your job is not to investigate, but rather report your suspicions. Be careful about making assumptions; your job is to report so qualified personnel can do the rest.

Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect in Your Program

It is likely that your program already has processes in place to prevent child abuse. Many newer facilities are built with vision panels so individuals can see into the classroom from the hallway and outside. Restrooms are built with low barriers rather than doors. Closed-circuit surveillance cameras, visitor sign-in procedures, and daily health checks are all part of a comprehensive system for preventing child abuse.

YourPUBLIC程序'schild guidance and touch policy helps keep children safe. Never use harsh discipline practices. The following practices should never be used:

• 打、打或其他物理手段
• Isolation from adult sight
• 禁闭、约束、羞辱或辱骂
• Deprivation of food, outdoor play, or other program components

There is also a lot you can do in your classroom. Good room arrangement and design is your first step. Make sure there are no blind spots in the room. You need to be able to see all children at all times. Be aware of the behaviors you heard described in the video. If you notice an adult acting strangely, act on your suspicions. Use the checklist provided in the Apply section to make sure you are doing all you can to keep children safe.

Reporting Suspected Abuse

All professionals working with children are mandated reporters. You have a legal responsibility to report signs of possible abuse or maltreatment and known abuse. If you are not sure abuse has occurred, but you suspect it, you must contact legal authorities. You are responsible for reporting even if a supervisor indicates you don’t need to or says someone else will do it. An important reason for letting your supervisor know of your suspicions is so they can report it to their chain of command. When you report in good faith, you may do so confidentially and you are protected by law.

如果您怀疑虐待或忽视，您可以拨打儿童帮助全国儿童虐待热线1-800-4-A-Child（1-800-422-4453）。这条线随时可用，可以帮助您找到紧急资源。

Follow all procedures required at your place of employment.

What to Expect after the Call

Reporting suspected child abuse or neglect can be a stressful event for teachers. It is important to mentally prepare yourself for what happens after the call.

In most states, your report will be evaluated by Child Protective Services. If there is enough evidence to warrant an investigation, a caseworker will initiate the investigation. Children, families, and caregivers may be contacted and interviewed. Child Protective Services will determine whether the claim is substantiated and whether the child is safe in the home. If the report of abuse involves alleged criminal acts, law enforcement will be contacted and the investigation will be conducted jointly.

当被指控的施暴者是你的同事之一时，举报涉嫌虐待和忽视的案件尤其困难。你可能会怀疑自己或质疑你所看到的。你可能会担心那个人或其他员工会如何对待你。你可能害怕公众的关注或损害你项目的声誉。你甚至可能被同事或领导劝阻不去报道。记住，保护孩子的安全和为孩子说话是你的工作。相信你的直觉。如果你怀疑有虐待或疏忽行为，请报告。

It is important to prepare yourself emotionally for what follows a report. First, understand that you may never hear back about the results of your report. Second, some families remove their child from the program after a report of child abuse or neglect. Both of these events are normal and can be expected. Some teachers fear that making a report may get the child in trouble and may lead to more abuse. Remember you have done the right thing. Do not let fear of what might happen next stop you from doing what you can to protect the child.

最后，照顾好自己。保护一个正在经历创伤的孩子可能是一个让人筋疲力尽、让人心力交瘁的经历。你很可能对这个孩子的健康和安全非常投入。你可能花了好几个小时担心这个孩子的健康，想知道该怎么办。你可以在你的项目中寻求心理健康专家的帮助。找时间和朋友和家人在一起。你还应该确保保持健康的习惯，如良好的饮食，锻炼和睡眠。

当涉及到虐待和忽视儿童时，务必做到以下几点：

• Know the signs of child abuse and neglect in the home.
• Know the signs of child abuse and neglect in your program.
• 保护自己免受虐待儿童的指控。
• 向家庭提供资源，以防止虐待和忽视。
• Know the procedures for reporting child abuse in your workplace or community.