3.2
We Care...
by knowing the types and signs of child abuse and neglect
Serious Mental Injury
Defined by PA law as: An act or failure to act* which causes nonaccidental serious mental injury of a child under the age of 18 years old. Serious Mental Injury CAN result in a child being diagnosed as anxious, agitated, depressed, socially withdrawn, in reasonable fear of his/her life or safety, or with the inability to accomplish age-appropriate developmental and/or social tasks.
*Does not need to be recent to be required to report.
What it could look like:
There is a boy who is exhibiting disruptive behavior, constantly out of his seat, talking loudly and bullying the other campers. Other campers tell him to sit down and be quiet, but you hear him curse at those kids and call them derogatory and racist names. When you intervene and remove the child from the classroom to speak to him, he tells you that he thinks it's okay to talk this way. Upset, he explains, "What's wrong with the way I talk? My dad talks to me like that. He always tells me I am a worthless piece of crap. He says I should kill myself and end his suffering. Maybe I should. I hate this camp."
Signs of Serious Mental Injury
While the signs of Serious Mental Injury are not as clear as those of Physical Injury, signs are often recognized as verbal abuse or emotional abuse that results in Serious Mental Injury.
Examples of emotional child abuse include:
- Constant belittling, shaming, and humiliating a child
- Calling names and making negative comparisons to others
- Telling a child he or she is "no good," "worthless," "bad," or "a mistake"
- Frequent yelling, threatening, or bullying
- Ignoring or rejecting a child as punishment, giving him or her the silent treatment
- Limited physical contact with the child — no hugs, kisses, or other signs of affection
- Exposing the child to violence or the abuse of others, whether it be the abuse of a parent, a sibling, or even a pet